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Joseph R. Gannascoli
6.7.11JoesphGannascoliByLuigiNovi.jpg
Gannascoli in 2011
Born (1959-02-15) February 15, 1959 (age 66)
Occupation Actor, chef
Years active 1991–present
Spouse(s)
Diana Gannascoli
(m. 2005)
Children 1

Joseph R. Gannascoli is an American actor and chef. He was born on February 15, 1959. He is well-known for playing the character Vito Spatafore. This role was in the popular TV show The Sopranos on HBO.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Gannascoli grew up in Brooklyn, New York. In the 1980s, he went to St. John's University for two years. He studied communications there. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a chef. He cooked in different restaurants. These included places in New York City and New Orleans.

Acting Career Highlights

Gannascoli got his first big chance in acting from Benicio del Toro. They met while working on the movie Money for Nothing. After that, Gannascoli appeared in the film Ed Wood. Benicio del Toro then cast him in his own short film, Submission.

He also acted in other movies like Mickey Blue Eyes. He appeared on TV shows such as Law & Order. Later, he joined The Sopranos. In the first season, he played a small role as "Gino." This was in the episode "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti".

Becoming Vito Spatafore

Gannascoli later got a bigger role on The Sopranos. He played Vito Spatafore. Vito was the nephew of another character, Richie Aprile. He became a regular actor on the show starting in Season 6.

Joseph Gannascoli has also appeared in other films. These include Men in Black III. He starred in the 2015 movie An Act of War. He also appeared with Vincent Pastore on the TV show Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back in 2020. More recently, he was in the pilot episode of Bring on the Dancing Horses.

Writing and Cooking

In January 2006, Joseph Gannascoli published a book. It was a crime novel called A Meal to Die For: A Culinary Novel of Crime.

Before he became famous as an actor, Gannascoli worked in the food business for many years. He worked in restaurants in New York City and New Orleans. He even started his own restaurant in Brooklyn.

Since about 2017, Gannascoli has offered catering services. He cooks for small parties himself. Sometimes, these parties have a Sopranos theme.

Film and Television Roles

Joseph Gannascoli has acted in many films and TV shows. Here are some of them:

Film Roles

Year Title Role
1993 Money for Nothing Charlie DiSalvio
1994 Ed Wood Security Guard
1999 Mickey Blue Eyes Jimmy, Gina's Doorman
2012 Men in Black 3 New York Mets Fan #2
2015 An Act of War Frank

Television Roles

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Sopranos Bakery Customer Episode: "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti"
2000–06 The Sopranos Vito Spatafore Main Cast: Seasons 2-6
2004 Law & Order Artie Baldo Episode: "Everybody Loves Raimondo's"
2011 White Collar Salvatore Episode: "On the Fence"
2022–23 Bring on the Dancing Horses Sal Main Cast

Video Game Role

Year Title Role
2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect Vito Spatafore (voice)

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