Sal Piro
American actor (1950–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Salvatore Francis Martin Piro (June 29, 1950 – January 22, 2023) was an American actor who was the president of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club, a position he held from 1977 until his death.[1][2][3]
June 29, 1950
- Actor
- theatre director
- teacher
Sal Piro | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Salvatore Francis Martin Piro June 29, 1950 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2023 (aged 72) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | President of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club |
Piro was a part of the original Waverly Theatre audience, from which the unique audience participation elements and much of the film's cult following were born. He was later instrumental in getting the venue moved to the 8th St. Playhouse. The Rocky Horror following has become a worldwide phenomenon.[4]
Piro appeared as himself in the film Fame as well as a number of documentaries, and had a nonspeaking, unnamed cameo as a man using a payphone in Rocky Horror's pseudo sequel Shock Treatment.[5] He also cameoed as The Photographer in the 2016 television remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.[6] As an actor, he performed in both film and television.[6]
Piro wrote two books on the Rocky Horror cult following, Creatures of the Night and Creatures of the Night II.[7]
Personal life
Salvatore Francis Martin Piro was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1950.[7] He attended Seton Hall University. In the mid-1970s, he was a theology teacher and theater director at Catholic schools in New Jersey.[7] He was gay.[8]
In Cherry Grove, New York, on Fire Island, Piro managed the Ice Palace and Grove Hotel for 23 years and executive produced the Miss Fire Island Pageant, Mr. Fire Island Leather, and the Miss Grove Hotel contest.[7] He also played competitive tournament chess and Scrabble.[9]
Piro died from an aneurysm at his home in Manhattan on January 22, 2023, at the age of 72.[7][10]
