Joe Pesci

Joseph Frank Pesci was born on February 9, 1943, in Newark, New Jersey. His early life involved diverse experiences, including working as a barber and pursuing a musical career. In the mid-1960s, he released a record under the stage name Joe Ritchie titled “Little Joe Sure Can Sing” and played guitar in several bands, notably with Joey Dee and The Starliters. He also formed a vaudeville-style comedy act with his friend Frank Vincent. Pesci’s first film role was an uncredited dancer in “Hey, Let’s Twist!” (1961), followed by a minor role fifteen years later in “The Death Collector” (1976).

Pesci’s career trajectory significantly shifted when Robert De Niro saw his work in “The Death Collector” and recommended him to director Martin Scorsese. This led to his breakout role as Joey LaMotta in the acclaimed boxing film “Raging Bull” (1980), which garnered him a BAFTA Film Award for Newcomer to Leading Film Roles and an Academy Award nomination. Throughout the 1980s, Pesci appeared in various films, solidifying his presence in Hollywood. His comedic talents shone through as Leo Getz in “Lethal Weapon 2” (1989), a role he would reprise in subsequent sequels. His portrayal of the psychotic gangster Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas” (1990) earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Demonstrating his versatility, Pesci also starred in successful comedies like “Home Alone” (1990) and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992), where he played bumbling burglar Harry Lyme. He delivered a memorable performance as the titular character in “My Cousin Vinny” (1992). He continued his collaborations with Scorsese and De Niro in films such as “Casino” (1995) and, after a period of semi-retirement from acting in 1999 to focus on music, returned for “The Irishman” (2019), which earned him another Academy Award nomination. He also appeared in the comedy series “Bupkis” (2023) and the film “Day of the Fight” (2023).