Robert Davi

Robert Davi was born on June 26, 1951, in Astoria, Queens, New York. He pursued a drama scholarship at Hofstra University and further honed his acting skills studying with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Davi’s career began with his television film debut opposite Frank Sinatra in “Contract on Cherry Street.” His role as a Palestinian terrorist in “Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami” brought him critical acclaim, leading to his casting as the lead villain, Franz Sanchez, in the James Bond film “License to Kill” in 1989. Over his career, Davi has accumulated over 140 film and TV credits, showcasing a range from tough-guy roles to comedic performances.

Davi’s notable acting credits span decades, including roles as Jake Fratelli in “The Goonies” (1985), FBI Special Agent Big Johnson in “Die Hard” (1988), and Al Torres in “Showgirls” (1995). On television, he portrayed FBI Special Agent Bailey Malone in the NBC series “Profiler” from 1996 to 2000, a role recognized for influencing later crime dramas. In 2004, he joined “Stargate: Atlantis,” expanding his reach into science fiction. His recent film work includes “The Iceman” (2012) and “Expendables 3” (2014).

Beyond acting, Davi launched a singing career in 2011 with his debut album, “Davi Sings Sinatra- On the Road to Romance.” The album, produced by Phil Ramone, reached number 6 on Billboard’s Jazz Charts. Davi has since performed at venues like The Venetian in Las Vegas and the Harry Chapin Theater, receiving recognition for his interpretations of the Great American Songbook. In 2007, he directed, co-wrote, and starred in “The Dukes,” an acclaimed film that earned him awards for Best First-time Director and Best Screenplay at the Monte Carlo Festival of Comedy.