Charley Scalies, the esteemed American actor renowned for his roles in HBO's The Wire and The Sopranos, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at the age of 84 after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's disease. His death occurred at a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and was confirmed by his family.
Born on July 19, 1940, in Philadelphia, Charles J. "Charley" Scalies Jr. grew up above his father's pool hall in South Philadelphia, where he entertained patrons with impressions and jokes from a young age. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College (now University) and was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania.
Before embarking on his acting career, Charley Scalies held the position of Director of Sales and Contracts at Clifton Precision, a company known for precision manufacturing. He later established his own consulting firm, focusing on ISO 9000 auditing and quality management systems.
Charley Scalies began his acting career later in life, making his film debut in the 1995 movie Two Bits alongside Al Pacino. He gained prominence for his portrayal of Thomas "Horseface" Pakusa, a stevedore and union member, in all 12 episodes of Season 2 of The Wire. He also appeared as Coach Molinaro in the Season 5 episode "The Test Dream" of The Sopranos. His other television credits include Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Cold Case. In film, he appeared in 12 Monkeys, Liberty Heights, and Jersey Girl.
Charley Scalies was also active in community theater, performing in productions such as Guys and Dolls, Chicago, and The Wizard of Oz with the St. Francis Players in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Angeline M. Scalies (née Cardamone), their five children—Charles (Chuck) Scalies III, Angeline Kogut, Anthony (Tony) Scalies, Christa Ann Scalise, and Anne Marie Scalies—and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 11:00 AM at Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home in Trappe, Pennsylvania. Friends may call from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Charley Scalies' name to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Charley Scalies is remembered not only for his contributions to film and television but also for his dedication to family and community. His legacy endures through his memorable performances and the lasting impact he had on those who knew him.
