Federico Castelluccio

Federico Castelluccio (; ; born April 29, 1964) is an Italian-born American actor. He is best known for his role as Furio Giunta on the HBO series The Sopranos.

Early life Born in Naples, Italy, Castelluccio moved with his family to Paterson, New Jersey, when he was three years old. In 1982, Castelluccio was awarded a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he earned a BFA in painting and media arts. Prior to winning the scholarship, he received an opportunity to create a painting for actor George Burns.

Career Castelluccio began his career as an actor in 1986. Some of his film credits include Made with Jon Favreau, Fire with Paul Campbell and 18 Shades of Dust with Danny Aiello. In television, his credits include NYPD Blue and his best known role, in the HBO hit series The Sopranos, as the Neapolitan enforcer Furio Giunta.

He also appeared in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints which debuted in 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival and received two awards, one for best dramatic directing and another for best dramatic ensemble, headed by Robert Downey Jr., Chazz Palminteri, and Rosario Dawson.

Other film projects include the biographical El Cantante; Aftermath, a crime thriller; and The Obscure Brother, filmed in southern Italy, a short film that he executive produced and acted in; 2003's La Araña; the 2008 comedy Capers; Lucky Days; and the 2009 Forget Me Not. In television, Castelluccio played the lead role in Dragon Dynasty, a telefilm that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. He also appeared in the episode of Kenny Vs. Spenny titled "Who Can Produce The Best Commercial".

In 2014, Castelluccio acted in Don Capria's short film Eulogy, acting alongside Michael Kaves. With the rest of the cast, they won Best Ensemble at the Queens World Film Festival.

In 2016, Castelluccio directed the feature film The Brooklyn Banker. In 2017, Castelluccio directed the TV pilot Outcall.

During the fourth season of Celebrity Apprentice, Castelluccio was asked by Donald Trump to judge which celebrity designed the best hat. Castelluccio eventually chose La Toya Jackson. She was awarded $25,000 for her charity, the AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Painting discovery

Castelluccio discovered a 17th-century painting by Italian baroque painter Guercino at a Frankfurt gallery and subsequently purchased it at auction in 2014 after it had been incorrectly identified as an 18th-century painting. He purchased the painting for approximately $68,000. After restoration, insurance, shipping, and other expenses, his total costs came to $140,000. The work's actual value was subsequently placed at approximately $10 million.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1997 Grind Bar Patron 1999 18 Shades of Dust Bouncer #1 2001 Made Doorman 2002 Fire Jack Video 2003 La Araña Bobby Short 2004 Return of Fire Jack Video Volare Paolo Bongiovanni Short 2005 In Hot Water Father Sal Manella Short 2006 A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints Antonio's Father Dragon Dynasty Marco TV movie El cantante Jerry Massucci 2007 The Obscure Brother Father Short The Hit Sal Short 2008 Lucky Days Vincent Proud Iza Samuel Stein Short The Bronx Balletomane Joey Short The Brooklyn Heist R. Fadagucci Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace Louie the Bartender 2009 The Pink Panther 2 Turin Guide Forget Me Not Samaratian Short 2010 Bicycle Lessons Himself (voice) Short Lily of the Feast Santo Bastucci Short For Customers Only Mr. Sierra Short 2011 Keep Your Enemies Closer Agent Lepari Short The Decoy Bride Marco The Orphan Killer Dr. Morris 2012 The Trouble with Cali Chassidic Bouncer Pollination Father Short Brutal Kastriot Morina Delivering the Goods Enzo 2013 Stanley's Adventures - Short Aftermath Darrell Checkmate, Keep Your Enemies Closer Agent Lepari Short House of Shadows Father Nicola de Mundo 2014 Eulogy Martin Short 2015 Dutch Book Mel Leaves of the Tree Dr. Ferramanti Fall 4 You Nicky Short 2016 Outcall Jerry The Brooklyn Banker Zucci 2018 Toy Gun Sante Cassoria Sarah Q Barry Homburg 2019 Exit 0 Detective Mueller 2020 5th Borough Agent Miguel Alvarez 2021 The War of the Worlds 2021 New Yorker Short The Stakeout Detective Mancini Short 2023 The Families Feud Rider of the Valkyries 2024 Cabrini Senator Bodio

Television Year Title Role Notes 1991–96 Another World Maltese Guard Regular Cast 2000–02 The Sopranos Furio Giunta Recurring Cast: Season 2, Main Cast: Season 3-4 2003 NYPD Blue Brian Vaughn Episode: "It's to Die For" 2004 The Bronx Bunny Show Himself Episode: "Episode #1.9" 2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Frank Chess Episode: "Contract" 2009 Celebrity Ghost Stories Himself Episode: "Episode #1.3" 2011 The Apprentice Himself/Guest Judge Episode: "The Art of the Deal"

Music video Year Song Artist 2006 "Rockstar" Nickelback

Accolades

2015 - Best Ensemble - shared with the rest of the cast of Eulogy - Queens World Film Festival