Former SNL and SCTV Cast Member Languishes in Jail

This is sad and shocking news. Former SCTV and SNL performer Tony Rosato is currently living in a Canadian prison. The full story is here.

Comments

[Flava]

Just finished watching the DVD set of "SCTV - The Early Years" which includes the Tony Rosato/Robin Duke shows. I never really considered those two to be "true" cast members. Watching this changed my mind about Robin Duke (she's a classic TV comedienne), but not Rosato, whose bits and characters just don't work for me. He's the Sylvester P. Smythe of SCTV.

[Webster Hubble Telescope]

Tony Rosato ina jaila? Isdata righta? Who's a gonna playa the chefa guy now?

[WV.Hillbilly]

This guy should be locked up for calling himself a comedian and passing himself off as a SNL & SCTV cast member.
He IS insane if he actually thinks he's funny.

[Daniel Brodsky]

Tony Rosato's trial starts on August 7, 2007 in Kingston, ON
Daniel J. Brodsky
=======================
From: Larissa Banting [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: July 24, 2007 6:07 PM
To: Daniel Brodsky
Subject: Tony Rosato case

Dear Daniel

Dale Anne Freed gave me your email address.

I have just learned about the unfortunate case of Tony Rosato (I have been living in Costa Rica for the past 6 years) as I just stumbled upon Dale's article. I'm shocked to say the least. As someone who has a personal history with him (although brief), my heart goes out to him.

Tony had been living in Toronto since the late 1990's and I'd first met him in August of 2000 on set the set of Mendors when he guest starred on a children's tv show I was working on in Edmonton - he was playing Casanova and he gave an outstanding performance, adding in layers and nuances as well as additions to dialogue that took the episode beyond what was originally on the page. He was an absolute joy to work with - funny, warm, loved the child actors and really took time to be with them and pass along advice. No ego, no tantrums, no green M & Ms - just a professional artist focusing on his craft.

He is a very charismatic person with an intense presence and a brilliant mind. Towards the end of 2001, he was working on getting his green card to work in the US again and felt ready to head back to LA. He sold his house in Cabbagetown (he'd owned it since the 80's) but was on hard financial times and the permanent move to LA was in flux. By December 2001, we ended up going our separate ways.

Tony told me about the drugs back in the SNL days, how the coke kept him going to meet the punishing deadlines of writing and rehearsing the show demanded on a weekly basis - it was also the 80's and it was the drug of choice. He'd quit that years and years ago. While I knew him, he didn't even drink wine. He had a very clean lifestyle - spent time writing, doing voice over work, working as an actor, doing tarot card readings, playing the piano. His only vice was the odd joint now and then. And he certainly was not violent - never saw the slightest inkling of anger or violence.

He was passionate about justice and the injustice of his situation is beyond epic proportions. It is as if he is stuck in a cruel story by Kafka or Orwell.

Tony Rosato is not a criminal or a threat to the community - he is a genius whose mind has unfortunately fallen into an abyss.

I'm thankful to Dale for being the torch bearer and shedding light into this dark chapter of Canadian judicial history - it's shocking, it's sad and it shouldn't happen to anyone, least of all someone who clearly is in need of psychiatric treatment.

And thank you, Daniel, for taking on this case. I'm sure it's not been easy, given Tony's state right now which being in maximum prison for two years has only exasperated. I wish you the very best in your upcoming battle.

Please pass along my wishes of support to Tony (he didn't have email when we were in contact). I'm sure he could use all the positive words of encouragement he can get right now.

And thanks for reading this email - it's such a horrible story, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. He is a good man - I just hope he gets the help he desperately needs so he can go on to create the things of beauty and truth he so believes in.

Best,

Larissa Banting