(DATE) — Abe Vigoda, the veteran character actor best known for his role as mobster Salvatore Tessio in "The Godfather", died on (DAY OF WEEK). He was (AGE).

Vigoda's family said in a statement that he died in (LOCATION), from (CAUSE).

Abraham Charles Vigoda was born in 1921, in New York City to Jewish immigrants from Russia. He made his first appearance on stage at the age of 17, but did not break through until he was 50, when he landed the role of Tessio in an open call.

Vigoda's lengthy credits on television included the role as detective Phil Fish on "Barney Miller", which he continued in its spinoff "Fish", as well as parts in "Kojak", "The Love Boat", "B.J. and the Bear", "MacGyver", "Santa Barbara", "Murder, She Wrote", "Law & Order", and "Mad About You". In film, he appeared in "Look Who's Talking", "Joe Versus the Volcano", "Jury Duty", and "Good Burger". Vigoda's Broadway credits included "Marat/Sade", "Inquest", and "Arsenic and Old Lace". He most recently appeared in an advertisement for (PRODUCT).

Other than his acclaimed stint as Tessio, Vigoda was perhaps best known for false rumors of his death, which started in 1982 and have only ceased today. The actor often poked fun at his predicament.

Vigoda is survived by his daughter, Carol, and grandchildren, Jaime, Paulie, and Steven (POTENTIAL OTHER GRANDCHILDREN).

(Editor's update: DATE = January 26, 2016. DAY OF WEEK = Tuesday. AGE = 94. Feel free to fill the rest.)