NEW: Cianci Checks Out of Hospital After Collapse, Attends Celebratory Dinner
Kate Nagle, GoLocalProv News Editor
NEW: Cianci Checks Out of Hospital After Collapse, Attends Celebratory Dinner
It is never dull in the life Cianci. The portrait ceremony was attended by more than 100, with hosts including former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino, Cranston Mayor Allen Fung, State Representative John Lombardi, Providence Council President Luis Aponte, Majority Leader Kevin Jackson and Union leader Paul MacDonald. The who's who had one glaring miss - sitting Mayor Jorge Elorza did not attend.
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During the ceremony, Cianci delivered the line of the year, when describing the painting Cianci said, "It's not the first time I've been framed," to a roar of laughter in the crowd.
After the Hospital
After the visit to the hospital, Cianci said in an interview with GoLocal that he appreciated the response and help from the Providence Fire Department. The Fire Department is in a major labor dispute with sitting Mayor Elorza.
Cianci, speaking from his post-portrait event at Roma on the Hill, told GoLocal the scare was chalked up as dehydration and low blood sugar.
"After my speech, I felt a little weak, it was hot in there," said Cianci. "Thank goodness for the firefighters, they got there quick and they did a great job."
Cianci's Career
Cianci spent 21 years as Mayor and oversaw the redevelopment and historic preservation of the City. He twice left office with felonies and served five years in federal prison. The Mayor is one the best known Mayors in America and has a national reputation for his overseeing the Renaissance era of Providence. In 2014, he ran again, but was beat by Elorza in the general election. Today, he hosts a radio show in the afternoons on WPRO-AM.
This article was originally published at 8:10 pm on November 19, 2015 and was updated.
Buddy Cianci in Pop Culture
Graffiti
Shepard Fairey exploded on to the global stage when he designed the iconic "Hope" poster of President Obama, but he had rocked Providence when he attended RISD with his installations/graffiti cut- and-past on Buddy Cianci's re-election posters.
Photo by El-Pablo via Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/el-pablo/4400073818/
Book
Mike Stanton, the author of "Prince of Providence," wrote the ultimate biography of Buddy Cianci - it was optioned for a movie with stars rumored for the role of Cianci ranging from Oliver Platt to Russell Crowe.
The movie has yet to be produced.
Jr. High
RISD grad Seth MacFarlane created the ultimate Rhode Island joke with his TV series, "Family Guy."
One of the show's backdrops is "Buddy Cianci Jr. High School."
Movie
Narrated by Rhode Island's own James Wood and directed by Sherry Wood, the documentary, "BUDDY, The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Mayor," proved to be a snap shot of Cianci's life.
Buddy's Book
Nothing says Buddy Cianci like Buddy's own tell all autobiography. The post-jail book tried to even some scores and serve as a balance to Pulitzer prize winning investigative reporter Mike Stanton's, "Prince of Providence."
Buddy's book with the short title of "Politics and Pasta," failed to deliver the context and range of Stanton's book.
T Shirt
The best Buddy T-shirt going.
Pasta Sauce
The infamous Buddy Cianci sauce was a favorite for the Mayor to hand out to VIPS.
The profits from the sale of the sauce are intended to support scholarship for students.
Early Art
One of the most expressive pieces of Buddy Cianci art was an early campaign poster from the 1970's.
The poster is now a collector's item.
60 Minutes
After his conviction but before he reported for Federal prison, Cianci appeared on CBS News' 60 Minutes news magazine.
Cianci was resolute in his appearance.
NBC Star
Buddy Cianci had his appearances on the 1999 NBC prime time drama, "Providence."
The show was shot in part in the Rhode Island capitol city. Cianci seemed to be everywhere during the production of the show.
GOP
"The next Governor of RI" was how Cianci was introduced at the GOP national convention in 1980.
Take a look at Cianci's speech as captured in a Flashback on NBC 10.
