Joe Santos

Joe Santos (1931-2016) was an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Sgt. Dennis Becker (later Lieutenant) on the NBC crime drama The Rockford Files, alongside James Garner. Santos was born on June 9, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career as a football player at Fordham University before transitioning to acting. Santos struggled in show business until his friend Al Pacino helped him secure a role in the 1971 film The Panic in Needle Park. He also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Santos appeared in several notable films of the early 1970s. He had a diverse career in both movies and television.