Mario Perillo
Mario Perillo (August 15, 1926 – February 28, 2003)[1] was an American businessman and chairman of Perillo Tours, Inc.[2] He expanded his father Joseph Perillo's business into the largest US operator of tours to Italy.[3] Mario Perillo was perhaps best known to the public for his television commercials during the 1980s and 1990s, earning him the nickname "Mr. Italy".[2]
Perillo was born in 1926[1] and owned (but never resided in) the historic Achenbach House in Saddle River, New Jersey which was adjacent to his longtime residence on Apple Ridge Road. His son Steve Perillo lived in the house until it was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2004.[4]
Mario Perillo died in 2003, aged 76.[2]
References
- ^ a b Mario P. Perillo | 1926–2003 | Obituary
- ^ a b c Feuer, Alan (March 3, 2003). "Mario Perillo, 76, Travel Agent; Urged TV Viewers to Visit Italy". The New York Times.
- ^ Blumenthal, Ralph (April 4, 1986). "Americans Canceling Some Mediterranean Tours". The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
- ^ Fisher, Janon. "Bergen County House on Historic Register Is Fire Victim", The New York Times, March 20, 2004. Accessed February 4, 2012. "In the 1960s, the private house, known as the Achenbach House, was the home of the actor and producer Larry Blyden and his wife, the actress and dancer Carol Haney, who believed the house was haunted. Later it was owned by Mario Perillo of Perillo Tours, well known for his television commercials selling package tours to Italy; after his death, the house passed to Mr. Perillo's son Stephen, the current owner."