Actor Michael Gazzo Succumbs At 71

Michael V. Gazzo, an actor and playwright whose 1955 drama, “A Hatful of Rain,” broke theatrical ground in its candid and sympathetic portrayal of drug addiction, died on Feb. 14 at Vencor Hospital. He was 71.

The cause was complications after a stroke.

As an actor, Gazzo appeared in Off Broadway productions and later was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “The Godfather, Part II” (1974).

He also wrote the screenplay for “King Creole” (1958), which starred Elvis Presley.