SUNY New Paltz alumnus and star of TV’s “The Practice” establishes $25,000 theatre scholarship

NEW PALTZ — State University of New York at New Paltz alumnus and Emmy Award-winning actor, Michael Badalucco has established a $25,000 endowed scholarship in honor of his parents, Joe and Jean Badalucco, for an outstanding junior student in the Theatre Arts program.

The Joe and Jean Badalucco Outstanding Achievement Theatre Scholarship Endowment will be awarded annually to a student in the SUNY New Paltz Theatre Arts program who exhibits a sense of active involvement and a dedicated work ethic — attributes that mirror Joe Badalucco s career and loyalty to the theatre.

Michael s father, Joe Badalucco, was a Sicilian born cabinetmaker who came to America and made a career as a carpenter. As a member of Local Union 52 IATSE in New York City, he worked on many television commercial and movie sets including “Manhattan,” “Interiors” and “Annie Hall.”

Michael Badalucco got his start in the entertainment industry at a very young age, going to work with his father on movie sets. During the filming of “Fail Safe,” starring Henry Fonda, a photo of a young boy was needed. Eight-year old Badalucco posed for the picture, and thus began his acting career. While earning his B.A. in theatre arts from SUNY New Paltz, Badalucco performed in more than 20 plays with the New Paltz Repertory Company.

Michael Badalucco received the 1999 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in his role as attorney Jimmy Berluti in the ABC television drama series “The Practice,” and was nominated in the same category in 2000.

Note to editors: A photograph of Michael Badalucco can be downloaded from the SUNY New Paltz Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/badalucco.html.