- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJoseph Charles Michael Tafarella
- Steve Rossi was born on May 25, 1932 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Mexican (2001), The Last of the Secret Agents? (1966) and Allen and Rossi Meet Dracula and Frankenstein (1974). He was married to Karma Kennedy and Elaine Annette Gronski. He died on June 22, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
- SpousesKarma Kennedy(August 15, 2003 - June 22, 2014) (his death)Elaine Annette Gronski(August 29, 1953 - ?) (divorced, 2 children)
- In 1969, after breaking up with Marty Allen, Rossi teamed with up with African-American comic Slappy White, becoming one of the first successful racially-mixed comedy acts.
- Marty Allen and Slappy White were his best known comedy partners. Other short-lived partners over time included Joe E. Ross the "ooh-ooh" guy from "Car 54, Where Are You?" and Bernie Allen (again "Allen & Rossi").
- Was enrolled at Loyola Catholic University in an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After he graduated he went into the service for two years. Following his discharge, he returned to Loyola and received his master's degree in Greek and Latin.
- Rossi, a native of Harlem, N.Y., was given the nickname "The Legend" by shock jock Howard Stern.
- He first partnered up with the inestimable Mae West in 1953 after performing singing leads in such musicals as "The Student Prince" at the Los Angeles Civic Light Company.
- When I was first breaking in [show business], you couldn't believe the sweat. You find out the audience is great if they like you, but horrible if they don't. And I found out the worst noise in the world is silence.
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