Ron Fazio(I)

After a short lived NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys (1985) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1986, 1987), I auditioned for the Toxic Avenger Part 2. Since the Troma team already signed John Altamura as Toxie, I got the role but they asked me to be the back up Toxic Avenger to fill in distant shots and do some stunts, essentially to be the 2nd string Toxie. I agreed. We filmed in the Peekskill area just about an hour north of NYC. Filming TA 2 was an great experience. I enjoyed working with the special effects crew, and getting into the Toxie costume everyday. I made some great friends including Rick Collins, Paul Borghese, Benny Nieves, Lisa Gaye, and Phoebe Legere. After about 3-4 weeks of filming, John Altamura left the set of Toxic Avenger. I'm not sure why. He wasn't happy about something. But suddenly, I was thrust into the lead roll of the film (or "films" because we ended up shooting Toxic Avenger parts 2 and 3 back to back.) I had a blast being Toxie. Although John's parts remain as a good part of the movie, I completed all of his unfinished scenes, I did the entire voice over for both movies, and I finished the filming of part 3 in Tokyo Japan where Toxie was known as "Doku Doku Monster". Being a part of the Troma Team was a thrill for me and it lead to another roll as Leon in Basket Case part 2. Crazy but all these rolls hide my face. The aftermath of the TA experience was filled with many publicity appearances promoting the release of the TA part 2 and a few months later, TA 3. I think I wore out my Toxic tights and that mask had to be disinfected at times. Both TA films had their premier openings at a very nice theater on Broadway in NYC. (Not THAT type of theater!) I think they both had a 4 or 5 day run. Not bad for Troma, right! I continued chasing the acting dream after TA in NYC for a few years afterwards. I worked as a bouncer at various night clubs, and auditioned for anything I could get my hands on, mainly commercials and movie parts. I guess you could say I was not too successful because most of the work I did get was extra work. Oh I did a few spots on some soap operas and TV shows in which I spouted a few lines, but its was tough to pay the bills, living in the most expensive city in the country on a bouncers salary. So I veered away from acting and in 1991, began my quest to be a Physician Assistant, yes....going back to school. PA school was rigorous but after 2 years, I graduated with honors and began work as a PA. You make a pretty decent salary as a Physician Assistant. A few times I was called for extra work in the Sopranos, arguably one of the best shows of all time, so I gladly did the work just to keep my hand in acting even while working as a PA. But for the most part, my acting career was over. Awww! I married Dana in 1996. We now have 3 daughters and we call North Carolina home. I will still appear at a convention or two so look out for me and give me a holler if you see me. Hey, If there are any 2 day to 5 day small roles out there , I could be talked back into doing some acting.

RIP John Altamura.