Joe Spinell actor
- All known tv series 2
- Total known movies 69
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 familys apartment in Manhattans 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 Rams 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.
Count Zartharn
Movie 1978
Self (archive footage)
Movie 2007
Self (archive footage)
Movie 2007
Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
Movie 1980
Drunken Sailor
Movie 1980
William "Willie" Cicci
Movie 1981
Frank Zito
Movie 1980
Manetti
Movie 1982
Self
Movie 2000
Vinny Durand
Movie 1982
Willi Cicci (uncredited)
Movie 1972
Brig. Gen. George Delevane
Movie 1988
Angelo
Movie 1978
Rico
Movie 1986
Hansen
Movie 1989
Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
Movie 1995
Mike Abatino
Movie 1978
Self (archive footage)
Movie 2020
Yancey
Movie 1980
Sol Terranova
Movie 1975
Uncle Roscoe
Movie 1988
Angelo
Movie 1983
Mr. Robbie
Movie 1986
Arthur Fletcher
Movie 1979
Door Guard
Movie 1981
Capt. Desher
Movie 1979
Tony Larosa
Movie 1988
Border Patrolman
Movie 1983
Bride's Father
Movie 1982
Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
Movie 2016
Ollie Slatt
Movie 1975
Escobar
Movie 1983
Marty
Movie 1973
Bill
Movie 1975
(archive footage)
Movie 2001
Jim Halsey
Movie 1985
Masked witness (uncredited)
Movie 1982
Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
Movie 1987
