RIP Jerry Leggio

 

Louisiana theater, film and television actor Jerry Leggio died at his Baton Rouge home on October 1^st. He was 90. Born Jerome Phillip Leggio Jr. in Baton Rouge on September 23, 1935. "When he was a teenager, he was in the cast of a local variety show called 'Hit and Miss,'" his daughter, Felicia Leggio Braud said. "His castmates were Donna Douglas, Elizabeth Ashley and Rex Reed." They all left for Hollywood, but Jerry stayed behind and made himself a name in local theater and the occasional film role when it presented itself. Throughout the 60s and 70s Jerry had been very active in promoting Louisana's role in hosting location filming for the major studios, independent producers and all the leading TV networks. In 2014 he was awarded the Anne Price Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his pioneering efforts to grow the film industry in Louisiana. Jerry appeared in one Euro-western, 1984 “Lousiane’ as a banker. The films starred Margot Kidder and Ian Charleson.