Washington DC
New York
Toronto
Distribution: (800) 510 9863
Press ID
  • Login
Edinburg Post
No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
  • World • Politics
  • Business • Finance
  • Culture • Entertainment
  • Health • Food
  • Lifestyle • Travel
  • Science • Technology
  • Latest • Trending
  • World • Politics
  • Business • Finance
  • Culture • Entertainment
  • Health • Food
  • Lifestyle • Travel
  • Science • Technology
  • Latest • Trending
No Result
View All Result
Edinburg Post
No Result
View All Result
Home World • Politics

‘Green Book’ actor Frank Vallelonga Jr. died of cocaine, fentanyl overdose before his body dumped in Bronx: autopsy

by Edinburg Post Report
April 11, 2023
in World • Politics
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The “Green Book” actor whose body was callously dumped on a Bronx sidewalk died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and cocaine, a city medical examiner autopsy has determined.

Frank Vallelonga Jr.’s corpse was found at 3:50 a.m. on Nov. 28 on Oak Point Ave., an industrial street in Hunts Point.

Police at the time suspected the 60-year-old Vallelonga, whose identity was not immediately known because he had no identification on him, died of an overdose. A medical examiner spokesman on Monday said Vallelonga died accidentally from “acute intoxication due to combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine.”

Steven Smith, 35, was arrested a day after he allegedly dumped Vallelonga’s body, driving to the scene in a Hyundai Elantra. He claimed a woman named Pam told him somebody had overdosed in the car and turned to him for help.

Frank Vallelonga arrives for the U.S Premiere Of “Songs Of Solomon” held at TCL Chinese Theatre on March 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

“That dude was dead already,” driver Steven Smith told cops, according to the criminal complaint against him. “He overdosed. I didn’t have anything to do with that.”

“I got the body out by pulling him out of the car” he added. “I don’t know the guy at all.”

In January, a warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest after he missed an appearance in Bronx Criminal Court on charges including concealment of a human corpse, possession of a stolen vehicle and grand larceny.

Once Smith is located and arrested by police, he will be arraigned on the charges.

Vallelonga was the namesake son of the one-time Copacabana bouncer played by Viggo Mortensen in the Oscar-winning “Green Book.”

The bouncer, Frank Vallelonga Sr., known as “Tony Lip,” famously accompanied Black pianist Don Shirley as a bodyguard during a tour through the Jim Crow-era South in the early 1960s. Later, Vallelonga Sr. made an unlikely transformation from doorman to actor — including a recurring role on “The Sopranos” as New York mob boss Carmine Lupertazzi.

Junior played his uncle Rudy in “Green Book” and had eight other acting credits, including an appearance on “The Sopranos.”

An Instagram photo from 2019, when “Green Book” won the Best Picture Oscar, shows a tuxedo-clad Frank Jr. hugging Lady Gaga.

The gray 2021 Hyundai Elantra carrying the dead Vallelonga was tied to his Academy Award-winning younger brother Nick Vallelonga, according to court papers. The brother had not given permission for anyone to use the vehicle.

Nick Vallelonga co-wrote the screenplay for “Green Book” and captured a pair of Oscars as his cinematic star ascended.

Leave Comment

EDITOR'S PICK

‘Top Gun’ and ‘Black Panther’ advance in Oscars shortlist

Stocks Open Lower After Inflation Data

Forget Core CPI, Market Pros Are Searching for Supercore Inflation

Chipotle who? Your newest build-your-own-bowl obsession just opened in Carson

EP NEWSROOM

Malek Bentchikou

Unlocking Success: The Journey of Malek Bentchikou, a 23-Year-Old Algerian Trader

Former Dolton officer hired by Munster police despite ‘traumatic’ incidents at past job

Mia Sorety

Mia Sorety: Houston’s Rising Fitness Influencer Inspires Thousands to Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle

Ms. Saloni Srivastava

Siliconization of the Subcontinent: Is Prompt Engineering the answer to India’s employability crisis?

Turtle Media

Keep moving in the right direction: Media Agency «Turtle» is calling!

Edinburg Post

© 2025 Edinburg Post or its affiliated companies.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • World • Politics
  • Business • Finance
  • Culture • Entertainment
  • Health • Food
  • Lifestyle • Travel
  • Science • Technology
  • Latest • Trending

© 2025 Edinburg Post or its affiliated companies.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In