Armand Assante

Armand Anthony Assante Jr. ( ; born October 4, 1949) is an American actor. He played mobster John Gotti in the 1996 HBO television film Gotti alongside Anthony Quinn, Odysseus in the 1997 miniseries adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, Nietzsche in When Nietzsche Wept, and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer in 1982's I, the Jury. He has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards (one win for his performance in Gotti), four Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Assante also played 'Dominic Cattano', who was based on the real-life Lucchese family boss Carmine Tramunti, in the 2007 film American Gangster alongside Denzel Washington, Josh Brolin and Russell Crowe, which was nominated for two Oscars at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008.

Early life Armand Anthony Assante, Jr. was born on October 4, 1949 in New York City and raised in Cornwall, New York, the son of Armand Anthony Assante Sr., a painter and artist, and Katharine (née Healy), a music teacher, English teacher and poet. He is of Italian and Irish descent.

Career During the 1970s, Assante was a regular on two NBC soap operas, How to Survive a Marriage as Johnny McGhee and The Doctors as Mike Powers. His first film was The Lords of Flatbush (1974), although his work did not appear in the final cut of the film and the end credits misspelled his last name as Assanti. He starred in Prophecy (1979). His first on-screen role was playing Sylvester Stallone's brother in Paradise Alley (1978). A role that brought him greater attention came in 1980's Private Benjamin, as a handsome Frenchman who becomes the love interest of a U.S. soldier played by Goldie Hawn. In 1984, he portrayed the playboy violin virtuoso Maximillian Stein in the Dudley Moore comedy vehicle Unfaithfully Yours.

Assante has played a number of tough hero characters, such as his starring role as private eye Mike Hammer in the film I, the Jury (1982) as well as mafia gangsters such as Michael Moretti in Sidney Sheldon's Rage of Angels. In 1990, his role as Roberto Texador in Sidney Lumet's film Q&A garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. The following year, he portrayed Bugsy Siegel in Neil Simon's The Marrying Man (1991). The following year, he was seen as mafia boss Carol D'Allesandro in Hoffa (1992) starring Jack Nicholson, and crime kingpin John Gotti also in the same year The Mambo Kings with Antonio Banderas, in the 1996 made-for-television biopic Gotti, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.

In addition to mafia and "tough-guy" roles, Assante has appeared in historical dramas, such as Napoleon Bonaparte in 1987's Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story opposite Jacqueline Bisset, Odysseus in The Odyssey, Friedrich Nietzsche in the film adaptation of Irving Yalom's novel When Nietzsche Wept, and as Sanchez, Queen Isabella's Minister of State, in 1492: Conquest of Paradise.

Other film appearances include one as a Cuban bandleader in The Mambo Kings (1992) opposite Antonio Banderas and in the adaptation of the science-fiction story Judge Dredd (1995) with Sylvester Stallone, his co-star in Paradise Alley. He appeared in the 2007 film American Gangster with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. He had a recurring guest star role in several episodes of NCIS, playing the international arms dealer René Benoit. He has also appeared in the 2009 horror film Smile as the mysterious Tollinger and portrayed Ernie in Sugar (marketed on Lifetime as Danger Below Deck). Outside of the U.S., he has participated in several film projects and humanitarian endeavors in Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Personal life Assante had a high-profile relationship with Dyan Cannon, his co-star from 1978's Lady of the House. He married Karen McArn in 1982. The couple had two daughters. They separated in 1992. It is not clear whether or when they divorced. Assante has also dated Italian actress Mara Venier and Vanessa Constantino.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1974 The Lords of Flatbush Wedding Guest 1975 First Ladies Diaries Robards Television film 1978 Paradise Alley Lenny Carboni Human Feelings Johnny Turner Television film Lady of the House Ernest de Paulo Television film The Pirate Ahmed Television film 1979 Prophecy John Hawks 1980 Little Darlings Gary Callahan Private Benjamin Henri Alan Tremont Sophia Loren: Her Own Story Riccardo Scicolone Television film 1982 Love and Money Lorenzo Prado I, the Jury Mike Hammer 1983 Rage of Angels Michael Moretti Television film 1984 Unfaithfully Yours Maximillian Stein Why Me? James Stalling Television film 1986 A Deadly Business Charles Macaluso Television film Belizaire the Cajun Belizaire Breaux 1987 Stranger in My Bed Hal Slater Television film Hands of a Stranger Joe Hearn Television film 1988 The Penitent Juan Mateo 1989 Passion and Paradise Alfred de Marigny Television film Animal Behavior Mark Mathias 1990 Q & A Roberto Texador Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Eternity Romi/Sean 1991 The Marrying Man Bugsy Siegel Fever Ray Television film 1992 The Mambo Kings Caesar Castillo 1492: Conquest of Paradise Gabriel Sánchez Hoffa Carl "Dally" D'Allesandro 1993 Fatal Instinct Ned Ravine 1994 Blind Justice Canaan Television film Trial by Jury Rusty Pirone 1995 Judge Dredd Rico Dredd Kidnapped Alan Breck Stewart Television film 1996 Striptease Lieutenant Al Garcia Gotti John Gotti Television film Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie 1999 The Hunley Lieutenant George E. Dixon Television film 2000 The Road to El Dorado Tzekel-Kan Voice Nominated—Annie Award for Best Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production On the Beach Commander Dwight Towers Television film Looking for an Echo Vince "Vinnie" Pirelli 2001 Last Run Frank Banner After the Storm Jean-Pierre Television film One Eyed King Hollis "Holly" Cone 2002 Federal Protection Frank Carbone Television film Partners in Action Jack Cunningham 2003 Tough Luck Ike Citizen Verdict Sam Patterson Consequence Sam Tyler 2005 Dot.Kill Charlie Daines The Third Wish Benefactor Mirror Wars Henry York Two for the Money C.M. Novian Confessions of a Pit Fighter Argento The Commuters Donald Television film Ennemis Publics - Rambam: The Story of Maimonides Yitzchak 2006 Funny Money Genero Surveillance Harley Soul's Midnight Simon Dead Lenny Tony "Thick" 2007 Casanova's Last Stand Sebastian Marr Mexican Sunrise Salvidar California Dreamin' Captain Doug Jones Nominated—Gopo Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role When Nietzsche Wept Friedrich Nietzsche Children of Wax Kemal American Gangster Dominic Cattano Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture 2008 The Man Who Came Back Amos Shark Swarm Hamilton Lux Television film 2009 The Lost Kevin Television film The Steam Experiment Detective Mancini La Linea Padre Antonio Smile Edward Tollinger Chicago Overcoat Stefano D'Agnostino Death Valley Screamers: Bonnie & Clyde Casino Owner Short The Bleeding Jake Plummer Breaking Point Marty Berlin 2010 Shadows in Paradise Captain John "Ghost" Santo Magic Man Lieutenant Taper Killer by Nature Eugene Branch 2011 The Return of Joe Rich Uncle Dom Jesse Dominick Guido Lorenzo De Costa 2012 The Night Never Sleeps Inspector Romanelli 2013 Dead Man Down Lon Gordon The Fix Vincent Short Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn Joseph Baldano Sr. Assumed Killer Aaron Banfield 2014 See You in Montevideo Hotchkins Hunting the Phantom Charles Ingrim A Fine Step Alejandro Bolivar Charlie Mantle Inspector Bennett In Between Engagements Alonzo 2015 Diamond Cartel Mussa Leaves of the Tree Joe Buffa Sicilian Vampire Vince Kids vs Monsters Damian Blind Pass Richard James 2016 Beyond the Game Mr. Leone Stressed to Kill Paul Jordan The Red Maple Leaf Agent Joseph Cortez Wasn't Afraid to Die Paul Blowtorch Canarsie 2017 First Law Don Nowet You Can't Have It The Man Joe's War Dr. Galante The Wanderers: The Quest of the Demon Hunter Louis The Neighborhood Tucci Power of Silence The Narrator 2018 Con Man Jack Saxon Darc Lafique The P.I.M.P. Armando 2019 The Brave Frank Pedulla General Andreas 2020 Infamous Six Dr. Albert Cioran 2021 The Match Camp Commander 2022 Sugar Ernie 2023 Don Q Don Q 2024 Oak Abe

Television series Year Title Role Notes 1975 How to Survive a Marriage Johnny McGee Episode: "Episode #1.325" 1975–1976 The Doctors Dr. Michael Powers Regular cast 1977 Kojak Tom Ryan Episode: "Caper on a Quiet Street" 1979 Mrs. Columbo Freddie Faust Episode: "A Chilling Surprise" 1985 Evergreen Joe Friedman TV miniseries 1987 Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story Napoleon Bonaparte TV miniseries 1988 Jack the Ripper Richard Mansfield TV miniseries Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television 1997 The Odyssey Odysseus TV miniseries Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated—Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television 2002 Push, Nevada Mr. Smooth Episode: "The Amount" 2006 ER Richard Elliot Recurring cast: season 12, guest: season 13 2007 NCIS René "La Grenouille" Benoit Recurring cast: season 4, guest: season 5 2008 October Road Gabriel Diaz Recurring cast: season 2 2010 Chuck Premier Alejandro Goya Episode: "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte & Coup d'Etat" Human Target Joubert Episode: "Christopher Chance" 2015 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Nicolas Amaro Episode: "Padre Sandunguero" 2018–2019 The Family Business Sal Dash Main cast: season 1 The Deuce Mr. Martino Guest: season 2, recurring cast: season 3 2019 General Andreas Episode: "Episode #1.2" 2022 Salvage Marines Kelkis Morturi Main cast

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref. 2016 Action On Film International Film Festival Outstanding Cast Performance – Feature The Red Maple Leaf 2000 Annie Awards Best Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production The Road to El Dorado 2018 Garden State Film Festival Most Valuable Player 1988 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Jack the Ripper 1990 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Q & A 1996 Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Gotti 1997 The Odyssey 2008 Gopo Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role California Dreamin' 2017 Ischia Global Film & Music Festival Ischia Documentary Feature Award The Man Who Unlocked the Universe 1997 Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries The Odyssey 1989 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Jack the Ripper 1997 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Gotti 1997 Satellite Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television The Odyssey 1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Gotti 2007 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture American Gangster 2007 Westchester Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award

Other recognition In 2010, Assante received a star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.