Francis Vincent Vennera^[1] (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon in Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War, among other movies. Vennera voiced Pesto the pidgeon on the animated show Animaniacs. He also often served as a voice double for Joe Pesci.

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Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Chick Vennera
Vennera at the 2013 DGA Awards
Born	Francis Vincent Vennera (1947-03-27)March 27, 1947 Herkimer, New York, U.S.
Died	July 7, 2021(2021-07-07) (aged 74) Burbank, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1975–2011
Spouses	Joanne Mary Divito ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1982)​ Suzanne E. Messbauer ​ ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	2

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Vennera served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, first in the Signal Corps and later in the Special Services division.^[2][3][4][5] After which, he embarked on a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. Vennera's first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year. He continued working as a performer, and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday, where he performed a dance routine on top of several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s, and 1990s, appearing in many films and television series. In 1979, Vennera appeared as Vietnam War veteran Mitch Costigian in three episodes of Vega$, alongside Vega$ star Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls, two of them as the character Enrique Mas.

Vennera also ventured into doing voice acting in the 1980s, with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role was Pesto on Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's hit animated series Animaniacs. Prior to his death, Vennera also taught acting.

Vennera died from cancer at his home in Burbank, California, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 74.^[1]