Phoenixville, Pennsylvania—Charley Scalies, a beloved character actor from Philadelphia known for his memorable roles in acclaimed television dramas, has passed away at the age of 84 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. His daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, confirmed his death, which occurred Thursday in a nursing facility.
Scalies gained recognition for his portrayal of Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa in the second season of HBO’s groundbreaking series, The Wire. His character, a former longshoreman at the Port of Baltimore, became a loyal ally to the cunning boss Frank Sobotka, played by Chris Bauer. Appearing in all 12 episodes of the season, Scalies described Horseface as a part of him, stating in a 2019 interview that he often revisited the character as needed.
In addition to The Wire, Scalies made an impact on the television landscape with his role as Coach Molinaro in an unforgettable dream sequence on The Sopranos. This scene featured him confronting Tony Soprano, portrayed by James Gandolfini, about the consequences of taking a perilous path in life, reinforcing both his character’s intensity and the richness of his performance.
Born Charles Joseph Scalies Jr. on July 19, 1940, in Philadelphia, he grew up above his father’s pool hall in South Philadelphia. From a young age, he entertained bar patrons with jokes and impersonations, nurturing a passion for performance that would follow him through life. While attending St. Joseph’s College, Scalies formed a comedy duo and performed at various local venues, drawing inspiration from the famous Martin and Lewis partnership.
After completing his college education, Scalies initially ventured into the business world, working as a director of sales and contracts at a manufacturing firm before establishing his consulting company focused on quality management. However, his love for the stage called him back in the 1990s when he returned to performing in community theater productions. His versatility shone through as he took on various roles, from Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls to the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
His foray into television and film brought him bit parts in works such as 12 Monkeys and Jersey Girl. He also appeared in two episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street, created by David Simon, further solidifying his connection to the acclaimed network. In addition to his acting career, Scalies penned a screenplay titled It Takes Balls, drawing from his experiences in his father’s pool hall.
Scalies is survived by his wife, Angeline, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage, along with their children Chuck, Angeline, Tony, Christa, and Anne Marie. His family fondly remembers him as a man who cherished moments spent with his grandchildren—Charles IV, Christopher, Domenic, and Amelia—often found entertaining them at the dinner table.
In memory of Charley Scalies, donations are welcomed to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or the PCS Theater in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, reflecting his commitment to both art and advocacy.