Memorial for Broadway Acting Teacher Robert X. Modica Held Today

Robert X. Modica, acting teacher to Broadway greats, passed away late Saturday, March 14th, 2015. He was 83. A memorial to celebrate Modica's life and legacy will be held today, April 8th, 2016 at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan.

A beloved acting teacher and father of four, Robert led a passionate life. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War and later went on to attend Adelphi College, where he studied speech and drama and excelled in athletics earning All-American Athlete in football and lacrosse.

His love of theater started him in a distinguished career working with famed acting teacher Sanford Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse, NYC, as well as teaching at Philip Burtons renowned American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

In 1966, Robert left the Neighborhood Playhouse to teach independently at his prestigious Carnegie Hall studio, where he remained for over 50 years. He taught such notables as John Turtorro, Tyne Daly, Louise Lasser, David Duchovney, John Doman, and Scott Cohen.

Modica's acting career includes Coppola's first film - The Rain People - as well as Love Story, Men of Respect, Fast Food Fast Women, TV's Kojak, The Equalizer & Shrinks.

Robert is survived by his son Robert X. Modica Jr., his daughters Dorothy Bernhardi, Josephine Grover, and Katherine Modica, his former wife Dorothy and his partner Donna, his nine grandchildren, and his beloved students.

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