Dead man ID’d as ‘Green Book’ actor

NEW YORK — A man found dead on a New York City sidewalk this week was identified as Frank Vallelonga Jr., an actor who appeared in the Oscar-winning movie “Green Book.”

Vallelonga, 60, is the son of one-time Copacabana bouncer Frank Vallelonga Sr., known as Tony Lip, who was portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in the 2018 film. Frank Vallelonga Jr. played a relative of Mortensen’s character in the movie, which won the Oscar for best picture.

His unidentified body was discovered early Monday in the Bronx after a 911 caller reported seeing it near a factory. Police found no obvious signs of trauma, and the cause of death has not been determined.

Police identified Vallelonga on Thursday and his manager later confirmed that he was the actor. “It’s completely a tragedy and shocking,” Melissa Prophet said.

A 35-year-old man was charged with concealment of a human corpse a day after the body was found. The investigation was continuing.