Although Calfa appeared in many high-profile films and television series, he was perhaps best known for his turn (in a rare leading role) as mortician Ernie Kaltenbrunner in the 1985 cult zombie horror-comedy The Return of the Living Dead, and the bumbling hitman in Weekend at Bernie's.

[2] Before transitioning to film, Calfa worked heavily in theater, appearing in many Off-Off-Broadway productions and having performed on Broadway in 1965 in Mating Dance and in 1971 in Lenny.

[4] Although he worked extensively as a dramatic actor, Calfa is perhaps best recognized for his comedic performances in various cult films, including as Paulie in Weekend at Bernie's, Scarface in Foul Play, Harold Grand in Treasure of the Moon Goddess and mad scientist Ralph Willum in Chopper Chicks in Zombietown.

Calfa was perhaps best known for his major role in the 1985 cult horror-comedy The Return of the Living Dead, in which he played the eccentric, gun-toting, and bleached-blonde mortician Ernie Kaltenbrunner.

[5] He remained good friends with the rest of the Living Dead cast and crew, and made appearances alongside them at horror conventions and screenings of the film across the United States.