Eddie Mekka

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]