Thomas Rocco Barbella better known as Rocky Graziano, was an American professional boxer who held the World Middleweight title. Graziano is considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history. He was ranked 23rd on The Ring magazine list of the greatest punchers of all time. Rocky Graziano fought many of the best middleweights of the era including Sugar Ray Robinson. His turbulent and violent life story was the basis of the 1956 Oscar-winning drama film, Somebody Up There Likes Me, based on his 1955 autobiography of the same title.
After his retirement from boxing, he co-hosted a short-lived series, The Henny and Rocky Show with comedian Henny Youngman. He was a semi-regular on The Martha Raye Show, as Raye's boyfriend. He appeared as a regular on the United Artists TV series Miami Undercover for its entire run, and appeared in several series, including The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, Car 54, Where Are You?, and Naked City.
