'Godfather II' Star Danny Aiello Dead At 86 After Sudden Illness

Danny Aiello, who appeared in “Godfather II,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Moonstruck,” died Thursday night, TMZ reports.

The 86-year-old's family told the outlet that he was in a medical facility in New Jersey at the time of his death. He was there getting treated for an abrupt illness. Aiello had reportedly sustained an infection during his treatment. The film star is said to have died shortly after his family visited him at the medical facility on Thursday.

Aiello was born on June 20, 1933, in Manhattan, New York. He got his first role in 1973 where he played Horse in “Bang the Drum Slowly” alongside Robert De Niro. He also was the person to deliver the famous line “Michael Corleone says hello!” in 1974's “The Godfather: Part II.”

The actor is survived by three of his children, Rick, Jaime, and Stacy. He was also the uncle to Michael Kay, an announcer for the New York Yankees.

“I would like to thank all of those sending their condolences on the passing of my uncle, Danny Aiello,” Kay tweeted on Friday morning. “He was a terrific man, self made, coming from nothing to be an Academy Award nominated actor. He loved his family dearly, adored his wife of 64 years, my Aunt Sandy.”

Some of Aiello's former co-stars also have taken to social media to remember the star following his death.

“Danny Aiello Rest In Peace my friend. We lost a great actor today, BUT more importantly we lost a great person!" Kirk Acevedo tweeted. "First day I met Danny he took me under his wing gave me advice on the business and life all while driving me home in his Cadillac. You’ll be missed."

“Goodbye Dear #DannyAiello Danny was a Great Actor, But a Genius Comedic Actor. We Laughed so much. Making #Moonstruck ..it was one of the happiest times in my life,& He Was apart of that Happy time. Goodbye #JohnnyCammareri [kisses] Loretta,” Cher tweeted.