Chazz Palminteri
{{Short description|American actor (born 1952)}}
{{Redirect|Chazz||Chazz (name)}}
{{Redirect|Palminteri|the composer and conductor|Antonino Palminteri}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chazz Palminteri
| image = Chazz Palminteri 2011 Shankbone.JPG
| caption = Palminteri in 2011
| birth_name = Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|5|15}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = {{marriage|Gianna Ranaudo|1992}}
| children = 2
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| years_active = 1983–present
| website = {{URL|chazzpalminteri.net}}
}}
Calogero Lorenzo "Chazz" Palminteri (born May 15, 1952)[http://www.chazzpalminteri.net/bio.htm Chazz Palminteri bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925152412/http://www.chazzpalminteri.net/bio.htm |date=September 25, 2017 }}. Chazzpalminteri.net. Retrieved on November 19, 2013. is an American actor. He is best known for his film roles in A Bronx Tale (1993), based on his play of the same name, Bullets Over Broadway (1994) for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and
The Usual Suspects (1995), as well as his recurring role as Shorty in Modern Family (2010–2019).
His other films include Mulholland Falls (1996), A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001), Little Man (2006), Once Upon a Time in Queens (2013), and Legend (2015). He is also known for his recurring roles in Wiseguy (1989), Kojak (2005), Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2014) and Godfather of Harlem (2019–2021).
Early life
Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri was born on May 15, 1952, in The Bronx, New York. He is the son of Rose (née Anello) (1921–2016), a homemaker and Lorenzo Palminteri (1919–2008), a bus driver.{{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Dennis |date=December 24, 1989 |title=A Playwright (And an Actor) Grows in the Bronx |work=Newsday |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103570802.html?dids=103570802:103570802&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+24%2C+1989&author=Dennis+Duggan&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=DENNIS+DUGGAN%27S+NEW+YORK+A+Playwright+(And+an+Actor)+Grows+in+the+Bronx&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131174449/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103570802.html?dids=103570802:103570802&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+24,+1989&author=Dennis+Duggan&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=DENNIS+DUGGAN'S+NEW+YORK+A+Playwright+(And+an+Actor)+Grows+in+the+Bronx&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 }} He was raised in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx.{{Cite news |last=Allis, Sam |date=March 22, 2009 |title=All that Chazz |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/03/22/all_that_chazz/?page=full |access-date=October 18, 2015 |website=Boston.com}} Palminteri is of Sicilian descent. All four of his grandparents were born in Sicily and emigrated to the United States. Both of his parents were born in New York, NY. His paternal grandparents, Calogero Palminteri and Rosa Bonfante, married in 1908 and emigrated in 1910 from Menfi in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. At the age of nine, Palminteri allegedly witnessed the murder of a mobster in front of his apartment building; the police questioned him, but he maintained that he did not see the incident.{{cite web | last=Wallenberg | first=Christopher | title=Chazz Palminteri and the real-life inspiration for 'A Bronx Tale' are forever intertwined | website=BostonGlobe.com | date=2019-03-31 | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2019/03/30/chazz-palminteri-and-real-life-inspiration-for-bronx-tale-are-forever-intertwined/dTk8xCYQtVJjVIC48gQVNO/story.html | access-date=2024-11-06}}
He struggled to become an actor, splitting his time between acting in off-Broadway plays and moonlighting as a bouncer, alongside Dolph Lundgren.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/dolph-lundgren-grace-jones-would-bring-as-many-as-five-girls-back-exhausting-1.3704513|title=Dolph Lundgren: Grace Jones would bring as many as five girls back... 'Exhausting'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=23 November 2018}} In 1988, Palminteri was working at a New York nightclub where a party was being thrown for Hollywood talent agent and dealmaker Irving Paul "Swifty" Lazar. When Lazar tried to enter, Palminteri stopped him as he did not know who he was. Lazar got him fired which led to the broke (and unemployed) Palminteri writing A Bronx Tale for himself to star in since he was not being offered any work.{{cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/558094/facts-about-a-bronx-tale-robert-de-niro|title=11 Surprising Facts About A Bronx Tale|date=September 28, 2018|website=www.mentalfloss.com}}
Career
=Theater=
Palminteri starred on Broadway in A Bronx Tale, the autobiographical one-man show based on his childhood that he first performed at Theatre West in Los Angeles in 1989.The Villager, Vol. 77, No. 23; November 7–13, 2007 Palminteri states that he began writing the play after being fired for refusing entry to super agent Swifty Lazar."Broadway Names with Julie James," On Broadway, SiriusXM, October 11, 2012.Winn, Steven. [http://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Palminteri-revisits-A-Bronx-Tale-3193917.php "Palminteri revisits 'A Bronx Tale'"] San Francisco Chronicle, September 23, 2008. The Broadway production, directed by Jerry Zaks and with music by John Gromada, began previews October 4, 1988, at the Walter Kerr Theatre and opened on October 25, running for 18 weeks. Palminteri plays 18 roles in A Bronx Tale, which depicts a rough childhood on the streets of the Bronx. The play ran for two months at Playhouse 91 in 1989.[http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=551402 "Cheri, Based on Colette's Classic Novella, Begins Performances Off-Broadway"]. Broadway.com. November 19, 2013.
Palminteri starred opposite Kenny D'Aquila in D'Aquila's play, Unorganized Crime.{{Cite web |title=Kenny D'Aquila |website=IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0195379/}}{{Cite web |title='Unorganized Crime' a quirky mob-family melodrama |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-theater-review-unorganized-crime-at-elephant-theatre-20140513-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times|date=May 16, 2014 }} Palminteri always appreciated the shot that Robert De Niro gave him, so he in turn agreed to star in D'Aquila's mafia-themed drama.{{Cite web |title=Chazz Palminteri Talks New Play 'Unorganized Crime,' Getting His Start from Robert DeNiro (Q&A) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chazz-palminteri-talks-new-play-702355 |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 8, 2014 }}
Palminteri performed in the Broadway musical version of A Bronx Tale in 2018.
=Film career=
Robert De Niro saw Palminteri's Broadway show of A Bronx Tale in 1990, and the two partnered together to adapt the play into a film. Palminteri created the screenplay and starred as Sonny, the gangster Calogero meets, while De Niro directed the film, making his directorial debut, and co-starring as Lorenzo, Calogero's father.{{Cite web | last=Vlastelica | first=Ryan | title=Chazz Palminteri on A Bronx Tale, Keyser Söze, and Stallone's career advice | url=https://www.avclub.com/chazz-palminteri-on-a-bronx-tale-keyser-soze-and-stal-1798245059| work=The A.V. Club| date=March 2, 2016 | access-date=February 27, 2020}} The film was a commercial and critical success.{{cite web|last=Kachka |first=Boris |url=https://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/39313/ |title=How 'A Bronx Tale' Got Told – New York Magazine |website=Nymag.com |date=October 14, 2007 |access-date=February 20, 2014}} In 1994, Palminteri played mob henchman Cheech in the black comedy film Bullets Over Broadway, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Palminteri also had performances in films such as The Usual Suspects, The Perez Family, Jade, and Diabolique, as well as comedic roles in films such as Oscar, Analyze This and Down to Earth.
During its run, he appeared in many advertisements for Vanilla Coke, in which he portrayed a mob boss who would threaten celebrities if they did not praise the taste of the product in question, and then let them walk away with the Vanilla Coke to "reward their curiosity", touching on its slogan at the time. Palminteri has voiced characters in various animated films, the most notable being Smokey in Stuart Little and Woolworth in Hoodwinked.
He made his directorial debut with an episode of Oz, then the television film Women vs. Men and the 2004 feature film Noel.
Palminteri's recent acting efforts include A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Running Scared, and Arthur and the Minimoys.
In 2004, he received the "Indie Hero Award" from the Method Fest Independent Film Festival for his artistic achievements in film.
=Television=
On January 20, 2010, Palminteri guested on Modern Family and played the same character on the November 2, 2011, episode.{{Cite news |last=Natalie Abrams |date=October 26, 2009 |title=Elizabeth Banks and Chazz Palminteri to Guest-Star on Modern Family |work=TVGuide.com |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Elizabeth-Chazz-ModernFamily-1011242.aspx}} Palminteri has reprised the role twice more in season 5. In June 2010, Palminteri began guest-starring on the TNT crime drama Rizzoli & Isles as Frank Rizzoli, Sr. He guest starred twice on the CBS drama Blue Bloods as Angelo Gallo, a mob lawyer and childhood friend of main character Frank Reagan.
Palminteri portrayed deceased mobster Paul Castellano in the 2001 TV film Boss of Bosses.
=Other work=
In 2011, Palminteri opened a restaurant, Chazz: A Bronx Original, in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood; their main foods are coal-fired pizza and Italian food. However, the restaurant closed in 2015.{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2015 |title=Chazz: A Bronx Original Closes |url=http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/2015/1/26/chazz-a-bronx-original-closes |access-date=January 22, 2016 |work=Baltimore magazine}} Palminteri opened an Italian restaurant, Chazz Palminteri Ristorante Italiano, in New York City on Second Avenue. Also, Palminteri did the voice acting for the Call of Duty: Black Ops II character Sal De Luca in the zombies map Mob of the Dead, and his likeness was used for the character as well.
File:Gianna Ranaudo Chazz Palminteri Shankbone 2010.jpg
On February 15, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Palminteri launched The Chazz Palminteri Show podcast on YouTube.{{Cite web |title=Chazz Palminteri Show - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@ChazzPalminteriShow/videos |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.youtube.com}} Palmintieri's guests on the podcast have included William Baldwin,{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2021 |title=A Chat With Billy Baldwin |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0vXSyiXImg |website=YouTube, Chazz Palminteri Show}} Kathrine Narducci,{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Spirituality of Acting with Kathrine Narducci |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVBgMtm9gho |website=YouTube, Chazz Palminteri Show}} Fat Joe,{{Citation |title=Fat Joe: Just Another Bronx Tale {{!}} Chazz Palminteri Show {{!}} EP 145 | date=November 6, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6pF7m63Puw |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en}} Mario Cantone,{{Citation |title=Mario Cantone: Comedy & Sex in the City {{!}} Chazz Palminteri Show {{!}} EP 154 | date=January 8, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTAJ37lSXs |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en}} and Shaquille O'Neal.{{Citation |title=Shaquille O'Neal {{!}} Chazz Palminteri Show {{!}} EP 158 | date=February 5, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8GFvCvAXWs |access-date=2024-02-19 |language=en}}
Personal life
Palminteri lives in Westchester County, New York, in the town of Bedford. He describes himself as a "very spiritual", devout Roman Catholic.Rypka, Marsala (December 2009) {{Cite web |title=With Chazz Palminteri |url=http://luxurylv.com/2009/12/up-close-and-personal/3756 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125092258/http://luxurylv.com/2009/12/up-close-and-personal/3756 |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |access-date=October 31, 2014 |website=luxurylv.com}}. He married Gianna Ranaudo in 1992, and together they have two children. He is a self-avowed New York Yankees fan.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1983
| Home Free All | Truck Hijacker | |
| 1985
| Hood No. 2 | |
| 1991
| Oscar | Connie | |
| rowspan="2" | 1992
| Tony Silva | |
| There Goes the Neighborhood
| Lyle Corrente | |
| 1993
| "Sonny" LoSpecchio | Also writer |
| 1994
| "Cheech" | |
| rowspan="4" | 1995
| US Customs Agent Dave Kujan | |
| The Perez Family
| Lieutenant John Pirelli | |
| The Last Word
| Ricky | |
| Jade
| Matt Gavin | |
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| Guy Baran | |
| Faithful
| Tony | |
| Mulholland Falls
| Detective Elleroy Coolidge | |
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| Lieutenant Laine Devon | |
| Hurlyburly
| Phil | |
| A Night at the Roxbury
| Benny Zadir | |
| rowspan="3" | 1999
| Primo Sidone | |
| The Book That Wrote Itself
| Mr. Palminteri | |
| Stuart Little
| Smokey | Voice |
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| King | |
| Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
| Buster | Voice; direct-to-video |
| One Eyed King
| Detective Eddie Dugan | |
| 2002
| Joe | |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Tweat | |
| Noel
| Arizona | Also director |
| rowspan="3" | 2005
| Animal | Kassada | Direct-to-video |
| In the Mix
| Frank Pacelli | |
| Hoodwinked!
| Woolworth | Voice |
| rowspan="5" | 2006
| Detective Rydell | |
| A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
| Monty Montiel | |
| Push
| Vince | |
| Little Man
| Mr. Walken | |
| Arthur and the Minimoys
| Travel Agent | Voice |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| The Bodyguard | Lee Maxwell | |
| The Dukes
| George | |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| Joe "Yonkers Joe" | |
| Jolene
| Sal Fontaine | |
| 2009
| Frank Gregorio | rowspan="2" | Direct-to-video |
| 2010
| Geno Scarpaci |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| Joe Fine | |
| The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure
| Milky Marvin The Milkshake | |
| rowspan="3" | 2013
| Ben Rose | |
| Metegol
| Ermitaño / Stinky | Voice; American dub |
| Final Recourse
| Dr. Tomman | |
| 2014
| Voice |
| 2015
| Legend | |
| 2019
| Vault | |
| 2020
| Clover | Tony | |
| TBA
| |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1986
| "Sonny" Cappelito | Episode: "Bald Ambition" |
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| Matlock | MP Sergeant Marcy | Episode: "The Court-Martial: Part 2" |
| Glory Years
| Drummond | rowspan="2" | TV movie |
| rowspan="5" | 1989
| Soldier |
| Dallas
| Frank | Episode: "He-e-ere's Papa!" |
| Valerie
| Leslie | Episode: "Viva Las Vegas" |
| 1st & Ten: The Championship
| Al | Episode: "Duty Call" |
| Wiseguy
| Peter Alatorre / Sal Rosselli | Recurring cast: Season 3 |
| 1990
| Sydney | Tony | Episode: "Love Ya, Babe" |
| 1997
| The Directors | Himself | Episode: "The Films of William Friedkin" |
| rowspan="2" | 1999
| Dilbert | Voice; episode: "Art" |
| Excellent Cadavers
| TV movie |
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson | Himself | Main host |
| Bravo Profiles
| Himself | Episode: "Rod Steiger" |
| Boss of Bosses
| TV movie |
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| Himself | Episode: "A Tribute to Robert De Niro" |
| Biography
| Himself | Episode: "Humphrey Bogart" |
| 2004
| Duke Walcott | Episode: "Lust for Life" |
| 2005
| Kojak | Captain Frank McNeil | Recurring cast |
| 2010
| Himself | Episode: "Episode #2.4" |
| 2010–2014
| Frank Rizzoli Sr. | Recurring cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 3-4 |
| 2010–2019
| "Shorty" | Guest Cast: Season 1, 3-5 & 9-10 |
| 2011
| Himself | Episode: "Ultimate Summer Party" |
| 2012
| Himself | Episode: "Chazz Palminteri" |
| 2012–2013
| Angelo Gallo | Guest Cast: Season 3-4 {{Cite web |title=Blue Bloods: Season 3, Episode 9 Secrets and Lies |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2513856/ |access-date=January 22, 2016 |website=IMDb.com}}{{Cite web |title=Blue Bloods: Season 4, Episode 8; Justice Served |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3245626/ |access-date=January 22, 2016 |website=IMDb.com}} |
| 2014
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Perry Cannavaro | Episode: "Jersey Breakdown" |
| 2017
| Vincent | Episode: "Plus One Is the Loneliest Number" |
| 2017–2018
| Burr | Voice; guest cast: Season 4 & 8 |
| 2019–2021
| Recurring cast: Season 1-2 |
| 2021
| Law & Order: Organized Crime | Manfredi Sinatra | Episode: "What Happens in Puglia" |
| 2021–2023
| Gravesend | Cesar Tremaldo | Recurring cast: Season 2 |
| 2023
| Tiny The Slug | Voice; episode: "A Slow Day in Zippy City!" |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Game ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2012
| Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca | Featured on 2013's "Uprising" downloadable content.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/video/109031/Call+of+Duty+Black+Ops+2+Mob+of+the+Dead+Chazz+Palminteri/|title = Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 – Mob of the Dead: Chazz Palminteri| date=May 16, 2013 }} |
=Documentary=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Notes |
|---|
| 1996
| Little Italy | |
| 1997
| Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's | |
| 1998
| Italians in America | |
| 2005
| Bullets Over Hollywood |
| 2008
| Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies | |
| 2014
| Journey to Sundance | |
| 2016
| Davi's Way | |
Awards and nominations
Theatre work
=Broadway=
- 2007 – A Bronx Tale: The Musical – performer
- 2013 – Human – performer and writer
- 2014 – Unorganized Crime – Sal Sicuso
- 2016 – A Bronx Tale: The Musical – writer and performer
=Off-Broadway=
- 1989 – A Bronx Tale – writer and performer
- 2002 – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui – Ernesto Roma
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Chazz Palminteri}}
- {{official|http://www.chazzpalminteri.net}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011201734/http://www.abronxtaleonbroadway.com/ A Bronx Tale on Broadway | The Official Website]
- [http://www.askchazz.com/ AskChazz.com]
- {{IMDb name|1590}}
- {{IBDB name|466710}}
- {{iobdb name|11546}}
{{Independentspiritbestsupportingmale 1987-1999}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palminteri, Chazz}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:People of Sicilian descent
Category:Catholics from New York (state)
Category:Film directors from New York City
Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male winners
Category:Male actors from the Bronx