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Joe Pesci
Age: 66
Height: 5' 4"
Birth Place: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Born: Feb. 9th, 1943
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Joe Pesci's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Compact Italian-American actor born February 9, 1943, in Newark, NJ, who first broke into entertainment as a child actor and by the mid-50s was starring on the series "Star Time Kids". In the mid-'60s he released a record under the stage name of "Joe Ritchie" titled "Little Joe Sure Can Sing", and was also playing guitar with several bands, including Joey Dee (I) and The Starliters. He even joined with friend Frank Vincent (I) to start a vaudeville-style comedy act, but met with limited success (interestingly, Pesci and Vincent would later go on to co-star in several gangster films together, including Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995))
Pesci's first film role was as an uncredited dancer in Hey, Let's Twist (1961) and then he had to wait another 15 years for a minor part in The Death Collector (1976). His work in the second film was seen by Robert De Niro, who convinced director Martin Scorsese to cast him as "Joey LaMotta" in the epic boxing film Raging Bull (1980), which really got him noticed in Hollywood. He played opposite Rodney Dangerfield in Easy Money (1983), was with buddy DeNiro again in Once Upon a Time in America (1984), nearly stole the show as con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and scored a Best Supporting Actor Oscar playing the psychotic Tommy DeVito in "Goodfellas".
His comedic talents shone again in the mega-popular Home Alone (1990), and he put in a terrific performance as co-conspirator David Ferrie in JFK (1991). Pesci was back again as Leo Getz for Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), and was still a bumbling crook in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), and had a minor role in the Robert De Niro-directed A Bronx Tale (1993). He was lured back by Scorsese to play another deranged gangster named Nicky (based on real-life hood Tony Spilotro [aka "The Ant"]) in the violent Casino (1995), and starred in the comedies 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997) and Gone Fishin' (1997), although both failed to fire at the box office.
He returned again as fast-talking con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998).
TRIVIA:
- Director 'Martin Scorsese' (qv) and actor 'Robert De Niro' (qv) tracked down Pesci after seeing his role in _The Death Collector (1976)_ (qv) because they felt he was perfect for the role of Joey La Motta in _Raging Bull (1980)_ (qv).
- Very good friends with fellow actor and frequent co-star, 'Robert De Niro' (qv).
- Was the original choice to play "Fergie" in _Judge Dredd (1995)_ (qv) but turned it down. The part was given to 'Rob Schneider (I)' (qv), instead.
- Is an avid golfer
- His performance as "Tommy DeVito" in _Goodfellas (1990)_ (qv) is ranked #96 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
- Did Judo in his teens
- _The Good Shepherd (2006)_ (qv) was the first movie he made within 8 years.
- Reprised his character from _My Cousin Vinny (1992)_ (qv) for his 1998 album "Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You". The single "Yo Cousin Vinny" was a hit in some European countries.
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