Frank Vincent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Vincent
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![]() Vincent in 2012
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Born |
Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr.
April 15, 1937 |
Died | September 13, 2017 Nutley, New Jersey, U.S.
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(aged 80)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1976–2017 |
Spouse(s) |
Kathleen Vincent
(m. 1970) |
Children | 3 |
Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr. (born April 15, 1937 – died September 13, 2017) was an American actor. He had a long career that lasted five decades. During this time, Frank Vincent often played characters who were mobsters or tough guys.
He worked many times with the famous filmmaker Martin Scorsese. You might know him from movies like Raging Bull (1980), where he played Salvy, or Goodfellas (1990), where he was Billy Batts. He also appeared as Frank Marino in Casino (1995). On TV, he played Phil Leotardo in the popular show The Sopranos from 2004 to 2007. Frank Vincent also lent his voice to the character Salvatore Leone in the Grand Theft Auto video game series.
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Early life and music
Frank Vincent was born in North Adams, Massachusetts. He grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. His family had roots in Italy, specifically Sicily and Naples. His father, Frank Vincent Gattuso Sr., worked as an iron worker and ran a business. Frank had two brothers, Nick and Jimmy, and a half-sister named Fran.
Frank Vincent was very talented at playing musical instruments. He could play the drums, piano, and trumpet. At first, he wanted to have a career in music. During the day, he worked as a studio musician, playing with many famous artists like Paul Anka. In the evenings, he led his own jazz band called "Frank Vincent and the Aristocats."
From music to acting
In 1969, Frank Vincent hired Joe Pesci to play guitar in his band. As the popularity of live music in lounges changed, Vincent and Pesci decided to try something new. They started a stand-up comedy act together called "Vincent and Pesci." They performed from 1970 to 1976. Their comedy act was a mix of funny routines and playful "insult comedy." They became very good friends and professional partners.
Later, Frank Vincent and Joe Pesci got roles in a small movie called The Death Collector (1976). Robert De Niro, another famous actor, saw their performances and was impressed. He told director Martin Scorsese about them. Scorsese liked what he saw and cast Frank Vincent in his movie Raging Bull (1980). In this film, Frank Vincent acted alongside Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro again.
Frank Vincent often played tough characters, especially mobsters, in movies. In Martin Scorsese's film Goodfellas (1990), he played Billy Batts. He also had a role in Scorsese's movie Casino (1995) as Frank Marino.
He also appeared in two films by director Spike Lee: Do the Right Thing (1989) and Jungle Fever (1991). In Jungle Fever, he played the father of an Italian-American family.
One of his most well-known roles was on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He played Phil Leotardo, a powerful New York City gangster. This character became a main opponent in the show's final season.
Frank Vincent also had some lighter roles. He appeared in a British TV commercial for Peugeot cars. In 2005, he was in a series of commercials for an Irish bank called Permanent TSB.
Voice acting and other projects
In video games, Frank Vincent was the voice of the Mafia boss Salvatore Leone. He played this character in Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004), and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005).
In 2006, he wrote a book called A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man. He also created his own brand of hand-rolled cigars.
He continued acting in independent films, like The Tested (2008). He also made a guest appearance in the TV show Stargate Atlantis in 2009. In 2009, he starred in Chicago Overcoat.
In 2013, he was part of a comic book series called Killogy. He voiced his character, Sally Sno Cones, in the animated series based on the comics in 2014.
Frank Vincent lived in Nutley, New Jersey. He sometimes showed off his drumming skills at local holiday concerts.
Death
In September 2017, Frank Vincent had a heart attack. He had open heart surgery on September 13, but sadly, he passed away shortly after. Frank Vincent was 80 years old.
His funeral service was held on September 16, and his remains were cremated.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1976 | The Death Collector | Bernie Feldshuh | |
1980 | Raging Bull | Salvatore "Salvy" | |
1982 | Dear Mr. Wonderful | Louie | |
1983 | Baby It's You | Vinnie | |
Easy Money | Mobster Dressed In A Trenchcoat | Uncredited | |
1984 | The Pope of Greenwich Village | 1st Crew Chief | |
1985 | Stiffs | Mafia Thug | |
1986 | Wise Guys | Louie Fontucci | |
1987 | Made in Argentina | Vito | |
1988 | Lou, Pat, and Joe D | Pop Corelli | |
1989 | Do the Right Thing | Charlie | |
Last Exit to Brooklyn | Priest | ||
The Afterlife of Grandpa | Vinny Valenti | Short film | |
1990 | Goodfellas | Billy "Batts" | |
Street Hunter | Don Mario Romano | ||
1991 | Mortal Thoughts | Dominic, Joyce's Father | |
Jungle Fever | Mike Tucci | ||
Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace | Joseph F. Zanni Jr. | Television film | |
1994 | Men Lie | Uncle Frank | |
Federal Hill | Sal | ||
Hand Gun | Earl | ||
1995 | Ten Benny | Ray DiGlovanni Sr. | |
1995 | Casino | Frank Marino | |
Animal Room | Arcade Owner | ||
1996 | On Seventh Avenue | Angelo Occipente | Television film |
She's the One | Ron | ||
Gotti | Robert "D.B." DiBernardo | Television film | |
Night Falls on Manhattan | Police Captain | ||
West New York | Tom Colletti | ||
1997 | Grind | Nick | |
Cop Land | PDA President Vince Lassaro | ||
The North End | Dominic "Dom" Di Bella | ||
The Deli | Tommy "Tomatoes" | ||
The Good Life | Unknown | ||
Made Men | Tommy "The Bull" Vitaglia | ||
1998 | Witness to the Mob | Frankie DeCicco | Television film |
Undercurrent | Eddie Torelli | ||
Belly | Roger | ||
Vig | Pete | Television film | |
1999 | NetForce | Johnny Stompato | Television film |
Entropy | Sal | ||
Penance | ... Man | Short film | |
2000 | Isn't She Great | Aristotle Onassis | |
Gun Shy | Carmine Minetti | ||
If You Only Knew | Gino | ||
Ropewalk | Unknown | ||
The Crew | Marty | ||
Under Hellgate Bridge | Sal "Big Sal" | ||
2001 | Smokin' Stogies | Johnny "Big" | |
Snipes | Johnnie Marandino | ||
2002 | Hamlet in the Hamptons | Michael | |
2003 | Rubout | Frank Santello | Television film |
A Tale of Two Pizzas | Frank Bianco | ||
This Thing of Ours | Danny Santini | ||
Remembering Mario | Joey "Big Ears" | ||
2004 | Shark Tale | Great White #3 | Voice |
Coalition | Alvaro | ||
2005 | Remedy | Uncle Charles | |
Van Vorst Park | Carlo | ||
2006 | Last Request | Father Brice | |
2007 | City Teacher | Unknown | |
2009 | Chicago Overcoat: The Glory Days Are Back | Lou Marazano | |
2010 | Stiffs | Jimmy "The Limo King" | |
The Tested | Lieutenant Marino | ||
2011 | Spy | Gaetano | |
2018 | The Killer's Kiss | Michael Gazzo | Posthumous release |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1987 | Leg Work | Detective | Episode: "Peaches" |
1989 | The Paradise Club | Walter MacHeath | Episode: "Unfrocked in Babylon" |
1991–1999 | Law & Order | John Franchetta / J.Z. | 2 episodes |
1992 | Civil Wars | Matty DiNofrio | Episode: "Mob Psychology" |
1993 | The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Johnny Torrio | Episode: "Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues" |
1994 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Paul Mancini | Episode: "The Prodigal Son" |
1996 | Swift Justice | Tony Accardo | Episode: "Stones" |
1996–1997 | New York Undercover | Bates / Ray Tarrafino | 2 episodes |
1997 | Cosby | Dorothy's Husband | Episode: "Florida" |
2000 | NYPD Blue | Dino "The Rat" Ferrera | 2 episodes |
2004–2007 | The Sopranos | Phil Leotardo | 31 episodes |
2008 | Stargate Atlantis | Poker Player #1 | Episode: "Vegas" |
2014–2016 | Mr. Pickles | Jon Gabagooli | 2 episodes Voice |
2016 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Bishop Cattalano | Episode: "Unholiest Alliance" |
2017 | Neo Yokio | Uncle Albert | Episode: "Hamptons Water Magic" Voice |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Notes |
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2001 | Grand Theft Auto III | Salvatore Leone | Voice | |
2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | |||
2005 | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories | |||
2021 | Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition | Archival recordings Remaster of Grand Theft Auto III & San Andreas only. |
Sources:
See also
In Spanish: Frank Vincent para niños