Francis Vincent Vennera[1] (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon for Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), among other movies. Vennera voiced Pesto the pigeon for the animated show Animaniacs. He also often served as a voice double for actor Joe Pesci.
Acting
Vennera served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, first in the Signal Corps and later in the Special Services division.[2][3][4][5] Afterwards, he began a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. Vennera's first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year. He continued working as a performer, and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday, where he performed a dance routine atop several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in many films and television series. In 1979, Vennera appeared as Vietnam War veteran Mitch Costigian in three episodes of Vega$, along with Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls, two of them as the character Enrique Mas.
Vennera also began doing voice acting during the 1980s, with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role was Pesto in Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's animated series Animaniacs. Prior to his death, Vennera also taught acting.
Personal life
Vennera died from cancer at his home in Burbank, California, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 74.[1]
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