|
|
|
|
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Joe attended St. Johns for two years, majoring in communications. His passion then switched to cooking and he soon became a self-taught chef. During the early 1980's he worked in Manhattan, Boston, Los Angeles and New Orleans. While in Manhattan, fellow actor, Tim Kelleher suggested he audition for a play called The Juicemen.
After enjoying his time in the play, he hired private acting instructor Bob Patterson. Joe then headed out to Los Angeles in the early 1990's, where he landed his first movie role in Money for Nothing. Coming back to N.Y. in 1995, he opened up restaurants in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and continued to dabble in acting.
His acting career got a boost from Benecio Del Toro, whom he met on the set for Money for Nothing. Benecio cast him in his directorial debut in the short Submission as the lead with Matthew McConaughney and Valeria Golino. Benicio also introduced him to Sheila Jaffe and Georgianne Walken, both who cast for the Sopranos. Through that connection, Joe was casted in Basquiat, Two Family House and finally, the first season in The Sopranos. In the eigth episode, playing a character named Gino, he appeared in the famous bakery scene in which Michael Imperioli shoots the baker in the foot. (Joe's famous line was "What about my bread?"). In the second season, Joe was renamed Vito Spatafore. He is the nephew of the character Richie Aprile, played by David Proval. Although Richie is now 6 feet under, Joe lives on.
For the third season, his role on the show has been greatly expanded. Joe appeared appeared in episodes 2, 5, 6, 8 and 13. Jackie Jr's assassin will not be forgotten.
|
|
|
TELEVISION AND FILM
Art Imitating Life, (pre-production) (in talks) .... Mickey Muroe (2007)
The Sopranos (H.B.O. Production), Character: Vito Spatafore (recurring), Directed by: Various Directors (200x-2006)
Beer League, Character: Giusuppe Primavera, (2006)
Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits, Character: Film Critic and Fan, Directed by Larry Blamire, (2005)
Law & Order, Character: Artie Baldo, (1 episode, 2004)
Skell, Character: Casino Boss, Directed by Tim Kellerher, (2004)
The Kings of Brooklyn, Character: Trader the Hut, Directed by Lance Lane, (2004)
Dog's Life, Character: Walter, Directed by John Knapich, (2003)
Two Family House, Character:Shooting Gallery Attentant, Directed by Ray DeFelitta, (2000)
Mickey Blue Eyes, Character: Jimmy, Directed by Kelly Makin, (1999)
On The Run, Character: Frank, Directed by Bruno De Almaieda, (1999)
Blunt, Character: Paramedic, Directed by Jonathan Gruber, (1998)
Blowfish, Character: Gino (lead), Directed by Mark Caragiulo, (1997)
The Funeral, Character: Rocco, Directed by Abel Ferrara, Uncredited, (1996)
Basquiat, Character: Asylum Security, Directed by Julian Schnabel, (1996)
Submission, Character: Eddie (lead), Directed by Benecio Del Toro, (1995)
Never Talk To Strangers, Character: Carnival M.C., Directed by Peter Hall, (1995)
Ed Wood, Character: Fred the Guard, Directed by Tim Burton, (1994)
Money For Nothing, Character: Charlie DiSalvo, Directed by Ramon Menendez, (1993)
Goodfellas, (Uncredited) Directed by Martin Scorsese (1990)
Airbag, Marty La Coco, Directed by Chris Morrison
Question Mark, Character: Mr. Smelts, Directed by Dan Taylor
The Dark Place, Character: Danny, Directed by Father Dan Cutrara
976-WISH, Character: Frankie, Directed by James Francis
The Nuisance, Character: Edmond (lead), Directed by James Weshing
Mr. Fuji, Character: Mr. Fuji (lead), Directed by Zbigniew Gaboykle
King Of Clubs, Character: Beano, Directed by Ed Plank
|
|
|
|
|
INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
Dinner with the FoodFellas, TV pilot, (2006)
|
|
|
|
|
AS HIMSELF
Celebrity Fit Club (7 episodes),(2005)
Howard Stern on Demand, (3 episodes), (2006)
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, (1 episode), (2006)
Dinner with the FoodFellas, TV pilot (2006)
HBO: The Making of 'The Sopranos: Road to Respect' (2006)
Howard Stern, (2004)
|
|
|
|
|
THEATER HISTORY
The Juicemen, Character: Sal, Locale: Colony Theater
Annie Get Your Gun, Character: Sitting Bull, Locale: St. Mary's Theater
Some Men Need Help, Character: Gaetano, Locale: 101 Theater, The Chase Edwin Colony Theater
Bleacher Bums, Character: Marvin, Locale: 18th Street Playhouse
My Three Angels, Character: Jean, Locale: 18th Street Playhouse
Fools, Character: Snetsky, Locale: Colony Theater
Cellular Fascism, Character: Rick, Locale: Al's National Theater
Telegram, Character: Man #1, Locale: Al's National Theater
The Peacock Sings, Character: M.C., Locale: Al's National Theater
|
|
|
|
|
THEATER TRAINING
Acting: Robert Patterson, Natalija Nogulich, Tim Kelleher
Voice: Joseph Galiano
Speech: Robert Merrill, PhD
Dance: Steps Studio
|
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL SKILLS
Dialects, Sports, Ballet, Professional Chef, Singing, Motorcycling and...Fluent Bullshit
|
|
|
|
|
CONTACT INFORMATION
To email Joseph R. Gannascoli:
JRG0215@aol.com
|
|
|
