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Overcast Vito Ilardi
Making the most of his decades on the set to serve the community
Malverne resident Vito Ilardi has become known to many as one of the village’s hidden treasures. Although he may not be as well known as village natives such as actor Tony Danza and radio personality Dan Ingram, Ilardi, 88, is still considered a celebrity Malvernite because he spent more than 50 years working as a boom operator in the film and television industry.
Ilardi’s resume features production work on a variety of hit films like “Tootsie” and “The Wiz,” and dozens of iconic TV shows like “Kojak” and “The Patty Duke Show.” In fact, he is one of the few Malverne residents who has a page on the Internet Movie Database, or IMDb, a clearinghouse of information on movies, TV shows, actors, entertainment industry executives and production crew personnel that is known around the world.
It is Ilardi’s inclination to give back to the community, however, that has left the most lasting impression on those who know him. For nearly two decades he has used his knowledge of show-business production to help the village become the best it can be, and the Herald is proud to name him the 2009 Person of the Year.
Since 1994, Ilardi, a 45-year village resident, has volunteered his time as a sound mixer at the village’s TV station, Malverne TV 18. A hour before the board meetings each month, Ilardi can be seen making preparations for the broadcast with the rest of the station’s production team. Many residents say that he never hesitates to share his expertise with the young volunteers at the station.
“Vito is a really nice guy, and he’s fun to work with because he’s always telling us stories about what happened on the set of the movies and TV shows that he worked on,” said resident John Friia, a Valley Stream North High School student who volunteers at the station. “It’s always interesting to hear what he has to say about the industry because he’s worked with so many stars, and he’s definitely someone you can learn a lot from.”
Ilardi sets up the audio equipment at just about every public event in the village. Most notably, he helps to erect the public address system at the Malverne Merchants and Professional Association’s annual Fair and Classic Car Show, which features performances by area musicians.
