BIO

John Cazale was born John Holland Cazale in Revere, Massachusetts, in 1935.   He studied drama at Boston University before moving to New York City.

He began performing in off-Broadway theatre, winning an Obie Award for his performances in 1967-1968.

Cazale’s first feature film was The Godfather (1972).   After only four pictures, his last performance was in The Deer Hunter (1978).

Cazale met actress Meryl Streep when both were performing in a 1976 off-Broadway play.   They were dating when both were cast for The Deer Hunter.   Cazale had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but insisted on filming anyway.   All of his scenes were shot first and he soon died in 1978, at the age of 42, in New York City before the film was released.

Broadway stage history is available at:

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS