American actor Tony Ganios, renowned for his role as Meat in Bob Clark’s ‘Porky’s,’ passed away on February 18 following surgery at a hospital in New York, according to a report by Variety on Tuesday evening. He was 64.
Ganios’ partner shared the news on X alongside a photo of the couple holding hands, expressing deep sorrow: “I love you so much, my love. I’m broken.” Later, she tweeted another photo of Ganios, stating, “The last words we said to each other were, ‘I love you.’ Love is an understatement. You are everything to me. My heart, my soul, and my best friend.”
Known for his roles in 1980s teen comedies and action films, Ganios gained fame for portraying tough, muscular characters, often relying on character acting to fulfill roles that required physical presence and ruggedness.
His acting career began with a role as Perry in Kaufman’s ‘The Wanderers,’ a Bronx Italian-American street tough in the 1963 film adaptation of Richard Price’s novel. Ganios collaborated with co-star Ken Wahl once more for a recurring role as a mob lawyer in Wahl’s crime series ‘Wiseguy’ from 1987 to 1990.
However, Ganios is most recognized for his portrayal of Meat in the 1981 comedy ‘Porky’s,’ where a group of high school friends seeks revenge on a nightclub owner named Porky after facing humiliation at his establishment. Despite critical disapproval, the film became the sixth highest-grossing movie of 1982, spawning two sequels.
His other film credits include ‘Porky’s II: The Next Day’ (1983) and ‘Die Hard 2’ (1990). Ganios semi-retired after his appearance in ‘Rising Sun,’ making brief cameos in three films between 1991 and 1993.
Reflecting on his intermittent return to acting, Ganios shared, “While I did miss acting, I didn’t miss the entertainment industry or most of the people in it. But as time went by, I would constantly run into fans who were genuinely disappointed to know that I had quit the business.” He expressed gratitude for his fans’ support, acknowledging the challenges of reentering an industry where he initially struggled.
Born in Brooklyn, Ganios is survived by his partner, Amanda.
