Cause of death Liver cancer Occupation Actor Spouse Nancy Dye (m. 1990–2006) | Years active 1976–2006 Children Nicolette Regina Name Paul Regina | |
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Siblings Julie Schindler, Christina Alam, Joyce Regina, Patrick Regina Parents Paul Joseph Regina, Irma Manjarrez Movies and TV shows | ||
Paul Regina (October 25, 1956 – January 31, 2006) was an American actor. Primarily known for his work on television, he made his debut in that medium on the series Police Woman, starring Angie Dickinson. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Cliff Waters in the series Brothers. Other notable appearances include a recurring role in L.A. Law, a regular role in the 1993 The Untouchables television series, and starring in the 1996 film It's My Party.
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Background
Regina was born on October 25, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York. One of five children, his father, Paul Joseph Regina, was a tradesman; his mother, Irma (née Manjarrez), worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He grew up in Medford, New York, and graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1974. He married Nancy Dye, a teacher of one of his improv workshops, in 1990; they had a daughter, Nicolette.
After living in Hollywood for more than 20 years, he returned to Long Island in 1999.
Career
Regina began working professionally on stage in an off-Broadway production of The World of Sholom Alecheim in 1976. He played Kenickie in a national touring company of the musical Grease, and later appeared briefly in the Broadway production. He appeared in several additional plays in both Los Angeles and New York City throughout his career.
He began appearing on television in either 1976 or 1978 (sources disagree) in the series Police Woman. He had starring roles in the television series Joe & Valerie from 1978 to 1979 with Char Fontane and Zorro and Son in 1983 with Henry Darrow.
He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of gay sibling Cliff Waters, with Robert Walden and Brandon Maggart as his two brothers, and Philip Charles MacKenzie as his best friend, in Showtime's groundbreaking 80s sitcom "Brothers," which was the first American sitcom with homosexual main character that dealt with a homosexuality in a real way. The show ran from 1984 until 1989.
He appeared in several made-for-television movies and had guest appearances on a variety of television series. He also had a recurring role in six episodes of L.A. Law as attorney Felix Echeverria, from 1988 to 1992, and went on to appear in fifteen episodes of the 1993–1994 series The Untouchables, playing Frank Nitti, one of Al Capone's top henchmen.
As a writer, he co-wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film Marie with its director, Fred Carpenter. He also penned the 2006 film Eddie Monroe, co-writing the screenplay with Fred Carpenter, Craig Weintraub (writing as Craig Morris), and Thom Ross. He was one of three screenwriters (the others being Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro) for Just Like Joe, released in 2008. He collaborated again with Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro on the story for the 2011 film Jesse, released after his death.
Death
Regina died on January 31, 2006, in Smithtown, New York, of liver cancer. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Dye, and daughter, Nicolette. He is also survived by his mother; a brother, Pat Regina; and three sisters, Joyce Regina, Julie Schindler, and Christina Alam.