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Joe Spinell

Joe Spinell

Actor

​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 family's apartment in Manhattan's 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 Ram's 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.

Born: October 28, 1936 in Manhattan, New York

Died: January 13, 1989 (Age 52)

Streaming Sources for all Joe Spinell Movies & TV Shows

Joe Spinell  Movies & TV Credits

Title Rating Job Role(s) Year
Movie
7.9
ActorTony Gazzo1976
Movie
7.5
ActorTony Gazzo1979
Movie
7.1
ActorNick1975
Movie
5.8
ActorJabo1976
Movie
6.2
ActorLt. Munafo1981
Movie
4.2
ActorCount Zartharn1978
Movie
6.4
ActorEisenberg1982
Movie
6.9
ActorCop1976
Movie
6.7
ActorToredano1973
Movie
6.3
ActorFrank Zito1980
Movie
6.3
ActorPatrolman DiSimone1980
Movie
6.4
ActorManetti1982
Movie
7.8
ActorSpider1977
Movie
6.9
ActorLt. Spinell1980
Movie
5.7
ActorVinny Durand1982
Movie
3.3
ActorBrig. Gen. George Delevane1988
Movie
6.7
ActorAngelo1978
Movie
4.7
ActorMayfield1983
Movie
5.9
ActorBrusstar1985
Movie
4.2
ActorRico1986
Movie
3.9
ActorHansen1989
Movie
5.2
ActorMike Abatino1978
Movie
4
ActorYancey1980
Movie
5.7
ActorPete1983
Movie
6
ActorLeonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli1988
Movie
4.3
ActorJoe Spangler1982
Movie
8.3
ActorPersonnel Officer1976
Movie
5.5
ActorGuido Antonucci1986
Movie
3.2
ActorAgent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")1982
Movie
7.3
ActorPsychologist1978
Movie
6.1
ActorMr. Colson1975
Movie
5.8
ActorBurp1978
Movie
6
ActorArthur Fletcher1979
Movie
8.9
ActorWilliam 'Willie' Cicci1974
Movie
9
ActorWilli Cicci (uncredited)1972
Movie
4.3
ActorMax Caldwell1986
Movie
4.7
ActorUncle Roscoe1988
Movie
5.1
ActorBorder Patrolman1983
Movie
7.2
ActorFloyd Birdwell1980
Movie
5.3
ActorEddie1987
Movie
6.7
ActorDrunken Sailor1980
Movie
4.9
ActorBride's Father1982
Movie
6.6
ActorGo-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)1980
Movie
7
ActorCount Zarth Arn (archive footage)2016
Movie
5.8
ActorOllie Slatt1975
Movie
5.9
ActorMan in Cantina1979
Movie
6.2
ActorMarty1973
Movie
5.8
ActorCharles Lipsky1980
Movie
5.7
ActorAngelo1983
Movie
4.5
ActorCrazy Man in Gun Bureau1987
Movie
4.9
ActorVinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)1995
Movie
7.4
Actor(archive footage)2001
Movie
7.7
ActorSelf (archive footage)2007
Movie
7.8
ActorSelf (archive footage)2007
Movie
7
ActorSelf2000
Short Film
7.4
ActorSelf (archive footage)2020
TV Show
7.6
ActorMob Boss
1 Episode
1985-1989
Short Film
6.1
ActorMr. Robbie1986
Movie
4.1
ActorSol Terranova1975
Movie
5.9
ActorCapt. Desher1979
Movie
5.3
ActorEscobar1983
Movie
6
ActorStreet Vendor1986
Movie
5.9
ActorBill1975
Movie
6
ActorJoey, New York Goon #11986
Movie
5.4
ActorMichael Vincent1980
Movie
6.4
ActorMasked witness (uncredited)1982
Movie
5.9
ActorJim Halsey1985
Limited Series
9.3
ActorWilliam "Willie" Cicci
4 Episodes
1977-1977
Movie
6.3
WritingScreenplay, Executive Producer, Story1980
Movie
5.9
WritingOriginal Film Writer2012
Short Film
6.1
WritingStory, Producer1986
Title Rating Job Role(s) Year
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