`Moonstruck' Actor Feodor Chaliapin Jr.

ROME - Actor Feodor Chaliapin Jr., best known for his role as the dog-walking grandfather in the 1987 movie "Moonstruck," has died. He was 87.

Chaliapin died Sept. 17 after a brief illness at his home in Rome, the actor's longtime personal secretary said. She identified herself by her stage name, Schwa.

Russian-born, Chaliapin immigrated with his family to Paris in 1922. Chaliapin soon left for Hollywood to try his fortune away from the shadow of his famous father, Russian bass Feodor Chaliapin.

He started his acting career in silent movies, where his accented English wouldn't be a problem. He went on to establish himself as a character actor and played many minor roles in Italian films.

But Chaliapin's career only really took off in 1986 when, already in his 80s, he was chosen to play the role of the blind, murderous monk Jeorge of Burgos in the thriller "The Name of The Rose," which also starred Sean Connery and F. Murray Abraham.

Next came the role in "Moonstruck," starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. Other roles included playing Robert De Niro's father in "Stanley and Iris," and a character in "Inner Circle," starring Tom Hulce.

Divorced twice, he is survived by his twin sister Tatiana Chaliapin Chernoff of Rome and several nieces and nephews, Scha said. No funeral arrangements were immediately announced.