Joe Pesci's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Half Nelson Rocky Nelson

Main Movie Roles 2010 - Love Ranch 2006 - The Good Shepherd 1998 - Lethal Weapon 4 1997 - 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag 1997 - Gone Fishin' 1995 - Casino 1994 - With Honors 1994 - Jimmy Hollywood 1993 - A Bronx Tale 1992 - My Cousin Vinny 1992 - The Public Eye 1992 - Lethal Weapon 3 1992 - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 1991 - The Super 1991 - JFK 1990 - Goodfellas 1990 - Catchfire 1990 - Betsy's Wedding 1990 - Home Alone 1989 - Lethal Weapon 2 1988 - Moonwalker 1984 - Once Upon a Time in America 1983 - Easy Money 1980 - Raging Bull 1976 - The Death Collector

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:

• He has a house in Lavalette, New Jersey. In the 1980s, he established a reputation as a community Little League Baseball Coach.
• (Late April 2008) Ended his nine month engagement to 'Angie Everhart' (qv). The couple had been together for eight years.
• Was considered for the role of Owen in _Throw Momma from the Train (1987)_ (qv).
• Sang as Joe Doggs with jazz organ player 'Joey DeFrancesco' (qv). They recorded an album on Concord Records in 2003 titled, "Joey DeFrancesco featuring Joe Doggs, Falling in Love Again."
• After winning the oscar for his role as Tom DeVito in the movie _Goodfellas (1990)_ (qv) his entire acceptance speech was "This is an honor and privilege, thank you." When asked why he didn't say more he said "I really didn't think I was going to win."
• 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.
• Very good friends with fellow actor and frequent co-star, 'Robert De Niro' (qv).
• Has one daughter, Tiffany, with ex-wife 'Claudia Haro' (qv).