Lindy Alum Lauria Gets Portrait at Broadway Hot Spot

Adorning the Broadway Wall of Fame at hot spot Italian eatery Tony’s di Napoli are life-like portraits of the Great White Way’s finest talent – which now includes , Lindenhurst native and current star of Lombardi on Broadway.

The theater community considers it a great honor to have their likenesses added as permanent fixtures in Tony’s di Napoli’s dining room, which is why Broadway’s elite come out to celebrate the unveiling of new portraits.

And come out they did when Lauria – former star of The Wonder Years – and his Lombardi co-star Judith Light – former One Life to Live and Who’s the Boss star – had their portrait by artist Dan May unveiled on April 19.

Lombardi, a play by Eric Simonson, is based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered, written by David Maraniss, and tells the life and times of one of America's most rousing and motivational sports figures, Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi. The cast features Lauria in the title role, along with Light as his wife, Marie.

A star middle-linebacker at , Lauria later went on to play at Southern Connecticut State University before turning to acting.

It was clear at the portrait unveiling that Lauria is very much enjoying the meshing of his interest in football and acting with his current work in Lombardi.

As guests waited in suspense to take in the new portrait at Tony’s di Napoli, Valerie Smaldone, who acted as producer and emcee of the special event, joked with the former television stars.

Upon asking Lauria and Light “Who’s the Boss?” in their relationship, Lauria pointed at Light frantically from behind her back. Light laughed, saying that the evening brought her back to her “Wonder Years.”

Both actors were astonished at the impeccable detail and beautiful image that’s captured in the portrait, and were thrilled to share their moment with family, friends and the supporting cast of Lombardi: Bill Dawes, Robert Christopher Riley and Keith Knobbs.