Wed May 07 07:50:00 UTC 2025: **Veteran Character Actor Charley Scalies Dies at 84**
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Charley Scalies, a Philadelphia-born character actor known for his roles in HBO’s *The Wire* and *The Sopranos*, passed away Thursday at age 84. His death, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, was confirmed by his daughter, Anne Marie Scalies.
Scalies’ memorable performances included the role of Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa, an incarcerated longshoreman, in *The Wire*’s second season. He also appeared in *The Sopranos*, portraying Coach Molinaro in a pivotal dream sequence. Beyond his HBO credits, Scalies boasted a diverse career, appearing in films such as *12 Monkeys*, *Liberty Heights*, and *Jersey Girl*, as well as television shows including *Homicide: Life on the Street*, *Law & Order*, and *Law & Order: SVU*.
Before his acting career, Scalies worked in sales and consulting. He later returned to his passion for performing, starting with community theater and eventually landing roles in film and television. His family described him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who enjoyed sharing stories and laughter with loved ones.
Donations in Scalies’ memory can be made to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or the PCS Theater in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
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