Memorable Star Trek guest star Anthony Caruso passed away Friday in his Brentwood home after a long illness. He was 86.

Caruso is known to Trek fans as Sigma Iotia II gangster Bela Oxmyx from the popular episode "A Piece of the Action." Though he initially set out to be a singer, Caruso became a prolific character actor with a specialty in villains. His career spanned five decades, encompassing film, television and stage. Credits include "Johnny Apollo," "Cattle Queen of Montana" and numerous films with Alan Ladd, who Caruso met and befriended at the Pasadena Playhouse. Caruso also appeared in such TV series as "Bonanza," "The High Chaparral" and "Perry Mason." His final big screen appearance was in 1990's "The Legend of Grizzly Adams."

Caruso was born in Frankfort, Indiana to Italian American parents and was raised in Long Beach. He was often cast as an Italian, but also played characters of many other ethnicities — Greek, Mexican and Spanish, to name a few.

Caruso is survived by wife Tonia Valente and son Tonio.

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