Dominic Chianese

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Dominic Chianese
Dominic Chianese (cropped).jpg
Chianese in 2011
Born (1931-02-24) February 24, 1931 (age 92)
New York City, U.S.
Education Bronx High School of Science
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, musician
Years active1952–present

Dominic Chianese (Italian pronunciation: [kjaˈneːze;-eːse] ; born February 24, 1931) is an American actor, singer, and musician. He is best known for his roles as Corrado "Junior" Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos (1999–2007), Johnny Ola in The Godfather Part II (1974), and Leander in Boardwalk Empire (2011–2013).

Contents

Early life

Chianese was born in the Bronx, New York. His father was a bricklayer. [1] His paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from Afragola, [2] in the metropolitan city of Naples in 1904 and settled in the Bronx. Chianese graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1948. [3] [4]

Career

After a decade of attending college and appearing in off-Broadway theatre, Chianese attended his first professional acting class at HB Studio in Manhattan, with renowned teacher Walt Witcover. Drama and musical theater became his passion. His first Broadway show was Oliver! in 1965. Chianese has continued to perform in Broadway theatre, Off Broadway, and regional theatre. To supplement income in the dry periods, he played rhythm guitar and sang in taverns and restaurants, and also served as the master of ceremonies at the open microphone night at Gerdes Folk City in Greenwich Village. [5] Chianese's first television credit occurred when George C. Scott recommended him for a role in the acclaimed series East Side/West Side . In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola cast Chianese as Johnny Ola in The Godfather Part II , which sparked a film career, culminating in several films (and plays) with Al Pacino.

Before being cast in The Godfather Part II, Chianese worked for the Drug Commission of New York State as a recreational worker in a rehabilitation center. He taught guitar to women who were serving time for drug-related crimes.

In 2010, Chianese received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.

Chianese has appeared in four movies with Al Pacino:

Chianese is an accomplished tenor [6] and musician. He released a CD titled Hits in 2000, on which he sings American and Italian songs, that he recorded in Nashville. [7] He performed Salvatore Cardillo's sentimental classic "Core 'ngrato" ("Ungrateful Heart"), on the third-season finale of The Sopranos (episode 3.13, "Army of One"). In 2003, Chianese, along with AOL Music, released a second CD titled Ungrateful Heart, which features 16 classic Neapolitan songs. In the 2000s he played in a mandolin quartet weekly at the Hotel Edison, New York City. [8]

Chianese appeared as a guest actor on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire for three seasons as Leander Whitlock, a retired lawyer and power broker.

In December 2018, Chianese and co-author Matthew Sargent published a biography of Chianese, titled Twelve Angels: The Women Who Taught Me How to Act, Live, and Love. [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1972 Fuzz Panhandler
1974 The Godfather Part II Johnny Ola
1975 Dog Day Afternoon Mr. Wortzik
1976 All the President's Men Eugenio R. Martínez
1978 Fingers Arthur Fox
1978 On the Yard MendozaUncredited
1979 Firepower Orlov
1979 ...And Justice for All Carl Travers
1981 Fort Apache, the Bronx Mr. Corelli
1989 Second Sight Father Dominic
1990 Q&A Larry Pesch / Vito / Lorenzo Franconi
1991 Out for Justice Mr. Madano
1992 The Public Eye Spoleto
1993Rivalen des Glücks – The ContendersFather of the bride
1993The Night We Never MetNosy Neighbor
1996 If Lucy Fell Al
1996 Love Is All There Is Italian Consul
1996The MouseAl the Trainer
1996 Looking for Richard HimselfDocumentary
1997 Night Falls on Manhattan Judge Impelliteri
1998 Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five Mickey
1999 Cradle Will Rock Silvano
2002 Unfaithful Frank Wilson
2004 When Will I Be Loved Count Tommaso Lupo
2004 King of the Corner Stan Marshak
2007 The Last New Yorker Lenny Sugarman
2007 Adrift in Manhattan Tommaso Pensara
2011 Mr. Popper's Penguins Reader
2013 The Family Vinnie Caprese
2017 Active Adults Bart

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1964 East Side/West Side CharleyEpisode: "The Street"
1976 Kojak George MallickEpisode: "A Hair-Trigger Away"
1980 A Time for Miracles PromoterTelevision movie
1981 Ryan's Hope Alexei Vartova40 episodes
1986 Tales from the Darkside Correlli's fatherEpisode: "A Choice of Dreams"
1989 L.A. Law Dr. Peter Lacker (uncredited)Episode: "I'm in the Nude for Love"
1990The Lost CaponeGabriel CaponeTelevision movie
1991 Law & Order Dan RubellEpisode: "Sonata for Solo Organ"
1995–1997 Law & Order Judge Paul Kaylin2 episodes
1996 Gotti Joe Armone Television movie
1997 Cosby —Episode: "Lucas Raymondicus"
1999–
2007		 The Sopranos Corrado 'Junior' Soprano 55 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2000)
Nominated—Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2000–01)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2001–03, 2005, 2007)
2004 Hope & Faith Irv MillerEpisode: "Trade Show"
2004 Crimes of Fashion GeorgeTelevision movie
2010 Damages Stuart Zedeck7 episodes
2010 Blue Bloods Jack 'Happy Jack' VintanoEpisode: "Officer Down"
2011 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Vic2 episodes
2011–2013 Boardwalk Empire Leander Cephas Whitlock12 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2012)
2012–2015 The Good Wife Judge Michael Marx5 episodes
2019 The Village EnzoMain cast
2019 Inspector Montalbano John ZuckEpisode: "Un diario del '43"
Chianese's voice is dubbed by Gianni Giuliano

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References

  1. ↑ "Dominic Chianese Biography (1934?-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  2. ↑ Chianese, Dominic Fordham Research Commons
  3. ↑ "Jon Favreau & E.L. Doctorow At Bronx Science Gala". Bronx.com. April 25, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Bronx High School Of Science Celebrates 75 Years With Gala". Looktothestars.org. March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Musicians Recall Dylan's First Big Gig and 25 Years of Music History at Gerde's Folk City". Bedfordandbowery.com. September 29, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. ↑ "News: "Dominic Chianese Scores A Hit With 'Hits'"". BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.). September 18, 2001. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Country Beat: Alecia Elliott, Dominic Chianese, Chet Atkins ..." MTV. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ Angell, Roger. "This Old Man". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Twelve Angels | Book by Dominic Chianese, Matthew Sargent | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster". Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
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