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Frank Vincent
Frank Vincent.png
Vincent in 2012
Born
Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr.

(1937-04-15)April 15, 1937
Died September 13, 2017(2017-09-13) (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.

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
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
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
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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Frank Vincent para niños

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