After living in Naples for a few years as a child, Vito returned to the States when he was seven.
Big at playing unsympathetic types such as snobs, loudmouths and bullies, he was known for his resourceful portrayals of various ethnic types. Of Italian heritage, he was seen playing everything from a Mexican bandit and Russian doctor to a Japanese sailor.
In addition to his accomplishments as an actor, he was highly regarded as a chef. Two generations of Hollywood's top names always left his dinner parties raving about the food and wine.
Once worked nightclubs as a stand-up magician and mime. On the '60s "The Dick Van Dyke show" he once guested as a house painter who performed magic tricks.