Joe Spinell
Age: 52 | From: Manhattan, New York
Person Details
Birthday: 1936-10-28 07:34:45
Death: 1989-01-13 07:34:45
Aliases: No known aliases
Gender: Male
Place of birth: Manhattan, New York
Homepage:
Movie Involvements: 54
TV Involvements: 1
Most Famous Work
Biography
Joe Spinell was born Joseph J. Spagnuolo in Manhattan, New York of Italian immigrant parents, and the last of six children. His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo (b. 1892, d. 1950), died from liver and kidney disease. His mother Filomena Spagnuolo (b. 1903, d. 1987) was a bit-part actress who acted in a few movies, some of them alongside her son. Spinell stood 5 foot and 11 inches. He was born at his family's apartment in Manhattan's Little Italy on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. A few years after the death of his father, he moved with his mother and older siblings to Woodside, Queens, New York where he lived off-and-on for the remainder of his life. Spinell suffered most of his life from hemophilia as well as chronic asthma. Because of his large, heavyset frame and imposing looks, Spinell was often cast as criminals, thugs, or corrupt police officers. His most notable roles were as mafioso Willi Cicci in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and as loan shark Tony Gazzo in Rocky and Rocky II. Although primarily known as a character actor, Spinell co-wrote and starred as a serial killer in the 1980 film, Maniac. Joe Spinell died in his apartment on January 13, 1989 at the age of 52. The cause of his untimely death is arguable to this day. Some say that his death was caused by sudden heart attack due to heavy drug use, drinking and emotional distress in light of his mother passing away two years earlier. It is also speculated that he may have died from asthma complications, or bled to death from hemophilia related causes. He was planning a sequel to Maniac before his death. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Queens near his home. He is the distant cousin of the American football team St. Louis Ram's Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. Spinell was married to adult film star Jean Jennings from February 1977 to July 1979. Together they had one daughter, but they eventually divorced.
Most Famous Work
The Godfather
(1972) Willi Cicci (uncredited)
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television
(1977) William "Willie" Cicci
The Godfather Part II
(1974) William 'Willie' Cicci
Rocky
(1976) Tony Gazzo
Rocky II
(1979) Tony Gazzo
Taxi Driver
(1976) Personnel Officer
Sorcerer
(1977) Spider
Paradise Alley
(1978) BurpActing
| Year | Character | Movie/Tv |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Self (archive footage) | |
| 2016 | Count Zarth Arn (archive footage) | |
| 2007 | Self (archive footage) | |
| Self (archive footage) | ||
| 2001 | (archive footage) | |
| 2000 | Himself | |
| 1995 | Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage) | |
| 1989 | Hansen | |
| 1988 | Uncle Roscoe | |
| Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli | ||
| Tony Larosa | ||
| Brig. Gen. George Delevane | ||
| 1987 | Crazy Man in Gun Bureau | |
| Eddie | ||
| 1986 | Joey, New York Goon #1 | |
| Rico | ||
| Mr. Robbie | ||
| Max Caldwell | ||
| Guido Antonucci | ||
| Street Vendor | ||
| 1985 | Jim Halsey | |
| Brusstar | ||
| 1983 | Escobar | |
| Angelo | ||
| Pete | ||
| Mayfield | ||
| 1982 | Joe Spangler | |
| Bride's Father | ||
| Border Patrolman | ||
| Vinny Durand | ||
| Manetti | ||
| Eisenberg | ||
| Masked witness (uncredited) | ||
| Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters") | ||
| 1981 | Door Guard | |
| William "Willie" Cicci | ||
| Lt. Munafo | ||
| 1980 | Frank Zito | |
| Charles Lipsky | ||
| Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited) | ||
| Yancey | ||
| Floyd Birdwell | ||
| Michael Vincent | ||
| Drunken Sailor | ||
| Lt. Spinell | ||
| Patrolman DiSimone | ||
| 1979 | Capt. Desher | |
| Tony Gazzo | ||
| Arthur Fletcher | ||
| Man in Cantina | ||
| 1978 | Count Zartharn | |
| Mike Abatino | ||
| Burp | ||
| Psychologist | ||
| Angelo | ||
| 1977 | William "Willie" Cicci | |
| Spider | ||
| 1976 | Tony Gazzo | |
| Jabo | ||
| Personnel Officer | ||
| Cop | ||
| 1975 | Bill | |
| Ollie Slatt | ||
| Nick | ||
| Sol Terranova | ||
| Mr. Colson | ||
| 1974 | William 'Willie' Cicci | |
| 1973 | Toredano | |
| Marty | ||
| 1972 | Willi Cicci (uncredited) | |
| Year | Character | Movie/Tv |
Writing
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Original Film Writer | |
| 1986 | Story | |
| 1980 | Screenplay | |
| Story | ||
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |
Production
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Producer | |
| 1980 | Executive Producer | |
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |