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Eddie Mekka
Mekka in 2005
Born	Edward Rudolph Mekjian (1952-06-14)June 14, 1952 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	November 27, 2021(2021-11-27) (aged 69) Newhall, Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–2018
Spouses	DeLee Lively ​ ​(m. 1983; div. 1992)​ Yvonne Marie Grace ​(m. 1994)​
Children	1

Edward Rudolph Mekjian (June 14, 1952 – November 27, 2021), known professionally as Eddie Mekka, was an American actor, best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the hit television sitcom Laverne & Shirley.

Early life

Mekka was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Mariam (née Apkarian), a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker. His family was of Armenian and Italian descent. His father was a World War II veteran. He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music.

Career

In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing. After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award, he moved to Los Angeles. He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa for Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until its 1983 cancellation.

Mekka starred in roughly 50 TV shows and movies throughout his career. His television credits included 24, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Bold and the Beautiful, and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox television movie Catch Me If You Can. He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1992 film, A League of Their Own as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar.

Onstage, he performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in a national tour of Grease with Cindy Williams. Mekka returned to off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre.

Mekka had regular solo singing performances for many years from the 1990s into the 2000s throughout the Naples and the Fort Lauderdale, Florida areas.

Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You.

In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days.

In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20.

Personal life

Mekka was married to actress DeLee Lively from 1983 to 1992. He married Yvonne Marie Grace in 1994. Together they had one daughter, Mia.

Mekka died in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California, on November 27, 2021, at the age of 69.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

1. ^ Gates, Anita (5 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, a Star of 'Laverne & Shirley,' is Dead at 69". The New York Times.
2. Smith, Kat (February 22, 2013). "Eddie Mekka: One-Man Show". Naples Illustrated. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
3. O'Donnell, Monica M. (September 1985). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Cengage Gale. ISBN 9780810302419.
4. Kappes, Serena (February 4, 2003). "Former 'Laverne & Shirley' star Eddie Mekka still singing, dancing". CNN. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
5. ^ Duckett, Richard (February 16, 2011). "Young love led Eddie Mekka to Worcester County Light Opera stage". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
6. ^ Lawler, Sylvia (May 22, 1993). "MEKKA HAUNTED BY HIS 'LAVERNE & SHIRLEY' CHARACTER". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
7. ^ Dillon, Nancy (December 19, 2018). "Penny Marshall was a generous mentor to 'Laverne & Shirley' co-star who played Carmine 'The Big Ragu' Ragusa". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
8. ^ Fitzgerald, TJ (July 8, 2008). "Mekka The Big Ragu Gets Therapy in The Big Apple". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
9. Wong, Wilson (2 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' actor, dies at 69". NBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
10. Jones, Kenneth (March 28, 2006). "Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka Are New Stars of Las Vegas Hairspray on May 1". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
11. Ehren, Christine (June 16, 2000). "Laverne & Shirley"'s Williams & Mekka Star in Westbury Grease June 16–18". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
12. Potempa, Philip (December 3, 2010). "'Laverne & Shirley' star Eddie Mekka here to star in hit Broadway musical". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
13. "Save the Date". Naples Florida Weekly. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
14. Gans, Andrew (October 31, 2008). ""Laverne & Shirley" Stars Williams and Mekka to Reunite for It Had to Be You". Playbill. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
15. Byrne, Terry (May 27, 2014). "Song-and-dance man Eddie Mekka back on familiar turf". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
16. O'Connell, Joe (October 13, 2008). "Shortcake and the Big Ragu Invade Lakeway!". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
17. Hetrick, Adam (May 6, 2010). "Eddie Mekka Leads Fiddler on the Roof at Engeman Theater". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
18. Jacobson, Aileen (May 7, 2010). "God and Family, and the Changes to Come". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
19. Wardr, Tommy (January 22, 2012). "R-JENERATION: Performing a family affair for actor Eddie Mekka". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
20. "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley's' Carmine Ragusa, Dies at 69". Extra. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
21. "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' Star and Tony Award Nominee, Dies at 69". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 December 2021.
22. Laverne & Shirley actor Eddie Mekka dead at 69 of unknown causes

External links

• Official website
• Eddie Mekka at IMDb
• Eddie Mekka at the Internet Broadway Database

• 1952 births
• 2021 deaths
• 20th-century American male actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• American male film actors
• American male musical theatre actors
• American male stage actors
• American male television actors
• American people of Armenian descent
• Male actors from Worcester, Massachusetts