as phil fish on the '70s cop sitcom "barney miller." vigoda was also the mobster sal testio in "the godfather" until he was bumped off. vigoda also gained notoriety for not being dead. it was in 1982 that a magazine declared he was no more. all it was worth on late night television. >> go be with your own kind. that's it, abe. >> reporter: he was also a favorite guest of the today show. an abe vigoda twitter feed popped up with the sole purpose of reporting if he was dead or alive. it garnered 10,000 followers. he later appeared in a super bowl ad for snickers candy bars back in 2010 with betty white. they were both 88 years old. >> that hurt. >> reporter: born abraham charles vigoda in brooklyn, new york, his career spanned the stage, the screen and television. he died in his sleep at his daughter's home in new jersey. abe vigoda was 94. kevin tibbles, nbc news, chicago. >>> and that will do it for us on a tuesday night. i'm lester holt. metro is investigating an officer-involved shooting it happened near pecos and bonanza. we can tell

from "the godfather" to barney miller, the gone. "nightly news" begins right now. >> announcer: from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt. >> good evening. time is short, and the to-do list is long for the men and women running for president. in just six days, we will be counting actual votes in iowa. but in this final stretch, it's all about the polls and tonight they appear to confirm a dramatic reversal of fortunate among the two republican front-runners. donald trump now ahead in a state that once seemed to be ted cruz's to lose. and more worrisome for the cruz camp is trump is lining up what could be key endorsements. there's high drama in the democratic contest too. we've got both races covered. with katy tur. >> lester, never a dull moment in this race. donald trump now saying he will not be participating in thursday's fox news debate because he doesn't think megan kelly is fair. also touting two big including one from jerry falwell jr. the clock is ticking in iowa. six days lef

i think that it is the barney miller theme song. great show. legendary act or. this is how he first got noticed. in amazing film. an amazing world. he was on his way to his death at this point. they have a tv show. fish. rosanna: he lives two blocks away from here. we know that he was alive. we saw him getting coffee. >> it is official. it is final. >> reporter: good morning to you. he lived for many years. neighbors say he always had a smile on his face. he was born here in new york. best known for his role in the godfather. that will completely change his life. on television. rumors of his death were falsely reported numerous times. one was very sad to hear about his death. >> we were in the elevator. we went upstairs. she was jumping around when we went upstairs. always very sweet. always had a smile on his face. you know, a fixture in the building for 18 years. sad to hear he has gone. >> reflecting on his success, he once said my experiences have taught me to deeply believe in what you are doing. success can, at any age. here on the upper east side this mor

from "the godfather" to "barney miller," the legendary actor is gone. "nightly news" begins right now. >> announcer: from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt. >>> good evening. time is short, and the to-do list is long for the men and women running for president. in just six days we will be counting actual votes in iowa, but in the final stretch it's all about the polls, and tonight they appear to confirm a dramatic reversal of fortune among the two republican front-runners. donald trump now ahead in a state that once seemed to be ted cruz's to lose. and more worrisome for the cruz camp is trump is lining up what could be key endorsements. there's high drama in the democratic contests, too. we've got both races covered starting with >> reporter: hey there, lester. you know it's crunch time when one candidate is flying in endorsements and the other issuing a warning. donald trump is about to take the stage joined by arizona sheriff joseph arpaio known for his hardline stance on immigration. the clock is ti

prob so many more people knew him around the world also from the comedy series "barney miller." we loved him on this show. he made numerous appearances. we joked with matt that he looked like abe. through the years, he's -- he'd visit us. so terrific. his car didn't arrive in los angeles once, and i gave him a ride home. told stories about the "godfather," "barney miller," lovely gentleman. >> someone who discovered fame later in life. he was in his 50s. good to see he reinvented himself. >> he was a running gag on "leatherman." i'm not dead. >> 1982, there was a reporter who posted that he -- in "people" magazine. >> before posting. >> well, in the magazine. >> actually wrote it down. >> in the magazine. >> yes. >> i'll be honest, growing up, i knew him as the guy who walked on to leatherman t letterman. i had to realize he had a career before that. >> barney miller's -- there was a spin off, right? >> yeah. kids. he was my favorite character on "barney miller," bish. >> so joseph fiennes, the brother of ralph, they're white, and joseph is playing michael jackson. >> what? >> y

curtis: i am not talking about fish and barney miller. from mike wood! area! ben: no he didn't. you clearly did not watch "fox 5 news" on saturday morning . juliet: he said, if the storm switches the tiniest bit , it changes everything. curtis: i don't seem to remember that . juliet: you don't sleep at night. you go from place to place . let's talk about donald trump. because of megan kelly's appearance at the debate , he will not be showing up. curtis: you know what this is? juliet: he is making her millions of dollars. this is wwf out of the junior. the networks keep going for . is he going to show up? curtis: of course he's going to show up. if he doesn't show up , he looks like the biggest was at all times. he says he will do even or a rally for wounded warriors. that? curtis: it's right before the iowa primary with the promise of counting corn kernels no. he is not that dumb. i cannot believe he is so obsessed with megan kelly . day after day. what question will she ask the donald to make them break down? don't believe the hype! with queensboro. juliet: i saw her on the air

abe vigoda was 94. >> remember him from barney miller. and fish, had his own show. great character actor. remember him growing up. >>> news for moms and babies. >> and a shooting. the cbs4 news exclusive after the break. >>> history at the vatican. when iran's president pays a visit to the pope. more on that. >>> the kickoff is on. how the area is preparing for >> new this morning, a man shot in the head and left for dead defies the odds and making it to his college graduation. our next item is a genuine this highly sought-after device from progressive can be yours for... twenty grand? -no! we are giving it away for just 3 easy payments of $4.99 plus tax! the lines are blowing up! from poughkeepsie. flo: yeah, no, it's flo. the "name your price" tool right? [ laughing nervously ] [ pickles whines ] i know, it's like they're always on television. . >>> we are counting down to so are the cities of san francisco and santa clara. and everything associated with it. >> that's right. jim is there with the preparations there and the stadium. >> that's right. and it's a supe

a theater actor, he went on to stardom on abc's "barney miller."urmudgeonly detective fish. >> in an emergency you would be the first one i would call. >> you should call me first. i need time to put my teeth in. >> oddly, i have go da spent years fight agurban legend he had already died. >> the rumor is that he died. >> abe is there in the control room? he is. >> reporter: that's him on david letterman's show in 1988. like his character in "the godfather." >> tell mike it was only business. he knew the end was coming. >> tom, can you get me off the hook? for old time's sake? >> can't do it. >> reporter: abe vigoda was 94. david wright, abc news, new york. >> quite a legend. >> he also performed on and off broadway just really, really incredible man. >> all right. coming up the countdown top valentine's day. >> oh. so if you've been looking for love in all the wrong places could one of those places be the workplace? >> really? >> yeah, you're watching an abc's "world news now." >> like the news room? i pinky promised my little girl a fabulous garde

catch the 6 hour "barney miller" marathon starting at 4 - saturday afternoon. the time for polls and mud- slinging is almost over as the caucuses and primaries kick off in iowa next monday. edward lawrence is in washington, d-c with more on what the candidates are doing to win over with just six days to go until the first votes are cast in iowa - presidential candidates can see the finish line. sot: sen. ted cruz/r-tx presidential candidate "we )re in the final sprint." sot: donald trump/r presidential candidates "this is now crunch time, this is crunch time right." gfx the latest poll out this morning shows donald trump has now gained a lead in iowa - but ted cruz is within the margin of ror so trump isn )t pulling any punches - including his favorite jab - pointing out cruz s birthplace. sot: donald trump/r presidential candidates "he )s candadian - the man from canada." "he could run right now for prime minister of canada, he )d have no problem." cruz is hitting back with a series of t-v ads - including this one aimed at iowa )s evangelical voters. nats "loo

and on television, "barney miller." that face and that sense of humor. >> what about that big heart? so many times he came to studio 1a, one of our most favorite guests. beloved. we'll look back with a lot of affection affection. >>> top story this morning, one member of the anti-government protesters this morning shot dead, eight others arrested as the fbi and local police look to joe fryer has the story. good morning. >> reporter: 25 days into this occupation authorities decided arrests, but things turned violent. the confrontation played out not at the wildlife refuge but on a highway 50 miles away as some members of the anti-government group were driving to a community meeting. along a rural highway the fbi and oregon state police stopped the occupiers vehicles to arrest members of the group when authorities say shots were fired though they would not elaborate on who fired. one protester was killed, identified by family as lavoy finicum. he became a spokesman for the occupation. >> honestly, there are things more im

and barney miller. crime wisconsin.. involving tons of if you're doing everything right but find it harder and harder to get by, you're not alone. while our people work longer hours for lower wages, almost all new income goes to the top 1%. my plan -- make wall street banks and the ultrarich pay their fair share of taxes, provide living wages for working people, ensure equal pay for women. i'm bernie sanders. i approve this message because together, we can make a political revolution and create an economy and democracy that works for all actor abe vigoda has died. he played the character tessio in "the godfather". the legendary actor died in hospice care. vigoda continued voicing tessio in the godfather video games until 2007. his most famous role on tv was as detective phil fish on the '80s sitcom "barney miller." he is survived by one daughter. abe vigoda was 94-years old. all eyes are on the crumbling sea wall in pacifica, california. aerial footage from pacifica's coastline shows the heavy damage el nino powered stor

he was best known for his roles in "the godfather" and "barney miller." he was very special to all of us, lighting up the studio whenever he dropped by. he was the character actor with the unforgetably face. the look that made him look weary and rise through a career that spanned almost 70 years on stage, screen and television. >> you can't do that. >> reporter: when you saw that face in "the godfather," he just knew he was going to get whacked. >> make that my only business. i always liked him. >> i know, you love me. you know something, i rather be young. >> reporter: and it was the face that helped define the character of phil fish, the shop-worn detective with the dry sense of humor on the '70s hit tv show "barney miller". >> in an emergency, i would be the first one i would call. >> you should call me first. >> reporter: abe was a good friend to "today." helping us say good-bye to meredith. when they projected what i might look like in the future -- >> it's striking. >> reporter: there was that face again. >> abe vigod. >> abe! >> reporter: and he wo

. >> bar"barney miller." he dies at the age of 94. we'll say good-bye to a friend today, wednesday, january 27th, 2016. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on a wednesday morning. abe, abe, abe. abe vigoda has died. 94 years old. amazing actor in movies like that, the "godfather." "barney miller." that face, who could forget that face and that sense of humor? >> what about that big heart? so many times he came to stud joe owe 1a, one of our favorite guests. you don't kiss anyone on the head, matt. we'll look back shortly. >>> our top story, one protester in oregon shot dead, eight others arrested at the fbi and police look to end the siege at a wildlife refuge. joe fryer has the story. >> good morning. 25 days into this occupation, authorities decided it was time to make some arrests, but things turned violent. the confrontation turned out not at the wildlife refuge but a highway 50 miles away. some m

on television, shows like "barney miller." that face, who could forget that face and that sense of humor? >> what about that big heart? joe guests. you don't kiss anyone on the head, matt. we'll look back shortly. >>> our top story, one protester in oregon shot dead, eight others arrested at the fbi and police look to end the siege at a wildlife refuge. joe fryer has the story. >> good morning. authorities decided it was time to make some arrests, but things turned violent. the confrontation turned out not at the wildlife refuge but a highway 50 miles away. some members of the anti-government group were driving to a community meeting. >> reporter: along a rural highway, the fbi and oregon state police stopped the occupying vehicles to arrest members of the group when authorities say shots were fired. though they would not elaborate on two fire ed who fired. lavoy finicum was shot, who was a spokesperson. >> there are things more important than your life, and freedom is one of them. >> reporter: nbc spoke by phone with finicum'

. >>> also ahead, from the godfather to barney miller. we're remembering actor barney vigoda today. >>> pretty mild out here. mild temperatures took a bite out of the snowplows. now you might need your umbrellas. here's your next 7 on 7. look at the numbers, holding in the 40s. talk about that late week storm threat out to the weekend. we need an internet that can do more. we do more games, and more streaming. so we need more speed. that's why we switched to time warner cable. now we can connect more devices, at the same time. hi grandma and grandpa! ha, look at that! [laughs] time warner cable even has an internet plan for us. get 50 meg internet for $39.99 per month and ask about free installation. call 1-855-want twc. in new york state, we believe tomorrow starts today. all across the state the economy is growing, with creative new business incentives, and the lowest taxes in decades, attracting the talent and companies of tomorrow. like in the hudson valley, with world class biotech. and on long island, where great universities are cre

he was my favorite character on "barney miller," bish. brother of ralph, they're white, and joseph is playing michael jackson. >> what? >> yes. >> there is a huge controversy. i don't know if it's a controversy. >> what do you mean? >> i mean the white guy is playing michael jackson, the black guy. >> how great is this? >> the premise of the movie is better. >> bbc, right? >> we've run out of black american actors to play michael jackson. >> the premise of the film, it's a true road trip that elizabeth taylor, marlon and michael jackson took after -- >> amazing ride. >> who will play elizabeth taylor? >> i didn't know we were going to talk about this. >> i'm sorry. >> off topic a little bit. >> it's a hot topic. >> is it later in life michael jackson, is that why he's able to pull it off? >> post 9/11. >> lighter later in life. >> will you tell us more? >> it's done. very upset, as you can imagine. >> it's ridiculous. >> it is ridiculous. you also have this beef with british actors who get all the nominations in the u.s. >> movies and tv

he went on to stardom on abc's "barney miller." fish. >> i need time to put my teeth in. >> reporter: oddly, vigoda spent years fighting an urban legend he had already died. >> the rumor is that he died. >> abe is there in the control room? he is. >> reporter: that's on david letterman's show in 1988. like his character in "the godfather." >> tell mike it was only business. >> reporter: he knew the end was comimi. >> tom, can you get me off the hook? for old time sake? >> can't do it. >> reporter: abe vigoda was 94. gaifd wright, abc news, new york. >>> i remember growing up watching barney miller. hope to see you right back here tomorrow night. until then, good night. fred hexom fhexom@kcaututc om (fred) gogo evening! temperatures range from the upper 20s to the lower 30s as little bit cooler. but as skies clear tonight, we will see a colder nightn it will be 22 at 10 pm, 16 at 2 am, and 19 at 6 am. fog will settle in after midnight, and dense fog is possible. tomorrow, look for a nice day! but we have a chance of accumulating sno

he went on to stardom on abc's "barney miller." as the curmudgeonly detective fish. >> i need time to put my teeth in. >> reporter: oddly, vigoda spent years fighting an urban legend he had already died. >> the rumor is that he died. >> abe is there in the control room? he is. >> reporter: that's on david letterman's show in 1988. like his character in "the godfather." >> tell mike it was only business. >> reporter: he knew the end was coming. >> tom, can you get me off the hook? for old time sake? >> can't do it. >> reporter: abe vigoda was 94. gaifd wright, abc news, new york. >>> i remember growing up watching barney miller. hope to see you right back here

he went on to stardom on abc's "barney miller." as the curmudgeoeoy detective fish. >> i need time to put my teeth >> reporter: oddly, vigoda spent years fighting an urban legend he had already died. >> the rumor isp that he died. >> abe is there in the control room? he is. >> reporter: that's on david letterman's show in 1988. like his character in "the godfather." >> tell mike it was only business. reporter: he knew the end was coming. >> tom, can you get me off the hook? for old time sake? >> can't do it. >> reporter: abe vigoda was 94. gaifd wright, abc news, new york. > i remember growing up watching barney miller. hope to see you right back here morrow night. until then, good night.- at healthcare.gov i found affordable, quality coverage. - man: checkups, emergency services, prescriptions... my insurance covers erything for my family. - narrator: most people who enroll through healthcare.gov and avoid paying a fee of $695 or more. this is your last chance to enroll. - someone helped me find a high quality plan and financial h

"barney miller." as the curmudgeonly detective fish. >> i need time to put my teeth in. >> reporter: oddly, vigoda spent years fighting an urban legend he had already died. >> the rumor is that he died. >> abe is there in the control room? he is. >> reporter: that's on david letterman's show in 1988. like his character in "the godfather." >> tell mike it was only business. >> reporter: he knew the end was coming. >> tom, can you get me off the hook? for old time sake? >> can't do it. >> reporter: abe vigoda was 94. gaifd wright, abc news, new york. >>> i remember growing up watching barney miller. hope to see you right back here >> from boston' s news leader, this is wcvb newscenter 5 at 7:00. >> big news in a case 5 investigates has been covering from the beginning. heather: a man serving a life sentence for the rape of an elderly woman is ordered a new trial today. investigative reporter karen anderson now with more. karen: george perrot' s mother says this is a second chance at life for her son. he