Character actor Al Ruscio, who appeared in TV, film and on-stage for over half a century, has died at the age of 89, shared his daughter Elizabeth.

The actor is most well-known for his role as crime boss Leo Cuneo in “The Godfather: Part III” and for various guest-starring roles in TV shows such as “Seinfeld,” “Showgirls” and “The X-Files.”

He grew up in Salem, Massachusetts and moved to New York to train at the Neighborhood Playhouse School until 1958 when he made the move to LA to start his professional career.

The “Days of Our Lives” actor never forgot his drama school roots, and in the ‘60s, created the drama department at Midwestern College in Denison, Iowa. He also served as a professor of acting at the University of Windsor in Canada and as artistic director of the Academy of Dramatic Art at Oakland University in Michigan.

Al appeared many times on-stage in productions such as “After the Fall," "King Lear," "The Merchant of Venice" and "The Man in the Glass Booth." He published a book last year called, "So Therefore …: A Practical Guide for Actors.”

He is survived by his wife Kate Williamson and his four children.