Biography
Joseph Pesci (born February 9, 1943), better known as Joe Pesci, is an Italian-American actor, comedian and singer who is often typecast as a violent mobster (Nicky Santoro from Casino or Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas) or as a grouchy funnyman (Vincent Gambini from My Cousin Vinny or Harry Lime from Home Alone). He is 5'4" tall.
Pesci was born in Newark, New Jersey where he worked as a singer in the 1960s, releasing an album entitled Little Joey Sure Can Sing under the name Joseph Richie. Also in his band was good friend and future fellow actor Frank Vincent. As an actor his breakthrough came in 1980 opposite Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's boxing film Raging Bull. Subsequently he acted opposite De Niro several times, often in a similar role: in Once Upon A Time In America (in which he was cast at the behest of his friend De Niro), Goodfellas (for which he received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), and Casino. The pairing became well-known enough to inspire a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live, called The Joe Pesci Show. Pesci also starred in Home Alone, JFK,and My Cousin Vinny. He also appears in three of the Lethal Weapon films.
In 1999, Pesci announced that he was leaving acting in order to pursue his musical career. Finally in 2004-2005, he announced that he was coming out of retirement and is going to star in his good friend Robert DeNiro's The Good Shepherd.
Trivia
His song My Cousin Vinny was a pretty big hit in some European countries (the song is not directly related to his movie My Cousin Vinny (1992)).
He recorded an album in the 60s under the name Joe Ritchie. Titled "Little Joe Sure Can Sing", it flopped.
Started out with Joey Dee And The Starliters, working his way around as a waiter and singing and playing guitar in local nightclubs.
Director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro tracked down Pesci after seeing his role in The Death Collector (1976) because they felt he was perfect for the role of Joey La Motta in Raging Bull (1980).
Each of his eyes are different colors.
Born at 11:45am-EWT.
The word Pesci in Italian means "fish" (plural).
Pesci's close friend George Carlin mentions him in his bit "There is No God," in which Carlin says that he prays to Joe Pesci because, unlike God, Pesci can get things done... especially with a baseball bat.
After accepting his Oscar for the role of Tommy DeVito, his entire acceptance speech was "This is an honor and privilege, thank you very much." When asked why he didn't say more, he said, "I really didn't think I was going to win."
Did judo in his teens.
Is an avid golfer.
Very good friends with fellow actor and frequent co-star, Robert De Niro.
Sang as Joe Doggs with jazz organ player Joey DeFrancesco. They recorded an album on Concord Records in 2003 titled, "Joey DeFrancesco featuring Joe Doggs, Falling in Love Again."
Pesci has a house in Lavallette, New Jersey. In the 1980s, he established a reputation as a community Little League Baseball Coach.
When Robert De Niro first called Pesci to ask him to play Joey LaMotta in Raging Bull, he was convinced that it was a prank call and almost hung up the phone.
Filmography
The Good Shepherd (2006)
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)
Gone Fishin' (1997)
Casino (1995)
Jimmy Hollywood (1994)
With Honors (1994)
A Bronx Tale (1993)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
The Public Eye (1992)
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
JFK (1991)
The Super (1990)
Home Alone (1990)
Goodfellas (1990)
Betsy's Wedding (1990)
Catchfire (1990)
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Moonwalker (1988)
The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway (1988)
Man on Fire (1987)
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Easy Money (1983)
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983)
Dear Mr. Wonderful (1982)
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982)
Raging Bull (1980)
The Death Collector (1976)
Out of It (1969)
Hey, Let's Twist (1961)
