‘The Wire’ and ‘Sopranos’ actor dead at 84: ‘Miss you, Horse’

Charley Scalies, known for his roles in “The Wire” and “The Sopranos,” is dead at the age of 84.

His daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, told The Hollywood Reporter that Scalies died in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pa., after a “long battle” with Alzheimer’s disease on May .

An online obituary stated that he “passed away peacefully.”

He was best known for his roles on HBO as Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa in season 2 of “The Wire” and as Tony Soprano’s former high school coach in season 5 of “The Sopranos.”

Per the obituary, Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years — “the true love and joy of his life” — Angeline M. Scalies, as well as his five children and four grandchildren.

“The Wire” writer Rafael Alvarez posted a message to the actor’s children on a virtual tribute wall, writing: “I became instant friends with your Dad when I sat down next to him at lunch on the first day of shooting Season Two of ‘The Wire.’ In time he became a member of my family. Miss you, Horse.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.