Today is a sad day for pizza.
James Martin Pedersen, known locally as the mustachioed face of Rocky Rococo Pizza and Pasta, passed away last Thursday.
The Rocky’s family is saddened by the loss of our friend who
played Rocky, Jim Pedersen. He loved making fans happy. https://t.co/VCMo0fU6Fp— Rocky Rococo (@rockyrococo) February 8, 2016
If you haven’t been to a Rocky Rococo pizzeria, you’ve certainly seen the brand’s flashy advertising wraps on local buses, complete with two brake lights giving a fiery red glow to Rocky’s eyes.
Pedersen has played the eccentric pizza fanatic since 1976, and became very close with Wayne Mosley, co-founder of the original Rocky Rococo franchise in Madison.
“He became literally the face of Rocky. Everything was built around him,” Mosely told Channel 3000. “He was a wonderful, talented guy.”
Iconic in Madison and recognized throughout Wisconsin, pizza lovers nationwide will mourn Pedersen’s passing.
Rest easy, pizza prince.
