'' (1976). Standing, L-R:
Carole Ita White,
Phil Foster, Mekka,
Betty Garrett. Middle row, standing:
Penny Marshall,
Cindy Williams. Seated:
Michael McKean,
David Lander. In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the
Worcester County Light Opera in
Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing. he moved to
Los Angeles. He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa for
Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until its 1983 cancellation. He had a small role in the
Penny Marshall-directed 1992 film,
A League of Their Own as the dance partner of Mae (
Madonna) in the bar. Onstage, he performed in
Hairspray at
the Luxor in
Las Vegas, Nevada, and in a national tour of
Grease with
Cindy Williams. Mekka returned to off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy ''My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy!'' at the
Westside Theatre. and the Fort Lauderdale, Florida areas. Mekka reunited with his
Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the
Renée Taylor-
Joseph Bologna comedy play
It Had to Be You. In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film
Code Enforcer. He starred opposite
Erin Moran of
Happy Days. In 2010, Mekka starred as
Tevye in
Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in
Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20. ==Personal life==