Bruno VeSota, a character actor and director, stood at an impressive 5' 10 1/2" tall, and had a remarkably long and varied career spanning multiple mediums, including stage, radio, movies, and television.
Born Bruno William VeSota on March 25th, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the second of three sons born to Lithuanian immigrants Kasmir and Eleanora VeSota.
Bruno's early start in acting began in the 7th grade, where he made his stage debut as the villain in the children's play "Christopher's Orphans". He then attended the Hobart Theatre in Chicago, where he learned the basics of acting, make-up, and direction.
At the age of 19, VeSota made his stage directorial debut with a production of "Richard III" and went on to direct a wide range of productions, from classics to light comedies.
Before moving to Hollywood, California in 1952, VeSota worked in radio, providing the voice of Winston Churchill for a radio production and even working in Lithuanian radio in the 1940s.
VeSota began his television career in 1945, directing over 2,000 live TV programs and acting in some 200 more. He then moved to Hollywood, where he continued to work in television, with recurring roles in shows such as "Bonanza" and guest spots on numerous other series.
In addition to his television work, VeSota also had a successful film career, appearing in a number of low-budget Roger Corman exploitation pictures, as well as cult classics such as "Attack of the Giant Leeches" and "A Bucket of Blood".
Bruno VeSota was also a prolific director, helming three films: the crime potboiler "The Female Jungle", the alien invasion entry "The Brain Eaters", and the spoof "Invasion of the Star Creatures".
Throughout his career, VeSota worked with a number of notable directors, including Curtis Harrington and Steven Spielberg. He was married to Genevieve and had six children with her.
Sadly, Bruno VeSota passed away on September 24th, 1976, at the age of 54, due to a heart attack. Despite his passing, his legacy as a talented character actor and director continues to be celebrated by fans of cult cinema.
