Rest in peace, Cousin Sal. A role that, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Danny Aiello wanted to pass up became his signature performance. The role in Spike Lee's iconic "Do The Right Thing" netted Aiello an Oscar nomination, but it was only the beginning of a storied career that was still in motion when Aiello passed away this week at the age of 86.

Details of his death may not be known, but this is easily detectable: Aiello's story is an inspirational one. Born and raised in New York, this guy drove a Greyhound bus for years and didn't get into acting until he was 35.