Michael DeLano — a versatile actor and singer whose career spanned over five decades — has died at the age of 84. According to his wife, Jean DeLano, the cause was a heart attack. He passed away on October 20, 2025, in a hospital in Las Vegas. His death was publicly confirmed later, as the news spread through entertainment media.
Born in New York City on November 26, 1940, DeLano began his journey in entertainment not as an actor, but as a performer in music and dance. In 1960, under the name Key Larson, he signed with Swan Records and recorded songs such as “A Web of Lies” and “A Little Lovin’ Goes a Long, Long Way.” Additionally, he appeared on the iconic TV dance show American Bandstand as a dancer.
In the early 1970s, DeLano made a transition to acting — a move that would define the next decades of his professional life. Over the years, he built a substantial résumé of roles in film and television. On TV, he featured in a wide range of well-known shows: among them were Rhoda (as “Johnny Venture”), Firehouse (as “Sonny Capito”), Supertrain, Kojak, The Jeffersons, Wonder Woman, The A‑Team, Hill Street Blues, and many more. In films, he appeared in early ’70s pictures such as Catlow (1971) and The New Centurions (1972), and later turned up in more mainstream studio films, including Commando (1985).
Perhaps most widely recognized — especially by newer generations — was his role as the casino manager in Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and its sequel Ocean’s Twelve (2004). DeLano had made Las Vegas his home since 1992, and in the city he continued performing as a singer, regularly entertaining audiences at the old-school Dispensary Lounge.
DeLano’s career stands out for its remarkable longevity and versatility. He was someone able to shift — sometimes mid-career — between music, dance, small film roles, recurring television characters, action films, and the live entertainment circuit of Las Vegas. In doing so, he showcased a rare blend of discipline, adaptability, and genuine love for performance. His colleagues and fans alike remembered him as a dependable character actor, a charismatic presence, and a consummate showman who brought authenticity and charm to every role.
His passing leaves behind a family — his wife Jean, his daughter Bree, and grandchildren — and the imprint of a body of work that touches many eras of American entertainment. As tributes pour in from former co-stars, colleagues, and fans across generations, Michael DeLano’s legacy serves as a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and the enduring power of craft.
