Reni Santoni (April 21, 1939 – August 1, 2020) was an American film, television and voice actor. He was noted for playing Poppie on the television sitcom Seinfeld. He also played Chico González in Dirty Harry.
His first leading role was as a young actor in Enter Laughing. He went on to play Inspector “Chico” González in the 1971 film Dirty Harry. His character uttered the memorable phrase, “No wonder they call him Dirty Harry; [he] always gets the shit end of the stick”. Other film roles included Carl Reiner’s comedic homage to the film noir genre, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), as prison official Ramon Herrera in Bad Boys (1983), and as Detective Tony Gonzales in the action film Cobra (1986).
Santoni made guest appearances on television shows such as Barnaby Jones, Lou Grant, Hawaii Five-O, Hardcastle and McCormick, Hill Street Blues, The Odd Couple and Midnight Caller. In 1973, Santoni played a junior partner on Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law.
Reni Santoni cause of death
Santoni died on August 1, 2020, at a hospice in Los Angeles at the age of 81. He had several health issues during his last years, including battling cancer. Santoni passed away from natural causes.
Seinfeld – Poppie’s a little sloppy
Seinfeld – Poppie
Seinfeld – Kramer and Papi Pizza Debate