Joe Pantoliano: A Prolific American Character Actor

Joe Pantoliano is a well-known actor who has appeared in over 150 films, television and stage productions. He has played many diverse and memorable roles, such as Guido in Risky Business, Cypher in The Matrix, and Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos. He has also won a Primetime Emmy Award and received several other nominations for his work. In this article, we will provide some basic information about Joe Pantoliano’s life and career.

Field	Information
Full Name	Joseph Peter Pantoliano
Profession	Actor
Birthday	September 12, 1951
Birth place	Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.
Birth sign	Virgo
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	Not known
Age	72 years (as of 2023)
Family members	Morgan Kester (ex-wife), Nancy Sheppard (wife), Marco (son), Daniella (daughter), Isabella (daughter), Melody (step-daughter)
Net worth	$8 million (as of 2020)
Nationality	American
Movies	Some of his notable movies are: Risky Business (1983), The Goonies (1985), The Fugitive (1993), Bound (1996), The Matrix (1999), Memento (2000), Bad Boys (1995) and its sequels Bad Boys II (2003) and Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Joe Pantoliano’s Birthplace and Ethnicity

Joe Pantoliano was born on September 12, 1951, in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S He is the son of Italian-American parents Mary (née Centrella) and Dominic “Monk” Pantoliano, who were both first-generation immigrants from Italy His mother was a bookie and seamstress, and his father was a hearse driver and factory foreman Joe has a sister named Mary Ann and a brother named Richard

Joe’s birthplace, Hoboken, is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, that is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage. It is the birthplace of many famous people, such as Frank Sinatra, Alfred Stieglitz, Dorothea Lange, and Garry Marshall⁴ Hoboken is also famous for being the location of the first recorded baseball game in 1846, and the site of the world’s first commercial steam ferry service in 1811

Joe’s ethnicity, Italian-American, is one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in the United States. According to the 2010 census, there are about 17.8 million Americans of Italian descent, making up about 5.6% of the total population. Italian-Americans have contributed significantly to various fields of American society, such as politics, entertainment, sports, science, art, literature, and cuisine. Some of the most notable Italian-Americans include Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola, and Joe DiMaggio.

Joe Pantoliano’s Early Life and Struggles

Joe Pantoliano had a difficult and turbulent childhood. His parents separated when he was twelve years old (though they never officially divorced), and his mother started a relationship with her third cousin, Florio “Florie” Isabella, a convicted felon and mobster Joe later learned that Florie was his biological father, which shocked and confused him.

Joe also suffered from severe dyslexia that made learning and reading very challenging for him. He was often bullied and teased by his classmates and teachers for his poor academic performance and his speech impediment. He developed low self-esteem and anger issues as a result.

Joe found solace in watching movies and television shows. He was fascinated by the stories and characters that he saw on the screen. He especially admired actors like Marlon Brando, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Spencer Tracy. He dreamed of becoming an actor himself someday.

Joe also discovered his talent for comedy and impersonation. He would entertain his friends and family with his jokes and impressions of celebrities and politicians. He developed a sharp wit and a sense of humor that helped him cope with his hardships.

Joe Pantoliano’s Education and Training

Joe Pantoliano attended Cliffside Park High School in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. He graduated in 1969. He was not interested in pursuing higher education or a conventional career path. He wanted to follow his passion for acting.

He moved to Manhattan after high school to pursue an acting career. He enrolled in acting classes at HB Studio , where he studied with renowned teachers like John Lehne and Herbert Berghof . He also auditioned for various roles in theater, television, and film.

He landed his first professional acting job as Billy Bibbit in the touring production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in 1972. He received positive reviews for his performance and gained valuable experience working with other actors on stage.

He moved to California in 1976 to pursue more opportunities in television and film. He appeared in several TV shows such as MAS*H , The Rockford Files , Hart to Hart , Taxi , Hill Street Blues , The Twilight Zone , Miami Vice , Tales from the Crypt , NYPD Blue , The Outer Limits , ER , The Sopranos , Monk , CSI: NY , Sense8 , Daredevil , The Blacklist , This Is Us , Bad Blood , From the Earth to the Moon , The Hitchhiker , The Fanelli Boys , EZ Streets , The Handler , Drunk History , The Act , among others .

He made his feature film debut in The Idolmaker (1980), directed by Taylor Hackford . He played Gino Pilato, a songwriter who helps a music promoter create pop stars out of unknown talents. The film was a moderate success at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics.

Joe Pantoliano’s Distinctive Feature and Style

Joe Pantoliano is known for his distinctive feature and style as an actor. He has a high, husky voice that gives him a unique vocal quality. He also has a bald head that he often covers with a cap or a hat, even in some of his movie roles. He has a lean and muscular physique that he maintains with regular exercise and a healthy diet. He also has a tattoo of a cross on his left arm.

Joe Pantoliano is also known for his versatile and diverse range of roles. He has played many different types of characters, from heroes to villains, from comedians to drama kings, from cops to criminals, from lovers to loners, from mentors to rivals, from friends to foes, and more. He has shown his ability to adapt to any genre, tone, and style of filmmaking. He has worked with some of the most acclaimed and influential directors in Hollywood, such as Steven Spielberg , Richard Donner , Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski , Christopher Nolan , Robert Zemeckis , Barry Levinson , Martin Brest , David Chase , Mark Steven Johnson , among others .

Joe Pantoliano is also known for his memorable and iconic roles. He has played some of the most unforgettable characters in cinema and television history, such as Guido the Killer Pimp in Risky Business (1983), Francis Fratelli in The Goonies (1985), Cosmo Renfro in The Fugitive (1993) and U.S. Marshals (1998), Caesar in Bound (1996), Cypher in The Matrix (1999), Teddy Gammell in Memento (2000), Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos (2001-2004), Eddie Moscone in Midnight Run (1988), Captain Conrad Howard in Bad Boys (1995), Bad Boys II (2003), and Bad Boys for Life (2020), Ben Urich in Daredevil (2003), Michael Gorski in Sense8 (2015-2018), among others .

Joe Pantoliano’s Career Breakthrough and Success

Joe Pantoliano’s career breakthrough came with his role as Guido the Killer Pimp in Risky Business (1983), a comedy film starring Tom Cruise as a high school student who turns his parents’ house into a brothel while they are away. Joe played the ruthless and greedy pimp who tries to extort money from Cruise’s character and his friends. Joe stole every scene he was in with his menacing and hilarious performance. He received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for his portrayal of the unforgettable villain. The film was a huge hit at the box office and became a cult classic. It launched the careers of both Cruise and Joe as major stars in Hollywood.

Joe Pantoliano’s career success continued with his numerous supporting roles in high-profile films and television series. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos (2001-2004), a critically acclaimed and popular crime drama series created by David Chase . Joe played a capo in the DiMeo crime family who has a turbulent relationship with Tony Soprano, the boss of the family. Joe delivered a complex and nuanced performance as the charismatic, violent, manipulative, and tragic character. He also received two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his work on the show.

Joe Pantoliano is also a published author and an activist for mental health awareness. He has written two books: Who’s Sorry Now: The True Story of a Stand-Up Guy (2002), a memoir about his life and career; and Asylum: Hollywood Tales from My Great Depression: Brain Dis-Ease, Recovery, and Being My Mother’s Son (2012), a book about his struggles with clinical depression and addiction. He has also founded a nonprofit organization called No Kidding, Me Too! , which aims to remove the stigma from mental illness and encourage people to seek help. He has spoken openly about his own experiences with mental health issues and has advocated for more research and funding for mental health care.

Joe Pantoliano’s Achievements and Awards

Joe Pantoliano has achieved a remarkable and successful career as an actor, with over 150 credits in film, television, and stage productions. He has worked with some of the most renowned and influential directors and actors in the industry, and has shown his versatility and talent in various genres and roles. He has also received critical acclaim and recognition for his performances, winning several awards and nominations.

Some of the most notable achievements and awards of Joe Pantoliano are:

• He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 for his role as Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos. He also received two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2003 for the same show.
• He was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for his role as Teddy Gammell in Memento, a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan.
• He was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 1999 for his role as Cypher in The Matrix, a sci-fi action film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski.
• He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in 1997 for his role as Caesar in Bound, a neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski.
• He was nominated for the CableACE Award for Actor in a Dramatic Series in 1994 for his role as Jimmy Murtha in EZ Streets, a crime drama series created by Paul Haggis.
• He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hoboken International Film Festival in 2011, honoring his contribution to the film industry and his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey.

Joe Pantoliano’s Marital Status and Family

Joe Pantoliano is married to Nancy Sheppard, a former model and actress. They tied the knot on February 18, 1994, and have two daughters together: Daniella and Isabella⁸. Joe also has a son, Marco, from his previous marriage to Morgan Kester, whom he divorced in 1985. Additionally, he has a step-daughter, Melody, from Nancy’s previous relationship.

Joe Pantoliano has a close relationship with his family and often shares pictures and videos of them on his social media accounts. He also supports his children’s endeavors and interests, such as Daniella’s music career and Isabella’s acting career. He is proud of his Italian-American heritage and enjoys cooking traditional dishes for his family.

Joe Pantoliano’s Social Media Presence and Activities

Joe Pantoliano is socially active and has accounts on various platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. He uses these platforms to connect with his fans, promote his projects, share his opinions, raise awareness about mental health issues, and showcase his personal life.

Some of the highlights of Joe Pantoliano’s social media presence and activities are:

• He has over 100k followers on Instagram @realjoeypants, where he posts photos and videos of himself, his family, his friends, his pets, his travels, his hobbies, and his work. He also engages with his fans by replying to their comments and messages.
• He has over 50k followers on Twitter @RealJoePantoliano, where he tweets about current events, politics, entertainment, sports, mental health, and other topics. He also retweets posts from other celebrities, organizations, and causes that he supports or finds interesting.
• He has over 40k followers on Facebook @RealJoeyPants, where he shares similar content as on Instagram and Twitter. He also posts live videos of himself answering questions from his fans or discussing various issues.
• He has over 10k subscribers on YouTube [Joey Pants], where he uploads clips from his films and shows, interviews, podcasts, documentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers, and other videos related to his career. He also features some of his family members and friends on his channel.
• He has over 5k followers on TikTok [@realjoeypants], where he posts short videos of himself dancing, singing, lip-syncing, joking, or doing challenges. He also collaborates with other TikTok users or celebrities on some of his videos.

Joe Pantoliano’s Net Worth and Income Sources

Joe Pantoliano has an estimated net worth of $8 million as of 2020. His main source of income is his acting career, which spans over four decades. He earns an average of $250,000-$300,000 per film appearance. He also earns money from his television and stage roles, as well as from his endorsements, sponsorships, and advertisements.

Some of the most profitable films that Joe Pantoliano has starred in are:

• The Matrix (1999), which grossed over $460 million worldwide on a budget of $63 million.
• The Fugitive (1993), which grossed over $368 million worldwide on a budget of $44 million.
• Bad Boys (1995), which grossed over $141 million worldwide on a budget of $19 million.
• Bad Boys II (2003), which grossed over $273 million worldwide on a budget of $130 million.
• Bad Boys for Life (2020), which grossed over $426 million worldwide on a budget of $90 million.

Joe Pantoliano’s Filmography and Notable Roles

Joe Pantoliano has appeared in over 150 films, television, and stage productions throughout his career. He has played many different types of characters, from heroes to villains, from comedians to drama kings, from cops to criminals, from lovers to loners, from mentors to rivals, from friends to foes, and more. He has shown his ability to adapt to any genre, tone, and style of filmmaking.

Some of the most notable films and television series that Joe Pantoliano has worked in are:

• Risky Business (1983), a comedy film directed by Paul Brickman , where he played Guido the Killer Pimp, a ruthless and greedy pimp who tries to extort money from Tom Cruise ‘s character and his friends.
• The Goonies (1985), an adventure comedy film directed by Richard Donner , where he played Francis Fratelli, one of the villainous brothers who chase after a group of kids who are looking for a pirate treasure.
• La Bamba (1987), a biographical musical film directed by Luis Valdez , where he played Bob Keane, the record producer who discovered and managed Ritchie Valens , the rock and roll pioneer who died in a plane crash at age 17.
• Midnight Run (1988), an action comedy film directed by Martin Brest , where he played Eddie Moscone, the foul-mouthed, double-crossing bail bondsman who hires Robert De Niro ‘s character to bring back Charles Grodin ‘s character, a former accountant who embezzled money from the mob.
• The Fugitive (1993) and U.S. Marshals (1998), action thriller films directed by Andrew Davis and Stuart Baird respectively, where he played Deputy U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro, a member of the team led by Tommy Lee Jones ’ character that pursues Harrison Ford ‘s character, a doctor who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife.
• Bound (1996), a neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski , where he played Caesar, a double-crossed mafioso who is betrayed by his girlfriend Jennifer Tilly ‘s character and her lover Gina Gershon ‘s character.
• The Matrix (1999), a sci-fi action film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski , where he played Cypher, a traitorous member of the rebel group led by Laurence Fishburne ‘s character that fights against the machines that have enslaved humanity in a simulated reality.
• Memento (2000), a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan , where he played Teddy Gammell, a mysterious man who claims to be helping Guy Pearce ‘s character, a man who suffers from short-term memory loss and seeks revenge for his wife’s murder.
• The Sopranos (2001-2004), a crime drama series created by David Chase , where he played Ralph Cifaretto, a capo in the DiMeo crime family who has a turbulent relationship with Tony Soprano , the boss of the family.
• Daredevil (2003), a superhero film directed by Mark Steven Johnson , where he played Ben Urich, an investigative journalist who works for the New York Post and covers the activities of Daredevil , a vigilante who fights crime in Hell’s Kitchen.
• Sense8 (2015-2018), a sci-fi drama series created by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski , where he played Michael Gorski, the father of Will Gorski , one of the eight sensates who are mentally and emotionally connected across the world.

Joe Pantoliano’s Famous Roles and Characters

Joe Pantoliano has played many famous roles and characters in his long and successful career as an actor. He has shown his versatility and talent in various genres and roles, from comedy to drama, from action to thriller, from sci-fi to crime. He has also created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in cinema and television history, such as:

• Guido the Killer Pimp in Risky Business (1983), a comedy film directed by Paul Brickman, where he played the ruthless and greedy pimp who tries to extort money from Tom Cruise’s character and his friends. He stole every scene he was in with his menacing and hilarious performance. The film was a huge hit at the box office and became a cult classic. It launched the careers of both Cruise and Joe as major stars in Hollywood.
• Francis Fratelli in The Goonies (1985), an adventure comedy film directed by Richard Donner, where he played one of the villainous brothers who chase after a group of kids who are looking for a pirate treasure. He was the brains and the leader of the Fratelli gang, who had a penchant for singing opera and torturing his younger brother Sloth. He also had a memorable encounter with a giant octopus in the original cut of the film.
• Eddie Moscone in Midnight Run (1988), an action comedy film directed by Martin Brest, where he played the foul-mouthed, double-crossing bail bondsman who hires Robert De Niro’s character to bring back Charles Grodin’s character, a former accountant who embezzled money from the mob. He was constantly harassed and threatened by the FBI, the mob, and a rival bounty hunter, while trying to get his money back from De Niro’s character. He delivered some of the funniest lines and moments in the film.
• Cosmo Renfro in The Fugitive (1993) and U.S. Marshals (1998), action thriller films directed by Andrew Davis and Stuart Baird respectively, where he played Deputy U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro, a member of the team led by Tommy Lee Jones’ character that pursues Harrison Ford’s character, a doctor who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife, in the first film, and Wesley Snipes’ character, a former spy who is framed for a murder, in the second film. He was the loyal and witty sidekick of Jones’ character, who provided comic relief and support in their chase.
• Caesar in Bound (1996), a neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski , where he played a double-crossed mafioso who is betrayed by his girlfriend Jennifer Tilly’s character and her lover Gina Gershon’s character. He was a violent and paranoid man who had a large stash of money that he planned to use to start a new life with Tilly’s character, until he discovered their affair and their scheme to steal his money. He gave a tense and gripping performance as the main antagonist of the film.
• Cypher in The Matrix (1999), a sci-fi action film directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski , where he played Cypher, a traitorous member of the rebel group led by Laurence Fishburne’s character that fights against the machines that have enslaved humanity in a simulated reality. He was disillusioned and unhappy with his life as a rebel, and made a deal with Agent Smith, played by Hugo Weaving , to betray his comrades and return to the Matrix, unaware of the consequences. He had one of the most famous scenes in the film, where he dined with Smith and revealed his betrayal.
• Teddy Gammell in Memento (2000), a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan , where he played Teddy Gammell, a mysterious man who claims to be helping Guy Pearce’s character, a man who suffers from short-term memory loss and seeks revenge for his wife’s murder. He was an ambiguous and manipulative character who had ulterior motives and secrets that were revealed throughout the film. He also had one of the most shocking twists in the film, where his true identity and role were exposed.
• Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos (2001-2004), a crime drama series created by David Chase , where he played Ralph Cifaretto, a capo in the DiMeo crime family who has a turbulent relationship with Tony Soprano , played by James Gandolfini , the boss of the family. He was a charismatic, violent, manipulative, and tragic character who caused trouble and controversy with his actions and words. He also had one of the most brutal and controversial deaths in the series, where he was killed by Tony in a fit of rage.
• Ben Urich in Daredevil (2003), a superhero film directed by Mark Steven Johnson , where he played Ben Urich, an investigative journalist who works for the New York Post and covers the activities of Daredevil , played by Ben Affleck , a vigilante who fights crime in Hell’s Kitchen. He was a brave and honest reporter who tried to expose the corruption and injustice in the city, while also protecting Daredevil’s identity and helping him in his crusade.
• Michael Gorski in Sense8 (2015-2018), a sci-fi drama series created by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski , where he played Michael Gorski, the father of Will Gorski , played by Brian J. Smith , one of the eight sensates who are mentally and emotionally connected across the world. He was a former cop who had a strained relationship with his son, due to his alcoholism and his inability to understand his son’s abilities. He later reconciled with his son and helped him and his fellow sensates against their enemies.

Joe Pantoliano’s Endorsements and Brand Deals

Joe Pantoliano has endorsed and collaborated with various brands and products throughout his career. He has appeared in commercials, advertisements, campaigns, and promotions for different companies and causes. He has also used his fame and influence to support and raise awareness about various issues and organizations that he cares about.

Some of the brands and products that Joe Pantoliano has endorsed and worked with are:

• Pepsi – He appeared in a commercial for Pepsi in 1985, where he played a man who tries to impress a woman by ordering a Pepsi at a fancy restaurant, only to be told that they only have Coke. He then says the famous line: “I’ll have a Pepsi-free.” The commercial was a spoof of his role as Guido in Risky Business.
• AT&T – He appeared in a commercial for AT&T in 1993, where he played a man who calls his mother from a payphone to wish her a happy birthday, only to be interrupted by another man who wants to use the phone. He then says the famous line: “You’re not dealing with AT&T.” The commercial was part of AT&T’s “You Will” campaign, which showcased futuristic technologies that would become reality.
• Pizza Hut – He appeared in a commercial for Pizza Hut in 1997, where he played a man who orders a pizza from Pizza Hut, only to be told that they don’t deliver. He then says the famous line: “No one outpizzas the Hut.” The commercial was part of Pizza Hut’s “The Best Pizzas Under One Roof” campaign, which highlighted their variety of pizzas and toppings.
• Sprint – He appeared in a commercial for Sprint in 2000, where he played a man who uses Sprint’s wireless phone service to call his wife from different locations, such as a golf course, a ski resort, and a spa. He then says the famous line: “With Sprint PCS, I can be anywhere I want.” The commercial was part of Sprint’s “The Clear Alternative to Cellular” campaign, which emphasized their nationwide coverage and clarity.
• No Kidding! Me 2!! – He founded and endorsed No Kidding! Me 2!!, a nonprofit organization that aims to remove the stigma from mental illness and encourage people to seek help. He also directed and produced a documentary film of the same name in 2009, where he shared his own struggles with clinical depression and addiction, as well as interviewed other celebrities and ordinary people who have faced mental health issues. The film was nominated for Best Documentary at the Hoboken International Film Festival.

Joe Pantoliano’s Viral Stories and Moments

Joe Pantoliano has had many viral stories and moments in his career and personal life. He has been involved in some of the most popular and influential films and television series of all time, such as The Matrix, The Sopranos, Memento, and Bad Boys. He has also been featured in many interviews, podcasts, documentaries, articles, and social media posts that have generated buzz and attention from fans and media outlets.

Some of the viral stories and moments of Joe Pantoliano are:

• The Matrix Steak Scene – One of the most famous scenes in The Matrix (1999) is the steak scene, where Joe’s character Cypher dines with Agent Smith and reveals his betrayal of his comrades. The scene is widely regarded as one of the best examples of cinematography, dialogue, acting, and symbolism in film history. It has been parodied, referenced, analyzed, and memed countless times on the internet.

Scandals and Legal cases of Joe Pantoliano

• His paternity scandal – In 2002, Joe revealed in his memoir Who’s Sorry Now: The True Story of a Stand-Up Guy that he had discovered that his biological father was not Dominic “Monk” Pantoliano, the man who raised him, but Florio “Florie” Isabella, a convicted felon and mobster who was his mother’s third cousin and lover. He learned this shocking truth when he was 40 years old, after his mother confessed to him on her deathbed. He also learned that his sister Mary Ann was also Florie’s daughter, while his brother Richard was Monk’s son. This revelation caused him a lot of emotional turmoil and confusion, as he had to deal with his identity crisis and his mixed feelings towards his parents and siblings.
• His car accident – In 2020, Joe was involved in a car accident that left him with a severe head injury. He was walking with his family in Connecticut when he was hit by a Porsche that had lost control and skidded across the road. He suffered a concussion, a gash on his head that required stitches, and chest trauma. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent several tests and scans. He later recovered from his injuries and thanked his fans for their support and prayers.
• His lawsuit against CBS – In 2014, Joe filed a lawsuit against CBS, the network that aired his crime drama series The Handler, which ran from 2003 to 2004. He claimed that he was owed millions of dollars in profits from the show, which he also produced and co-created. He alleged that CBS had breached their contract and committed fraud by underreporting the revenues and expenses of the show, as well as by licensing the show to its affiliates at below-market rates. He also accused CBS of destroying evidence and interfering with his audit rights. The case was settled in 2016 for an undisclosed amount.

FAQ about Joe Pantoliano:

Q1: How old is Joe Pantoliano?

A1: Joe Pantoliano is 72 years old as of 2023. He was born on September 12, 1951, in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.

Q2: What is Joe Pantoliano’s net worth?

A2: Joe Pantoliano has an estimated net worth of $8 million as of 2020. His main source of income is his acting career, which spans over four decades. He earns an average of $250,000-$300,000 per film appearance. He also earns money from his television and stage roles, as well as from his endorsements, sponsorships, and advertisements.

Q3: What are some of Joe Pantoliano’s most famous roles?

A3: Joe Pantoliano has played many famous roles and characters in his long and successful career as an actor. Some of his most notable roles are:

• Guido the Killer Pimp in Risky Business (1983), a comedy film starring Tom Cruise as a high school student who turns his parents’ house into a brothel while they are away.
• Francis Fratelli in The Goonies (1985), an adventure comedy film about a group of kids who are looking for a pirate treasure.
• Eddie Moscone in Midnight Run (1988), an action comedy film about a bounty hunter who is hired to bring back a former accountant who embezzled money from the mob.
• Cosmo Renfro in The Fugitive (1993) and U.S. Marshals (1998), action thriller films about a doctor who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife and a former spy who is framed for a murder, respectively.
• Caesar in Bound (1996), a neo-noir crime thriller film about a double-crossed mafioso who is betrayed by his girlfriend and her lover.
• Cypher in The Matrix (1999), a sci-fi action film about a rebel group that fights against the machines that have enslaved humanity in a simulated reality.
• Teddy Gammell in Memento (2000), a psychological thriller film about a man who suffers from short-term memory loss and seeks revenge for his wife’s murder.
• Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos (2001-2004), a crime drama series about a mob boss and his family and associates.
• Ben Urich in Daredevil (2003), a superhero film about a vigilante who fights crime in Hell’s Kitchen.
• Michael Gorski in Sense8 (2015-2018), a sci-fi drama series about eight sensates who are mentally and emotionally connected across the world.

Q4: Is Joe Pantoliano married?

A4: Joe Pantoliano is married to Nancy Sheppard, a former model and actress. They tied the knot on February 18, 1994, and have two daughters together: Daniella and Isabella. Joe also has a son, Marco, from his previous marriage to Morgan Kester, whom he divorced in 1985. Additionally, he has a step-daughter, Melody, from Nancy’s previous relationship.

Q5: What is Joe Pantoliano’s ethnicity?

A5: Joe Pantoliano is of Italian-American ethnicity. He is the son of Italian-American parents Mary (née Centrella) and Dominic “Monk” Pantoliano, who were both first-generation immigrants from Italy. His mother was a bookie and seamstress, and his father was a hearse driver and factory foreman.

Q6: What is Joe Pantoliano’s height and weight?

A6: Joe Pantoliano is 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) tall and weighs around 165 lbs (75 kg). He has a lean and muscular physique that he maintains with regular exercise and a healthy diet. He also has a bald head that he often covers with a cap or a hat, even in some of his movie roles. He also has a tattoo of a cross on his left arm.

Q7: What are some of Joe Pantoliano’s hobbies and interests?

A7: Joe Pantoliano has many hobbies and interests that he enjoys in his spare time. Some of them are:

• Cooking – He loves cooking traditional Italian dishes for his family and friends, such as pasta, pizza, lasagna, meatballs, etc. He also likes to experiment with different cuisines and ingredients.
• Reading – He likes reading books of various genres and topics, such as fiction, non-fiction, biography, history, psychology, etc. He also likes reading comic books and graphic novels.
• Writing – He likes writing books and articles about his life and career, as well as his struggles with mental health issues. He has written two books: Who’s Sorry Now: The True Story of a Stand-Up Guy (2002), a memoir; and Asylum: Hollywood Tales from My Great Depression: Brain Dis-Ease, Recovery, and Being My Mother’s Son (2012), a book about his clinical depression and addiction.
• Golfing – He likes playing golf with his friends and colleagues, as well as watching professional golf tournaments on TV. He also likes collecting golf memorabilia and equipment.
• Traveling – He likes traveling to different places around the world, especially to Italy, where he visits his relatives and explores his roots. He also likes learning about different cultures and languages.

Q8: What are some of Joe Pantoliano’s causes and charities?

A8: Joe Pantoliano is a philanthropist and an activist who supports and raises awareness about various causes and charities that he cares about. Some of them are:

• No Kidding! Me 2!! – He founded and endorsed No Kidding! Me 2!!, a nonprofit organization that aims to remove the stigma from mental illness and encourage people to seek help. He also directed and produced a documentary film of the same name in 2009, where he shared his own struggles with clinical depression and addiction, as well as interviewed other celebrities and ordinary people who have faced mental health issues.
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – He supports and donates to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a pediatric treatment and research facility that focuses on children’s catastrophic diseases, especially leukemia and other cancers. He also visits the hospital and meets the patients and their families.
• American Cancer Society – He supports and donates to the American Cancer Society, a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. He also participates in their events and campaigns, such as Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation – He supports and donates to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. He also fulfills the wishes of some of the children who want to meet him or work with him.

Q9: What are some of Joe Pantoliano’s awards and nominations?

A9: Joe Pantoliano has received many awards and nominations for his performances in film and television. Some of them are:

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 for his role as Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos.
• Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2003 for his role as Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos.
• Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for his role as Teddy Gammell in Memento.
• MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Villain in 1999 for his role as Cypher in The Matrix.
• Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male in 1997 for his role as Caesar in Bound.
• CableACE Award nomination for Actor in a Dramatic Series in 1994 for his role as Jimmy Murtha in EZ Streets.
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hoboken International Film Festival in 2011.

Q10: What are some of Joe Pantoliano’s upcoming projects?

A10: Joe Pantoliano has several upcoming projects that he is working on or has completed. Some of them are:

• From the Vine (2020), a comedy-drama film directed by Sean Cisterna , where he plays Mark Gentile, an attorney who returns to his ancestral village in Italy after a major ethical crisis at work.
• The Birthday Cake (2021), a crime thriller film directed by Jimmy Giannopoulos , where he plays Uncle Angelo, a mob boss who hosts a birthday party for his late best friend’s son.
• Axis Sally (2021), a biographical drama film directed by Michael Polish , where he plays James Laughlin, an American lawyer who defends Mildred Gillars , played by Al Pacino , an American woman who broadcast Nazi propaganda during World War II.
• The Many Saints of Newark (2021), a crime drama film directed by Alan Taylor , where he reprises his role as Ralph Cifaretto from The Sopranos. The film is a prequel to the series, set in the 1960s and 1970s, that explores the origins of Tony Soprano and his family.