James J. Rivetti; Retired Musician, Music Teacher

James J. Rivetti, a musician who performed in several films, has died in Van Nuys. He was 78.

Rivetti died Friday of a heart attack, said his wife, Irene Rivetti.

A native of Italy, Rivetti came to the United States when he was 4 years old. He moved to Van Nuys in 1943 and began playing the piano and accordion in films. He appeared in “Cloak and Dagger” (1946), “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952) and “Jailhouse Rock” (1957), among others. From the mid-1940s until his retirement in the late 1960s, Rivetti taught music at his home.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years; daughters, Gilda Boswell of Newport Beach, Esther Garvin of Van Nuys, Rita Stalker of Sacramento and Norma Rivetti of Porterville; brothers, Louie Rivetti of Greenville, Ohio, and Tony Rivetti of Baltimore; sisters, Carmella Ross of Aliquippa, Pa. and Anna Rivetti of North Miami, Fla.; and two grandsons.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Elisabeth Catholic Church, 6628 Cedros Ave., Van Nuys. Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. Pierce Brothers-Meyer Mitchell Mortuary in Van Nuys handled the arrangements. Donations can be made in Rivetti’s name to the American Heart Assn., Northwest Division.