Edward Rudolph Mekjian (June 14, 1952 – November 27, 2021), known professionally as Eddie Mekka, was an American actor, best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the hit television sitcom Laverne & Shirley.

Mekka was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Mariam (née Apkarian), a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker.^[1][2][3] His family was of Armenian and Italian descent. His father was a World War II veteran.^[4] He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music.^[5]

In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing.^[5] After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award,^[6] he moved to Los Angeles.^[7] He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa for Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until its 1983 cancellation.^[6]

Mekka starred in roughly 50 TV shows and movies throughout his career. His television credits included 24, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Bold and the Beautiful, and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox television movie Catch Me If You Can.^[8] He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1992 film, A League of Their Own as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar.^[7][9]

Onstage, he performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada,^[10] and in a national tour of Grease with Cindy Williams.^[11][12] Mekka returned to off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre.^[8]

Mekka had regular solo singing performances for many years from the 1990s into the 2000s throughout the Naples^[13] and the Fort Lauderdale, Florida areas.

Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You.^[14][15]

In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days.^[16]

In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20.^[17][18]

Mekka was married to actress DeLee Lively from 1983 to 1992. He married Yvonne Marie Grace in 1994. Together they had one daughter, Mia.^[19]

Mekka died in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California, on November 27, 2021, at the age of 69.^[20][21][22]