Joe Grifasi

Last updated
Joe Grifasi
Born
Joseph G. Grifasi

(1944-06-14) June 14, 1944 (age 80)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Other namesJoseph Grifasi
Education Canisius College (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1974–present
Spouse Jane Ira Bloom

Joseph G. Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia (née Gaglione) and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. [1] Grifasi graduated from Bishop Fallon High School, a now-defunct Roman Catholic high school in Buffalo, when he made the decision that he wanted to be, not just any old actor, but a character actor. [2]

Career

Grifasi has more than a hundred-thirty film and television credits to his name, including two New York Yankees elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Phil Rizzuto in 61* , set in 1961; and Yogi Berra in The Bronx Is Burning , set in 1977. [1]

From 2005 and 2021, Grifasi has portrayed Defense Attorney Hashi Horowitz, who goes on to become a Superior Court Judge on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit . [3] [4]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978 On the Yard Morris
1978 The Deer Hunter Bandleader
1979 Something Short of Paradise Barney Collins
1980 Hide in Plain Sight Matty Stanek
1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Osvaldo
1982 Still of the Night Joseph Vitucci
1984 The Flamingo Kid Mario Minetta
1984 The Pope of Greenwich Village Jimmy the Cheese Man
1984 Splash Manny
1985 Bad Medicine Gómez
1985 Brewster's Millions J.B. Donaldo
1986 F/X Mickey
1987 Ironweed Jack
1987 Matewan Fausto
1987 Moonstruck Shy Waiter
1988 The Appointments of Dennis Jennings BartenderShort
1988 Beaches Otto Titsling
1988 Big Business Desk Clerk
1989 Chances Are Omar
1988 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! Foreman
1989The FeudBud Bullard
1990 Presumed Innocent Tommy Molto
1991 City of Hope Pauly
1992Primary MotivePaul Melton
1993 Benny & Joon Mike
1993 Household Saints Frank Manzone
1994 The Hudsucker Proxy Lou
1994 Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult Director
1994 Natural Born Killers Deputy Sheriff Duncan Homolka
1995 Batman Forever Bank Guard
1995 Heavy Leo
1995 Money Train Riley
1995 Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure Man in Top Hat
1995 Two Bits Uncle Joe
1996 One Fine Day Manny Feldstein
1997 Sunday Scottie Elster
1998 The Naked Man Koski
1999 The Out-of-Towners Arresting Cop
2000 Looking for an Echo Vic
2001Queenie in LoveBerthold
2002 Auto Focus Strip Club M.C.
2002 Changing Lanes Judge Cosell
2003Bought & SoldAlphonso 'Chunks' Colon
2004 13 Going on 30 Mr. Flamhaff
2005 Slow Burn Desk Sgt. Drown
2006 A Crime BIll
2006 Creating Karma Prighorn
2007 Dark Matter Professor Colby
2007 The Last New Yorker Jerry
2009 Under New Management Msgr. Tranni
2012OthelloBrabantio
2014Julie Taymor's A Midsummer Night's DreamPeter Quince
2016 The American Side The Serb
2016 Baked in Brooklyn David's Dad
2016 No Pay, Nudity Mr. Davenport

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974–1975 Police Surgeon Jerry Shields / Sam Sitko2 episodes
1986 The Equalizer Lt. VocekEpisode: "The Line"
1992 Citizen Cohn Gerald WalpinTV movie
1992 Sinatra George EvansTV movie
1993–1994 L.A. Law Dominic Nuzzi5 episodes
1993 Taking the Heat Lou ValentineTV movie
1999 Switching Goals DaveTV movie
2000 The Other Me ConradTV movie
2001 61* Phil RizzutoTV movie
2005–2013 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Defense Attorney Hashi Horowitz 9 episodes
2015–2021Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Judge Hashi Horowitz 5 episodes

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Joe Grifasi Biography (1944–)". Film Reference. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  2. ↑ Joe Grifasi on The Deer Hunter and No Pay, and Nudity
  3. ↑ Brady, Erik (31 Aug 2022). "From the West Side to Hollywood, jock-turned-thespian Joe Grifasi turned character into a career" . Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  4. ↑ Green, Susan; Dawn, Randee (Sep 2009). Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Unofficial Companion. BenBella Books. p. 312. ISBN   9781933771885 . Retrieved 17 March 2025.
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