Joe Grifasi
Biography
Joe Grifasi is an American character actor born on June 14, 1944, in Buffalo, New York. He has appeared in over 50 feature films, including Presumed Innocent, The Deer Hunter, and Natural Born Killers. His film credits also include Big Business, Beaches, Auto Focus, Matewan, Naked Gun, Dark Matter, and Batman Forever. Grifasi has also had a significant presence in television, with credits including The Bronx is Burning, 61*, Law & Order, ER, LA Law, Chicago Hope, Hill Street Blues, and SCTV. He has worked extensively in the entertainment industry, with over 109 known credits.
Career overview
Joe Grifasi is an American character actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows. Born in Buffalo, New York, he has had a long and distinguished career in the entertainment industry. Grifasi has appeared in over 50 feature films, including a wide range of genres and styles.
Some of the notable films in which Grifasi has appeared include Presumed Innocent, The Deer Hunter, and Natural Born Killers. He has also appeared in a number of comedies, such as Naked Gun and Benny & Joon. In addition to his film work, Grifasi has had a successful career in television, with appearances in a number of popular shows, including Law & Order, ER, and LA Law.
Grifasi's extensive television credits also include a number of notable roles in historical and sports-themed dramas. He has portrayed notable figures such as Yogi Berra in The Bronx is Burning and Phil Rizzuto in 61*. With over 109 known credits, Grifasi has established himself as a versatile and accomplished character actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
111 titles- Tornado (2024) as Rich
- Endgame (2023) as Nagg
- The Dreams of Rene Sendam (2022) as Dr. Bradley
- Me To Play (2021) as Himself
- I Know This Much Is True (2020) as Steve Falice
- Radium Girls (2020) as Grandpa
- Evil (2019) as Lombino
- New Amsterdam (2018) as Lilo Steinhauser
- Lodge 49 (2018)
- The Good Fight (2017) as Judge John Mata
- Bull (2016) as Judge Arlen Rand
- Bull (2016) as Judge Rand
- Baked in Brooklyn (2016) as David's Dad
- The American Side (2016) as The Serb
- No Pay, Nudity (2016) as Mr. Davenport
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014) as Peter Quince
- Elementary (2012) as Captain Moretti
- The Last New Yorker (2010) as Jerry
- The Front (2010) as Mr. Zeffirelli
- The Good Wife (2009) as Judge John Mata
- Canterbury's Law (2008)
- The Bronx Is Burning (2007) as Yogi Berra
- Conviction (2006) as Judge Harrigan
- A Crime (2006) as Bill
- Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed (2006) as Uncle Sam
- Slow Burn (2005) as Desk Sgt. Drown
- 13 Going on 30 (2004) as Mr. Flamhaff
- A Jersey Tale (2004) as Alphonso "Chunks" Colon
- Hope & Faith (2003) as Leo
- Tarzan (2003) as Lieutenant Scott Connor
- Changing Lanes (2002) as Judge Cosell
- Auto Focus (2002) as Strip Club M.C.
- Some of My Best Friends (2001) as Joe Zito
- 61* (2001) as Phil Rizzuto
- Queenie in Love (2001) as Berthold
- The Beat (2000) as Vince Marinelli
- Deadline (2000) as Mike Phelan
- Looking for an Echo (2000) as Vic
- The Other Me (2000) as Conrad
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Hashi Horowitz
- The Out-of-Towners (1999) as Arresting Cop
- Switching Goals (1999) as Dave
- The Naked Man (1998) as Koski
- The Deal (1998) as Boular
- The Practice (1997) as Harry Papp
- Sunday (1997) as Scottie Elster
- Early Edition (1996) as Harry Hawks
- Remember WENN (1996) as Larry Looper
- One Fine Day (1996) as Manny Feldstein
- Undue Influence (1996) as Clem
- Shadow of a Doubt (1996) as Sidney Sherman
- Batman Forever (1995) as Bank Guard
- Money Train (1995) as Riley
- Heavy (1995) as Leo
- Two Bits (1995) as Uncle Joe
- ER (1994) as Tom Williams
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Larry Ruscetti
- Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) as Director
- Natural Born Killers (1994) as Deputy Sheriff Duncan Homolka
- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) as Lou
- Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (1994)
- Class of '96 (1993) as Joe Morrisey
- Benny & Joon (1993) as Mike
- Moon Over Miami (1993)
- Household Saints (1993) as Frank Manzone
- Taking the Heat (1993) as Lou Valentine
- Sinatra (1992) as George Evans
- Citizen Cohn (1992) as Gerald Walpin
- Primary Motive (1992) as Paul Melton
- City of Hope (1991) as Pauly
- Law & Order (1990) as Ezra Gould
- Law & Order (1990) as Defense Attorney James Linde
- Capital News (1990)
- Presumed Innocent (1990) as Tommy Molto
- WIOU (1990) as Tony Pro
- Chances Are (1989) as Omar
- The Feud (1989) as Bud Bullard
- Perfect Witness (1989) as Breeze
- Kojak: Ariana (1989) as Lieutenant Rastelli
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) as Foreman
- Roseanne (1988) as IRS Office Supervisor
- Big Business (1988) as Desk Clerk
- The Appointments of Dennis Jennings (1988) as Bartender
- Moonstruck (1987) as Shy Waiter
- Ironweed (1987) as Jack
- Matewan (1987) as Fausto
- Matlock (1986) as Hot Dog Vendor
- L.A. Law (1986) as Dominic Nuzzi
- F/X (1986) as Mickey
- One Police Plaza (1986) as Insp. Nicolas Zambrano
- The Equalizer (1985) as Lt. Vocek
- Moonlighting (1985) as Kapatkin
- Brewster's Millions (1985) as J.B. Donaldo
- Bad Medicine (1985) as Gómez
- Splash (1984) as Manny
- The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) as Jimmy the Cheese Man
- The Flamingo Kid (1984) as Mario Minetta
- Will There Really Be a Morning? (1983) as Wyler
- American Playhouse (1982) as Bud Bullard
- Still of the Night (1982) as Joseph Vitucci
- The Elephant Man (1982) as Pinhead Manager
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Ronnie Delacroce
- Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) as Osvaldo
- The Gentleman Bandit (1981) as Det. Esposito
- The 6th Annual Young Comedians (1981) as Self (Audience Member) (uncredited)
- Hide in Plain Sight (1980) as Matty Stanek
- Something Short of Paradise (1979) as Barney Collins
- The Deer Hunter (1978) as Bandleader
- On the Yard (1978) as Morris
- Secret Service (1977) as Cpl. Matson
- Great Performances (1971) as Cpl. Matson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joe Grifasi best known for?
Joe Grifasi is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Tornado (2024), I Know This Much Is True (2020), Evil (2019), New Amsterdam (2018).
When and where was Joe Grifasi born?
Joe Grifasi was born on June 14, 1944 in Buffalo - New York - USA.
How many credits does Joe Grifasi have?
Joe Grifasi has accumulated over 111 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2024.
What is Joe Grifasi's background in cinema and television?
Joe Grifasi is an American character actor born on June 14, 1944, in Buffalo, New York. He has appeared in over 50 feature films, including Presumed Innocent, The Deer Hunter, and Natural Born Killers. His film credits also include Big Business, Beaches, Auto Focus, Matewan, Naked Gun, Dark Matter, and Batman Forever. ...
Joe Grifasi by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- New Amsterdam (2018) as Lilo Steinhauser — aged about 74
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Hashi Horowitz — aged about 55
- The Deer Hunter (1978) as Bandleader — aged about 34
- Evil (2019) as Lombino — aged about 75
- Remember WENN (1996) as Larry Looper — aged about 52
- ER (1994) as Tom Williams — aged about 50
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