Joe Spinell

Joe Spinell- Biography

Joe Spinell was an American actor who appeared in a number of films and Broadway plays. He rose to prominence as a character actor. Spinell was often cast as an underworld thug or a cynical police officer due to his bulky physique. Spinell debuted in the film industry with a small role in the legendary film ‘The Godfather.’ Despite his tiny role, Spinell was admired by the film’s director, Francis Ford Coppola. Later in his career, he played supporting roles in films such as ‘The Godfather Part II,’ ‘The One Man Jury,’ and ‘Rocky.’ Spinell starred in the film ‘Maniac,’ which depicted the narrative of a serial killer.

Spinell was also a co-writer on the film. He played the lead in the horror-comedy film ‘The Last Horror Film.’ Spinell has been in TV shows such as ‘Strike Force’ and ‘Night Heat.’ His final performance in a leading part was in the film ‘The Undertaker,’ which was released a year before his death. Spinell was well-known for his heavy use of alcohol and narcotics. He had hemophilia, which led to his untimely death. Spinell was injured after falling in the bathroom. The bleeding did not cease, and Spinell did not call for assistance. His body was discovered in his residence.

Joe Spinell- Birth, Age, Ethnicity, Siblings, Education

Joe Spinell was born on October 28, 1936, as Joseph Spagnuolo. His parents were immigrants from Italy. He was born in Kips Bay, Manhattan, a neighborhood dominated by Italian immigrants. Spinell was the youngest of his parents’ six children.
Joe Spinell’s educational qualifications are not publicly available. Spinell’s father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo, had kidney disease and died when he was young. Filomena Spagnuolo, his mother, was an actress. She appeared in various films alongside her kid. Spinell and his family relocated to Queen’s, New York, following the death of his father.

Joe Spinell- Relationship, Married Life

Joe Spinell was married to Jean Jennings, an adult film star. They married in 1977 and have one child. The couple divorced in 1979.
Spinell was an alcoholic who used narcotics regularly. He was afflicted with hemophilia. Spinell fell in his bathtub on January 13, 1989, and severely cut himself. Instead of phoning for aid, he fell asleep. His bleeding did not stop since he had hemophilia. A few hours later, one of his buddies discovered him dead in his living room on a couch. He was laid to rest in ‘Calvary Cemetery,’ close to his home.

Joe Spinell- Professional Career

Spinell made his film debut in 1972, playing a minor role in the critically acclaimed film ‘The Godfather.’ In this, he played a mafia enforcer named ‘Willie Cicci,’ who worked for the ‘Corleone’ family. Despite his insignificance, Spinell was spotted by the film’s director, Francis Ford Coppola. He returned to the role in the sequel, ‘The Godfather Part II,’ in 1974. Spinell appeared in the contemporary western film ‘Rancho Deluxe’ in 1975 as ‘Mr. Coleson,’ a Native American cowboy. In the same year, he played the role of ‘Nick’ in the crime thriller film Farewell, My Lovely.’ It was based on the same-named novel. Spinell played ‘Ollie Slatt’ in the film ’92 in the Shade.’ He also appeared as a supporting character in the TV series Strike Force.’

Joe Spinell appeared as a supporting actor in another legendary film, ‘Rocky,’ in 1976. It starred Sylvester Stallone and chronicled the life of a professional boxer. Spinell played the character of ‘Tony Gazzo,’ the protagonist’s boss, in the film. Joe and Stallone became great friends after the film. Spinell appeared in films such as ‘Nunzio,’ ‘Paradise Alley,’ and ‘Big Wednesday’ in 1978. The same year, he played ‘Mike Abatino’ in the crime film ‘The One Man Jury.’ Spinell was given jobs as cops, gangsters, or underworld helpers because of his strong build. Spinell reprised the role of ‘Tony Gazzo’ in the 1979 film ‘Rocky II.’

Joe Spinell played his first leading part in 1980. In the film ‘Maniac,’ he played the protagonist, ‘Frank Zito.’ Spinell was also a co-writer on the film. It presented the story of a man who was abused by his mother as a child and grew up to become a serial killer. Due to the occurrence of excessive violence, the film was labeled ‘For Adults Only.’ Spinell played a major part in the 1982 film ‘The Last Horror Film.’ David Winters directed the horror-comedy film. Spinell played ‘Vinny Durand,’ a cab driver in New York City who was enamored with a horror movie starlet in the film. The plot revolves around ‘Vinny’s’ attempts to direct a film starring his favorite actress.

Spinell appeared in the film ‘Vigilante’ in 1983 as a corrupt lawyer named ‘Eisenberg.’ In the comedic film ‘Losin’ It,’ he played a U.S. Customs officer. Tom Cruise played the lead in the film. Spinell played the primary villain, ‘Brusstar,’ in the crime film ‘Walking the Edge,’ in 1985. Joe Spinell appeared in the film ‘Hollywood Harry’ in 1986 as ‘Max Caldwell,’ a supporting part. His role was the protagonist’s friend and business partner in the film. During the same year, he appeared in films such as ‘The Whoopee Boys’ and ‘The Messenger.’ Spinell appeared in a few episodes of the TV show ‘Night Heat’ from 1986 to 1987.

Spinell played the final main role of his career in 1988. In the horror film ‘The Undertaker,’ he played an undertaker named ‘Roscoe.’ It told the story of a mortician who murdered ladies for his own amusement. Despite the fact that the film was completed in 1988, it was never released in theaters. A shortened version of the film was released on DVD in 2010.

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