Deadpan vaudeville days, Buster Keaton developed his deadpan expression. Keaton realized that audiences responded better to his stony expression than when he smiled, and he carried this style into his silent film career. The 1980 film "Airplane!" was performed almost entirely in deadpan. Many popular American sitcoms use deadpan expressions to deliver dry humor, including "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Arrested Development", and "My Name Is Earl". More recent examples are Andre Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt from the TV show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", Jennette McCurdy as Sam Puckett in "iCarly", and Louis C.K. in "Louie". Another example is the comedy of Steven Wright.
Frank Pellegrino (actor) Frank Pellegrino (actor) Frank Joseph Pellegrino (May 19, 1944 – January 31, 2017) was an American actor and restaurateur. Born in East Harlem, Pellegrino has often acted in law and gangster-themed film and television productions. He was a member of an early 1960s singing group called the Holidaes. Notable acting roles include Johnny Dio in "Goodfellas", assorted appearances on Dick Wolf's "Law & Order", and FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso on HBO's "The Sopranos". Pellegrino was a co-owner of the restaurant Rao's in New York City. Books written by Pellegrino include "Rao's Cookbook," "Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood" and "Rao's on