Joseph R. Gannascoli

Joseph R. Gannascoli (born February 15, 1959) is an American actor and chef. He is best known for his portrayal of Vito Spatafore on the HBO series The Sopranos.

Early life Gannascoli was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In the 1980s, he attended St. John's University for two years, majoring in communications.

Career Gannascoli received his "big break" in acting from Benicio del Toro, whom he met on the set on Money for Nothing. After appearing in Ed Wood, Del Toro later cast Gannascoli in his directorial debut, Submission. He also introduced him to Sheila Jaffe and Georgianne Walken, who did casting work for the HBO TV series The Sopranos.

Gannascoli appeared in films including Mickey Blue Eyes and television shows including Law & Order before appearing on The Sopranos as a pastry shop patron named "Gino" in the season one episode "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti". He later secured a recurring role as Vito Spatafore, the nephew of Richie Aprile, in the season two episode "The Happy Wanderer". Along with Dan Grimaldi playing identical twins Patsy and Phillip "Philly Spoons" Parisi and Saundra Santiago playing identical twins Jeannie and Joannie Cusamano, it was one of the three times that the show used a single actor for separate roles. Prior to the start of Season 6, Gannascoli was promoted to series regular. Gannascoli brought the idea to the writers of making his character gay from a true story of the Gambino crime family, in a book called Murder Machine.

Gannascoli's other film roles include Men in Black III and the 2015 movie An Act of War.

In 2019, he appeared on an episode of the cannabis-themed competition cooking show, Bong Appétit: Cook Off. He appeared with Vincent Pastore on Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back on January 21, 2020.

Gannascoli appeared in the pilot episode of Bring on the Dancing Horses with Kate Bosworth.

Novel In January 2006, Gannascoli published a crime novel called A Meal to Die For: A Culinary Novel of Crime.

Filmography

Film Years Title Role Notes 1993 Money for Nothing Charlie DiSalvio 1994 Ed Wood Security Guard 1995 Never Talk to Strangers Carnival Attendant Submission Eddie Short 1996 Basquiat Guard at Hospital The Funeral Rocco 1997 976-WISH Frankle Short Blowfish Gino Calbrese 1998 Blunt Paramedic 1999 On the Run Burly Guy Mickey Blue Eyes Jimmy, Gina's Doorman 2000 Two Family House Counter Guy 2004 The Kings of Brooklyn Trader the Hut Never in Our Town Barber Short 2005 Meet the Mobsters Abner Hunnicutt 2006 Beer League Giusuppe Primavera Dog's Life Manager Video 2008 College Road Trip Mr. Arcara The Egg Ralph Short 2009 Reality Horror Night Himself Situation Goat Short 2010 Corrado Frankie D'Onofrio Circus Maximus Uncle Vic 2011 The Reunion David Bass Delsin Himself 2012 Men in Black 3 New York Mets Fan #2 Desperate Endeavors Neil Bates 2013 Chasing Taste Murphy Fratello Tony Pray for Us Sinners Angelo Short My Cross to Bear Danny's Boxing Trainer Short 2014 Rob the Mob Dom Leaving Circadia Nat Gilgamesh Senator Higgins Other Plans Gus 2015 An Act of War Frank 2017 Crossed Lines Cop Jason's Letter Principal (Pratt) Prattoli 2019 The Brawler John Gabriella Carlo Short 2020 The One Frankie 2021 Last Call Charlie Burn - Short 2022 White Hot Fury Charlie Short King Lahiri Frabizio Vitelli

Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 The Sopranos Gino Episode: "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" 2000–06 The Sopranos Vito Spatafore 38 episodes 2004 Law & Order Artie Baldo Episode: "Everybody Loves Raimondo's" 2011 White Collar Salvatore Episode: "On the Fence" 2018 John the Thief Richard Moon Recurring Cast 2020 Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back Himself Episode: "Caneda's White Rooster"; as diners, alongside Vincent Pastore 2022–23 Bring on the Dancing Horses Sal Main Cast

Video Game Year Title Role 2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect Vito Spatafore (voice)