Joe Spinell
Biography
Joe Spinell was born Joseph J. Spagnuolo on October 28, 1936, in Manhattan, New York. He was the last of six children born to Italian immigrant parents. His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo, died in 1950 from liver and kidney disease. Spinell's mother, Filomena Spagnuolo, was a bit-part actress who appeared in a few movies. He stood 5 feet and 11 inches tall and suffered from hemophilia throughout his life. Spinell lived off-and-on in Woodside, Queens, New York, after moving from Manhattan's Little Italy. He is known for his acting credits, with 73 known credits.
Career overview
Joe Spinell was an actor born in Manhattan, New York. He was the last of six children born to Italian immigrant parents. His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo, died from liver and kidney disease, and his mother, Filomena Spagnuolo, was a bit-part actress who appeared in a few movies, sometimes alongside her son.
Spinell's acting career spanned a number of film and television appearances. He was known for his tall stature, standing at 5 foot and 11 inches. He suffered from hemophilia throughout his life. The majority of his life was spent in Woodside, Queens, New York, where he lived with his mother and older siblings.
Spinell's acting credits include a significant number of film and television appearances. He is reported to have had 73 acting credits.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Joe Spinell.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959 (2016) as William "Willie" Cicci
- FantastiCozzi (2016) as Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
- Maniac (2012) Original Film Writer
- The History of 'Cruising' (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Exorcising 'Cruising' (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- The Joe Spinell Story (2001) as (archive footage)
- The American Nightmare (2000) as Self
- Thriller Zone (1995) as Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
- The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) as Will Cicci
- Rapid Fire (1989) as Hansen
- Married to the Mob (1988) as Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
- The Undertaker (1988) as Uncle Roscoe
- K.O. Kippers (1988) as Tony Larosa
- Operation Warzone (1988) as Brig. Gen. George Delevane
- The Pick-up Artist (1987) as Eddie
- Deadly Illusion (1987) as Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
- The Whoopee Boys (1986) as Guido Antonucci
- Maniac II: Mr. Robbie (1986) as Mr. Robbie
- Maniac II: Mr. Robbie (1986) Producer
- Maniac II: Mr. Robbie (1986) Story
- The Children of Times Square (1986) as Street Vendor
- Hollywood Harry (1986) as Max Caldwell
- The Messenger (1986) as Rico
- Blood Ties (1986) as Joey, New York Goon #1
- The Equalizer (1985) as Mob Boss
- Walking the Edge (1985) as Brusstar
- Out of the Darkness (1985) as Jim Halsey
- Vigilante (1983) as Eisenberg
- Eureka (1983) as Pete
- Losin' It (1983) as Border Patrolman
- The Big Score (1983) as Mayfield
- The Last Fight (1983) as Angelo
- Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983) as Escobar
- Night Shift (1982) as Manetti
- Forbidden Zone (1982) as Drunken Sailor
- The Last Horror Film (1982) as Vinny Durand
- A Question of Honor (1982) as Masked witness (uncredited)
- One Down, Two to Go (1982) as Joe Spangler
- National Lampoon's Movie Madness (1982) as Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
- Monsignor (1982) as Bride's Father
- Nighthawks (1981) as Lt. Munafo
- Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter (1981) as Door Guard
- Cruising (1980) as Patrolman DiSimone
- Brubaker (1980) as Birdwell
- The Ninth Configuration (1980) as Lt. Spinell
- Maniac (1980) as Frank Zito
- Maniac (1980) Screenplay
- Maniac (1980) Executive Producer
- Maniac (1980) Story
- The First Deadly Sin (1980) as Charles Lipsky
- Melvin and Howard (1980) as Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
- The Little Dragons (1980) as Yancey
- Nightside (1980) as Michael Vincent
- Rocky II (1979) as Tony Gazzo
- Winter Kills (1979) as Arthur Fletcher
- Last Embrace (1979) as Man in Cantina
- Vampire (1979) as Capt. Desher
- Paradise Alley (1978) as Burp
- Big Wednesday (1978) as Psychologist
- Starcrash (1978) as Count Zartharn
- The One Man Jury (1978) as Mike Abatino
- Nunzio (1978) as Angelo
- Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television (1977) as William "Willie" Cicci
- Sorcerer (1977) as Spider
- Rocky (1976) as Tony Gazzo
- Taxi Driver (1976) as Personnel Officer
- Stay Hungry (1976) as Jabo
- Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976) as Cop
- Farewell, My Lovely (1975) as Nick
- Rancho Deluxe (1975) as Mr. Colson
- Strike Force (1975) as Sol Terranova
- 92 in the Shade (1975) as Ollie Slatt
- The Ransom of Red Chief (1975) as Bill
- The Godfather Part II (1974) as William 'Willie' Cicci
- The Seven-Ups (1973) as Toredano
- Cops and Robbers (1973) as Marty
- The Godfather (1972) as Willi Cicci (uncredited)