Joe Dallesandro | |
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Born | Joseph Angelo D'Allesandro III December 31, 1948 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
Other names |
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Occupations |
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Years active | 1967–present |
Spouses | Leslie (m. 1967;div. 1969)Theresa (m. 1970;div. 1978)Kim Dallesandro (m. 1987) |
Children | 2 |
Joseph Angelo D'Allesandro III (born December 31, 1948) is an American actor and Warhol superstar. He was a sex symbol of gay subculture in the 1960s and 1970s, and of several American underground films before going mainstream. [1]
Dallesandro starred in the Andy Warhol-produced film Flesh (1968) as a male prostitute. Rolling Stone magazine declared Dallesandro's second starring film Trash (1970) as the "Best Film of the Year", making him a star of the youth culture, sexual revolution, and subcultural New York City art collective in the early 1970s. Dallesandro also starred in the Factory films Heat (1972), Andy Warhol's Frankenstein (1974), and Andy Warhol's Dracula (1974), which were directed by Paul Morrissey. Dallesandro later lived in Europe for several years where he starred in both genre and art films. Having returned to the United States, he also crossed over into mainstream roles such as mobster Lucky Luciano in the film The Cotton Club (1984).
Joe Dallessandro was born on December 31, 1948 in Pensacola, Florida, to Joseph Angelo D'Allesandro II, who was in the U.S. Navy. His mother, Thelma Testman, was 16 years old. [2] His parents separated soon after they moved to New Jersey when he was 2 years old. [3] Dallesandro and his younger brother Robert "Bobby" Dallesandro were placed in foster care of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Silano in North Babylon, New York. [3]
By the time Dallessandro was five years old, his mother was serving fifteen years in a U.S. federal penitentiary for interstate auto theft.[ citation needed ] He was later reunited with his mother in 1970. [2]
Dallesandro was initially content living with his foster parents, but as he became a teenager he reportedly began to resent them, thinking that they were preventing him from living with his father. [4] He became aggressive and repeatedly ran away from his foster home until his father finally relented and allowed Joe to live with him. [4]
At age 13, Dallesandro and his brother moved to Queens, New York to live with their paternal grandparents and their father. [5] "I was very rebellious," he recalled. [3] "I hated the Queens school. They were so far behind the Long Island school that I just lost interest." [3] He was expelled from school for punching the school principal. [3] After this, he began hanging out with gangs and stealing cars. At age 15, Dallesandro drove a stolen car through the Holland Tunnel without paying the toll. [3] He was stopped by a police roadblock and was shot once in the leg by police who mistakenly thought he was armed. Dallessandro managed to escape being caught by police, but was later arrested when his father took him to the hospital for his gunshot wound. He was sentenced to Camp Cass Rehabilitation Center for Boys in the Catskills in 1964. [6] In 1965, aged 16, he ran away from the camp, and went to live with his father in Florida. [3] Dallessandro made his way to the West Coast with a friend and briefly worked at a pizza shop. [3] He supported himself by nude modeling for Bob Mizer's Athletic Model Guild. [7]
By 1967, Dallessandro had returned to New York. He was married at the age of eighteen, and he was hustling around Times Square to pay for his drug habit. [8]
He met pop artist Andy Warhol and film director Paul Morrissey while they were shooting Four Stars (1967) in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, and they cast him in the film on the spot. [9] Dallesandro began working at the Factory as Warhol's bodyguard, general factotum, and occasional actor. [8]
Dallesandro appeared in Lonesome Cowboys (1968) before starring in the film Flesh (1968), a story of a male hustler—based on Dallesandro's experience—where he had several nude scenes. Flesh became a crossover hit with mainstream audiences, and Dallesandro became the most popular of the Warhol stars. Warhol would later comment "In my movies, everyone's in love with Joe Dallesandro." [10]
The Warhol and Morrissey films did not usually have a script so the actors improvised while the camera were rolling. [11] In 1970, Dallesandro told After Dark : "Sometimes they yell at me and say, 'Joe, you're really messing it up. Stop trying to act,' and then I usually do a good job. But if you watch carefully you'll see that my best performing comes when I have my clothes off. When I'm dressed I really don't give very good performances, but when I am not I really do a great job." [11]
After starring in Trash (1970), Dallesandro's underground fame began to cross over into the popular culture and he was viewed as a sex symbol. [11] New York Times film critic Vincent Canby wrote of him: "His physique is so magnificently shaped that men as well as women become disconnected at the sight of him." [12] Newsday film critic Jerry Parker wrote that "Joe Dallesandro, who is a mere 21 is to Andy Warhol what Clark Gable once was to Louis B. Mayer." [3] Dallesandro appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in April 1971. He was also photographed by some of the top celebrity photographers of the time: Francesco Scavullo, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon. [13]
According to Dallesandro, Francis Ford Coppola wanted him to screen test for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972). [8] However, the offer fell through when Warhol told Coppola's entourage that Dallesandro was a drug addict. [8]
Dallesandro also starred in the films Heat (1972), Andy Warhol's Frankenstein (1973), and Andy Warhol's Dracula (1974), directed by Morrissey. The latter two were filmed in Rome. After filming was complete, he remained in Europe and capitalized on his reputation as a cult figure in a series exploitation films in France and Italy. [8] [14] He appeared in Serge Gainsbourg's Je t'aime moi non plus (1976), which starred Gainsbourg's girlfriend, British actress Jane Birkin.
The death of Dallesandro's brother in 1977 sent him into a deep decline and his marriage dissolved in 1978. [8] After his return to the U.S. in 1979, he resided in a trailer park close to Seattle with his estranged mother and indulged in excessive drinking. [8] After relocating to Los Angeles, he cleaned himself and got a job as a taxi driver before returning to acting. [8]
He made several mainstream films during the 1980s and 1990s. One of his first notable roles was that of 1920s gangster Lucky Luciano in Francis Coppola's The Cotton Club (1984). Working with manager/attorney Stann Findelle, his career enjoyed a resurgence.
He had roles in Critical Condition (1987) opposite Richard Pryor, Sunset (1988) with Bruce Willis and James Garner, Cry-Baby (1990) with Johnny Depp, Guncrazy (1992) with Drew Barrymore, and Steven Soderbergh's 1999 film The Limey . He has also worked in television. In 1986, he co-starred in the ABC drama series Fortune Dane . The series lasted only five episodes. Dallesandro was also a regular for the first season (1987-1988) of the CBS crime drama series Wiseguy , appeared in three episodes of NBC's Miami Vice , and a two-hour episode of ABC's Matlock in 1990. [15]
A biography, Little Joe: Superstar by Michael Ferguson was released earlier in 2001, and a filmed documentary, Little Joe (2009), was released with Dallesandro serving as writer and producer. His adopted daughter, Vedra Mehagian, also served as a producer of the film.[ citation needed ]
In February 2009, Dallesandro received the Teddy Award, an honor recognizing those filmmakers and artists who have contributed to the further acceptance of LGBT people, culture and artistic vision.
He appeared in the Dandy Warhols' official video for "You are Killing Me" in 2016. [16]
In 2018 he starred as himself in Ulli Lommel's Factory Cowboys: Working with Warhol. The film was based on Lommel's own biography and partly on Dallesandro's memories of the period during which he worked with Andy Warhol. [17]
Dallesandro is openly bisexual. [18] He has been married three times and has two children. [19]
Aged 18, he married his first wife, Leslie, the daughter of his father's girlfriend, in 1967. Their son, Michael, was born December 19, 1968. The marriage was dissolved in 1969. His second marriage was to Theresa ("Terry") in 1970. Their son, Joseph A. Dallesandro, Jr., was born November 14, 1970. The couple divorced in early 1978. In 1987, Dallesandro was married a third time, to Kimberly ("Kim").[ citation needed ] Dallesandro has a grandson and a granddaughter by his son Michael, as well as a grandson by his son Joseph. [20]
Dallesandro's younger brother Robert Dallesandro died in 1977. [8] He had worked for Warhol as a chauffeur, also appeared in the films Flesh and Trash. [11] [21]
Semi-retired from acting, as of 2009 Dallesandro managed a residential hotel building in Los Angeles. [22]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1967 | Four Stars | College Wrestler | Alternative title: The 24 Hour Movie |
1968 | San Diego Surf | Joe | |
1968 | The Loves of Ondine | College Wrestler | |
1968 | Flesh | Joe, The Hustler | Alternative title: Andy Warhol's Flesh |
1968 | Lonesome Cowboys | Joe "Little Joe" | Alternative title: Ramona and Julian |
1970 | Trash | Joe Smith | Alternative title: Andy Warhol's Trash |
1972 | Heat | Joey Davis | |
1973 | Andy Warhol's Frankenstein | Nicholas, The Stableboy | Alternative title: Flesh for Frankenstein |
1974 | Blood for Dracula | Mario Balato, The Servant | Alternative title: Andy Warhol's Dracula |
1974 | The Gardener | Carl, The Gardener | Alternative titles: Garden of Death, Seeds of Evil |
1975 | The Climber | Aldo, The Climber | Alternative title: L'ambizioso |
1975 | Black Moon | Brother Lily | |
1975 | Savage Three | Ovidio Mainardi | Alternative title: Fango bollente |
1975 | Season for Assassins | Pierro Giaranaldi | Alternative title: Il tempo degli assassini |
1976 | Je t'aime moi non plus | Krassky | Alternative title: I Love You, I Don't or I Love You ... Neither Do I |
1976 | La Marge | Sigismond | Alternative title: The Streetwalker |
1978 | Safari Rally | Joe Massi | Alternative title: 6000 km di paura |
1978 | Killer Nun | Dr. Patrick Roland | Alternative titles: Suor Omicidi Deadly Habits |
1980 | Madness | Joe Brezzi | Alternative title: Vacanze per un massacro |
1981 | Merry-Go-Round | Ben | |
1982 | Queen Lear | Joseph Kunz, The Father | |
1984 | The Cotton Club | Charlie "Lucky" Luciano | |
1984 | Miami Vice | Vinnie DeMarco | Episode: "One Eyed Jack" |
1986 | Fortune Dane | Tommy "Perfect Tommy" Nicautri | 5 episodes |
1987 | Critical Condition | Stucky | |
1987 | Miami Vice | Alfredo Giulinni | Episode: "Down for the Count: Part 2" |
1987 | Wiseguy | Paul "Pat The Cat" Patrice | 5 episodes |
1988 | Sunset | "Dutch" Kieffer | |
1988 | The Hitchhiker | Gerard | Episode: "Fashion Exchange" |
1988 | Double Revenge | Joe Halsey | |
1989 | The Hollywood Detective | Eddie Northcott | Television movie |
1990 | Matlock | Bobby Boyd | 2 episodes |
1990 | Almost an Angel | Bank Hood Leader | |
1990 | Cry-Baby | Mr. Hackett | |
1991 | Inside Out | Richard | Segment: "The Diaries" |
1991 | Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue | Jules | |
1992 | Guncrazy | Rooney | |
1992 | Love Is Like That | The Boss | |
1994 | Sugar Hill | Tony Adamo | |
1995 | Theodore Rex | Rogan | Direct-to-video release |
1998 | L.A. Without a Map | Michael | |
1999 | The Limey | John "Uncle John", The Hitman | Credited as Joe Dallessandro |
2000 | Beefcake | Cameos, old footage | |
2002 | Pacino Is Missing | Sal Colletti | |
2008 | 3 Stories About Evil | Jean Maries | Short film |
2022 | Babylon | Charlie the Photographer | |
Paul Morrissey is an American film director, known for his early association with Andy Warhol. His most famous films include Flesh, Trash (1970), Heat, Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), all starring Joe Dallesandro, 1971's Women in Revolt and the 1980's New York trilogy Forty Deuce (1982), Mixed Blood and Spike of Bensonhurst (1988).
Warhol superstars were a clique of New York City personalities promoted by the pop artist Andy Warhol during the 1960s and early 1970s. These personalities appeared in Warhol's artworks and accompanied him in his social life, epitomizing his dictum, "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes". Warhol would simply film them, and declare them "superstars".
Jackie Curtis was a pansexual American underground actor, singer and playwright best known as a Andy Warhol superstar. Primarily a stage actor in New York City, Curtis performed as both a man and in drag. Curtis' plays included Glamour, Glory and Gold, Amerika Cleopatra, and Vain Victory. Curtis made her film debut as Jackie in Andy Warhol's 1968 Flesh, directed by Paul Morrissey starring Joe Dallesandro. Curtis starred as Jackie in Warhol's 1971 Women in Revolt film which satirizes the Women's Liberation Movement and alludes to Valerie Solanas and her SCUM Manifesto. While performing in drag on stage and screen, Curtis would typically wear lipstick, glitter, bright red hair, ripped dresses and stockings. Curtis pioneered this combination of camp trashy glamour as a style that inspired many entertainers, including Jayne County, the New York Dolls, and all following glitter rock musical performers of the late-1970s, such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Gary Glitter and Mott the Hoople.
The Factory was Andy Warhol's studio in Manhattan, New York City, which had four locations between 1963 and 1987. The Factory became famed for its parties in the 1960s. It was the hip hangout spot for artists, musicians, celebrities, and Warhol's superstars. The original Factory was often referred to as the Silver Factory. In the studio, Warhol's workers would make silkscreens and lithographs under his direction.
Trash is a 1970 American drama film directed by Paul Morrissey and starring Warhol superstars Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn and Jane Forth. The film features graphic scenes of intravenous drug use, sex, and frontal nudity.
Flesh is a 1968 American film directed by Paul Morrissey and starring Joe Dallesandro as a hustler working on the streets of New York City. It highlights various Warhol superstars, in addition to being the film debuts of both Jackie Curtis and Candy Darling. Also appearing are Geraldine Smith as Joe's wife and Patti D'Arbanville as her lover.
Women in Revolt is a 1971 American satirical film produced by Andy Warhol and directed by Paul Morrissey. It was initially released as Andy Warhol's Women. The film stars Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling, and Holly Woodlawn, three trans women and superstars of Warhol's Factory scene. It also features soundtrack music by John Cale.
Holly Woodlawn was an American actress and Warhol superstar who appeared in the films Trash (1970) and Women in Revolt (1971). She is also known as the Holly in Lou Reed's hit glam rock song "Walk on the Wild Side".
Bad, also known as Andy Warhol's Bad, is a 1977 comedy film directed by Jed Johnson and starring Carroll Baker, Perry King, and Susan Tyrrell. It was written by Pat Hackett and George Abagnalo, and was the last film produced by Andy Warhol before his death in 1987.
Lonesome Cowboys is a 1968 American Western film directed by Andy Warhol and written and produced by Paul Morrissey. The film is a satire of Hollywood Westerns, and was initially screened in November 1968 at the San Francisco International Film Festival, where it won the Best Film Award. On May 5, 1969, it was shown for initial viewings at the New Andy Warhol Garrick Theatre in New York City.
Flesh for Frankenstein is a 1973 horror film written and directed by Paul Morrissey. It stars Udo Kier, Joe Dallesandro, Monique van Vooren and Arno Juerging.
Blood for Dracula is a 1974 horror film written and directed by Paul Morrissey, and starring Udo Kier, Joe Dallesandro, Maxime McKendry, Stefania Casini, Arno Juerging and Vittorio de Sica. Upon its initial 1974 release in West Germany and the United States, Blood for Dracula was released as Andy Warhol's Dracula.
Heat is a 1972 American comedy drama film written and directed by Paul Morrissey, produced by Andy Warhol, scored by John Cale, and starring Joe Dallesandro, Sylvia Miles and Andrea Feldman. The film was conceived by Warhol as a parody of the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard. It is the final installment of the "Paul Morrissey Trilogy" produced by Warhol, following Flesh (1968) and Trash (1970).
Jed Johnson was an American interior designer and film director. TheNew York Times hailed Johnson as "one of the most celebrated interior designers of our time."
American artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol directed and produced nearly 150 films. Fifty of the films have been preserved by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2014, the Museum of Modern Art began a project to digitize films previously unseen and to show them to the public.
San Diego Surf is a 1968 feature film directed by Andy Warhol. The film stars Viva, Taylor Mead, Joe Dallesandro, Ingrid Superstar, Tom Hompertz, Eric Emerson, Nawana Davis, Michael Boosin, and Louis Waldon.
Geraldine Smith is an American actress. She is best known for having been a Warhol superstar, starring in the film Flesh (1968).
Jane Forth is an American actress and model She is best known for having been one of the Warhol superstars, starring in the films Trash (1970) and L'Amour (1972). She was also one of “Antonio’s Girls”, models and muses of fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.
The Garrick Cinema was a 199-seat movie house at 152 Bleecker Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. Andy Warhol debuted many of his notable films in this building in the late 1960s. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention played here nightly for 6 months in 1967.
The 55th Street Playhouse—periodically referred to as the 55th Street Cinema and Europa Theatre—was a 253-seat movie house at 154 West 55th Street, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, that opened on May 20, 1927. Many classic art and foreign-language films, including those by Jean Cocteau, Sergei Eisenstein, Federico Fellini, Abel Gance, Fritz Lang, Josef Von Sternberg and Orson Welles, were featured at the theater. Later, Andy Warhol presented many of his notable films in this building in the late 1960s. Other notable films were also shown at the theater, including Boys in the Sand (1971) and Him (1974).