William Hickey Biography

William Hickey

Though Hickey had been acting since the 1940s, it wasn't until 1985 that he gained fame for his role as the aging, irascible Mafia don in Prizzi's Honor, a role that garnered him an Oscar nomination. His other films include A Hatful of Rain (1957), The Producers (1968), The Name of the Rose (1986), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), and Sea of Love (1989). His stage credits include St. Joan and Twelfth Night. Hickey was also a respected acting teacher, instructing Steve McQueen and Barbra Streisand.