Tony Sirico | |
|---|---|
 Sirico in 2010 | |
| Born | Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. July 29, 1942 New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Children | 2 |
| Family | Robert Sirico (brother) |
Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. ( /ˈsɪrikoʊ/ ; born July 29, 1942) [1] is an American actor best known for his role as Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri in The Sopranos . He has also made numerous appearances in the films of Woody Allen.
Sirico was born in New York City on July 29, 1942. [1] He grew up in Brooklyn, in the East Flatbush and Bensonhurst neighborhoods. [2] Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, is a Catholic priest and co-founder of the free-market Acton Institute. [3]
Sirico was convicted of several crimes and had been arrested 28 times, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery, before taking up acting. [2] [4] On February 27, 1970, he was arrested at a restaurant, and found with a .32 caliber revolver on his person. In 1971, he was indicted for extortion, coercion and felony weapons possession, convicted, and sentenced to four years in prison, of which he served 20 months at Sing Sing. [5] [6] [7] According to a court transcript at the time of his sentencing, Sirico was the owner of a discotheque in Manhattan, and also had pending charges for criminal possession of a dangerous drug. [5] Sirico has stated that he was visited by an acting troupe composed of ex-convicts during his imprisonment, which inspired him to give acting a try. [8] He appeared in the 1989 documentary The Big Bang by James Toback, in which he discussed his earlier life. [9]
Sirico's first confirmed role in film was as an extra in the 1974 film Crazy Joe , who had secured the role with the help of Richard Castellano. [7] Michael Gazzo was Sirico's first acting coach. [10] Sirico has played gangsters in a number of films, including Goodfellas , Mob Queen , Mighty Aphrodite, Love and Money , Fingers , The One Man Jury , Defiance , The Last Fight, Innocent Blood , Bullets over Broadway , The Pick-up Artist , Gotti , The Search for One-eye Jimmy , Cop Land , Turn of Faith, Hello Again , and Mickey Blue Eyes .
He also played policemen in the films Dead Presidents and Deconstructing Harry . Sirico's most acclaimed acting job was that of Paulie Gualtieri in David Chase's Emmy award winning drama, The Sopranos . He originally auditioned for the role of Uncle Junior with Frank Vincent, but Dominic Chianese landed the role. David Chase instead offered him the role of playing Paulie Gualtieri; Sirico agreed under the condition that his character would not "become a rat". [7]
In late 2013, he voiced the character of Vinny Griffin, who for three episodes was the family's pet dog on Family Guy , replacing Brian Griffin after his death; Brian would later be brought back via time travel. [11] Sirico also made a live-action cameo in the episode "Stewie, Chris, & Brian's Excellent Adventure", where he threatens Stewie, who had insulted Italians, calling them "ridiculous people". Vinny would return in a cameo appearance at the end of the Season 15 premiere, "The Boys in the Band".
In 2018, he reunited with former Sopranos actors, Federico Castelluccio and Vincent Pastore, in Sarah Q. [12]
In 1999, Sirico and Sopranos co-star Vincent Pastore met with James Clemenza and his brother Jerry, Colombo crime family soldiers, at a Christmas party in Little Italy, Manhattan. Clemenza was under FBI surveillance at the time. [13]
In 2008, Sirico released a cologne called Paolo Per Uomo. [14]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Crazy Joe | N/A | N/A | [15] |
| 1978 | Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell | Frankie Rio | N/A | |
| Fingers | Riccamonza | N/A | [2] [16] | |
| The One Man Jury | Charlie Nuts | N/A | ||
| 1980 | Defiance | Davey | N/A | |
| 1981 | So Fine | Associate | N/A | |
| 1982 | Love & Money | Raoul | N/A | [17] |
| 1983 | Exposed | Thief | N/A | [18] |
| The Last Fight | Frankie | N/A | [2] | |
| 1987 | The Galucci Brothers | Galucci Brother | N/A | |
| The Pick-up Artist | Patsy Cabaluso | N/A | [2] | |
| Hello Again | Tough Guy | N/A | ||
| 1989 | White Hot | Luke | N/A | |
| Cookie | Carmine's Wiseguy | N/A | [2] | |
| The Big Bang | Himself | Documentary | [9] | |
| 1990 | Catchfire | Greek Guy | N/A | [19] [18] |
| Goodfellas | Tony Stacks | N/A | [15] | |
| 1991 | 29th Street | Fortunado | N/A | [10] |
| 1992 | Innocent Blood | Jacko | N/A | [20] |
| 1993 | New York Cop | Mr. C | N/A | |
| Romeo Is Bleeding | Malacci | N/A | [21] | |
| 1994 | Men Lie | Porno Witness | N/A | [22] |
| Bullets over Broadway | Rocco | N/A | [15] | |
| The Search for One-eye Jimmy | Snake | N/A | [23] | |
| 1995 | Dead Presidents | Officer Spinelli | N/A | [24] |
| Mighty Aphrodite | Boxing Trainer | N/A | [10] | |
| Casino | Extra (Mickey's crew: signal happy gambler) | N/A | ||
| Dearly Beloved | Mr. Bedutz | Short film | [25] | |
| 1996 | Everyone Says I Love You | Escaped Convict | N/A | [10] |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Police Officer | N/A | [24] |
| Cop Land | Toy Torillo | N/A | [10] | |
| The Deli | Tony | N/A | [10] | |
| The Good Life | Junior | Never released [26] | ||
| 1998 | Mob Queen | Joey (The Heart) Aorta | N/A | [10] |
| Celebrity | Lou DeMarco | N/A | [10] | |
| 1999 | Mickey Blue Eyes | Risolli Guard | N/A | [27] |
| 2000 | It Had to Be You | Ricky Valentino | N/A | [10] |
| 2001 | Smokin' Stogies | Tony Batts | N/A | |
| 2002 | Turn of Faith | Jimmy | N/A | |
| 2008 | The Sno Cone Stand Inc | Bob Beasley | N/A | |
| 2009 | Karma Calling | G | N/A | |
| 2010 | Skate | Skate | Short film | |
| 2013 | Super Athlete | Coach Lou | N/A | |
| Zarra's Law | Tony Zarra | N/A | [24] | |
| Family on Board | Rocco | Short film | ||
| 2014 | Friends and Romans | Bobby Musso | N/A | |
| 2015 | Touched | Anthony | N/A | |
| 2016 | Café Society | Vito | N/A | |
| 2017 | Wonder Wheel | Angelo | N/A | |
| 2018 | Sarah Q | Mr Danny | (post-production) | |
| TBA | Respect the Jux | Bobby | (post-production) | |
| 2019 | Street Justice | Johnny | (pre-production) | |
| Made in Chinatown | Al Capella | (pre-production) | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Kojak | Greek God | Episode: "Case Without a File" | |
| 1982 | Police Squad! | Poker Player | Episode: "Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)" | |
| 1989 | Miami Vice | Frank Romano | Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree" | |
| Perfect Witness | Marco | Television film | ||
| 1992 | In the Shadow of a Killer | Tony Andretti | Television film | |
| 1996 | Cosby | Teddy | Episode: "Happily Ever Hilton" | |
| Gotti | Joe Dimiglia | Television film | [10] | |
| 1998 | Witness to the Mob | Thomas Gambino | Television film | |
| Vig | Locasso | Television film | ||
| 1999–2007 | The Sopranos | Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri | 86 episodes | |
| 2005 | The Fairly OddParents | Big Daddy | 2 episodes | |
| 2007 | Sesame Street | Bert | TV special | [28] |
| 2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Mobster | TV special | |
| 2010 | Chuck | Matty | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Fake Name" | |
| Medium | Big Daddy | Episode: "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day" | ||
| 2012 | Jersey Shore Shark Attack | Captain Salie | Television film | [24] |
| 2013–2014 | Lilyhammer | Tony Tagliano | Episodes: "2.8: Ghosts" and "3.8: Loose Ends" | |
| 2013 | Nicky Deuce | Charlie Cement | Television film | |
| 2013–2016 | Family Guy | Vinny Griffin/Himself | Voice Episodes: "Life of Brian", "Into Harmony's Way", "Christmas Guy", "The Boys in the Band", and "Stewie, Chris & Brian's Excellent Adventure" (Live Action) | |
| 2014 | Taxi Brooklyn | Tony | Episode: "Revenge" | |
| 2016 | The Grinder | Sebastian | Episode: "Grinder v Grinder" | |
| 2017 | American Dad! | Enzo Perotti | Episode: "Garbage Stan" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Sopranos: Road to Respect | Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri | Voice |
The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around Tony Soprano, a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster, portraying the difficulties that he faces as he tries to balance his family life with his role as the leader of a criminal organization. These are explored during his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The series features Tony's family members, mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles—most notably his wife Carmela and his protégé/distant cousin Christopher Moltisanti.
Silvio Manfred Dante, played by Steven Van Zandt, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is the consigliere and second-in-command to Tony Soprano in the DiMeo crime family.
Mickey Blue Eyes is a 1999 romantic comedy crime film directed by Kelly Makin. Hugh Grant stars as Michael Felgate, an English auctioneer living in New York City who becomes entangled in his soon-to-be father-in-law's mafia connections. Several of the minor roles are played by actors later featured in The Sopranos.
"Two Tonys" is the 53rd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the first of the show's fifth season. Written by David Chase and Terence Winter, it was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on March 7, 2004.
"Pine Barrens" is an episode of the HBO series The Sopranos; it is the 11th of the show's third season and the 37th overall. The teleplay was written by Terence Winter from a story idea by Winter and Tim Van Patten. It was the first of four episodes for the series directed by Steve Buscemi and originally aired on May 6, 2001.
"46 Long" is the second episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by David Chase, directed by Dan Attias and was originally broadcast on January 17, 1999, in the United States.
"Mayham" is the 68th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the third of the show's sixth season. Written by Matthew Weiner and directed by Jack Bender, it originally aired on March 26, 2006.
"The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" is the eighth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by David Chase and Frank Renzulli, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on February 28, 1999.
"Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office..." is the 14th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the first of the show's second season. Written by Jason Cahill and directed by Allen Coulter, it originally aired on January 16, 2000.
"Funhouse" is the 26th episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos, and the 13th and final episode of the show's second season. It was co-written by series creator/executive producer David Chase and co-producer Todd A. Kessler, and directed by frequent The Sopranos director John Patterson, and originally aired in the United States on April 9, 2000, attracting about 9 million viewers.
"Big Girls Don't Cry" is the eighteenth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and is the fifth of the show's second season. It was written by Terence Winter, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on February 13, 2000.
"The Happy Wanderer" is the 19th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the sixth of the show's second season. It was written by Frank Renzulli, directed by John Patterson, and originally aired on February 20, 2000.
"D-Girl" is the 20th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the seventh of the show's second season. It was written by Todd A. Kessler and directed by Allen Coulter, and originally aired on February 27, 2000.
The Soprano family is a fictional Neapolitan-American organized crime family featured in the HBO series The Sopranos and the upcoming prequel film The Many Saints of Newark. Based in New Jersey, the family consists of an administration and six crews. They are allies of the Lupertazzi family in New York City but the two become rivals as the series progresses. The family is loosely based on the DeCavalcante crime family, a real New Jersey Mafia family.
"A Hit Is a Hit" is the 10th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. Written by Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli, and directed by Matthew Penn, it originally aired on March 14, 1999.
"Eloise" is the 51st episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the 12th of the show's fourth season. Written by Terence Winter and directed by James Hayman, it originally aired on December 1, 2002.
"Mergers and Acquisitions" is the 47th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the eighth of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Lawrence Konner from a story by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and Terence Winter. It was directed by Dan Attias and originally aired on November 3, 2002.
"Remember When" is the 80th episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos, the third episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, and the 15th episode of the season overall. Written by Terence Winter and directed by Phil Abraham, it originally aired on April 22, 2007, and was watched by 6.85 million viewers on its premiere.
Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri is a fictional character portrayed by Tony Sirico on the HBO series The Sopranos, one of the chief henchmen of series protagonist Tony Soprano. Sirico originally auditioned for the role of Uncle Junior with Frank Vincent, but Dominic Chianese landed the role. David Chase instead offered him the role of playing Paulie Gualtieri; Sirico agreed under the condition that his character would not "become a rat." Paulie begins the series as a soldato, later becoming a caporegime and eventually underboss of the DiMeo crime family. He is violent, impulsive, and paranoid, but he is also fiercely loyal to Tony, making him a valued member of the organization.
Frances Esemplare, professionally credited as Frances Ensemplare, was an American actress best known for her multi-episode recurring role as Marianucci "Nucci" Gualtieri, mother of Paulie Gualtieri on The Sopranos from 2001 until 2007.
