John Schilleci

John Dante Schilleci, Jr. was a New Orleans lawyer who was also a well known local New Orleans amateur actor. He was born in New Orleans in 1914. He was the son of Gioachino Schilleci and Antonina Graffagnini. His father and mother were both born in New Orleans of parents who emigrated from Contessa Entelina, Sicily. Gioachino was an accomplished amateur actor in New Orleans who is noted as the founder of the iconic Central Grocery in the New Orleans French Quarter. When the film Panic In The Streets was shot in New Orleans, John the role John portrayed as a coroner was well received and generated another film acting offer. However, his acting career tragically ended when suffered a disabling stroke shortly after completing the film. He suffered a fatal stroke on January 2, 1956 at the age of 41.