Joe Viterrelli is an American actor who brilliantly succeeded in the role of gangsters. âAnalyze thisâ, âAnalyze thisâ, âFirmâ, âEraserâ are the most famous films with his participation. In the first two films, the actor played the role of the gangster Studny, a subordinate to the mafiosi Paul Vitti. What else can you tell about this amazing person?
Joe Viterrelli: the beginning of the journey
The future performer of the role of Studny was born in New York, a joyful event took place in March 1937. Joe Viterrelli was born into a family of immigrants from Italy, spent the first years of his life in the Bronx. Among his relatives there were no actors, so no one could have imagined that a boy who did not stand out from the crowd of peers would one day become a star.
In his youth, Joe Viterrelli tried many professions. He managed to be a driver, a loader, a carpenter, an employee of dry cleaning, quit and again looked for work. At one time, the young man tried to do business, but did not succeed due to the lack of a commercial vein.
First roles
It cannot be said that Joe Viterrelli would become an actor if his friend Leo Penn had not advised him to try himself in this field. Director Penn appreciated the friendâs bright appearance and suggested that Viterrelli would look great in the roles of gangsters. Joe followed wise advice, which he did not regret.
The first aspiring actor was on the set in 1990. Viterrelli played a small role in the crime melodrama The State of Frenzy, which tells about the everyday life of representatives of the New York criminal world. Then Joe starred in the films Gangsters, In the Shadow of a Killer, What She Doesn't Know About, Bullets over Broadway, Guard at the Crossroads, Prisoners of Heaven. Viterrelli also appeared in the series "Police Commissioner", "Ideal Crimes."
His first roles differed little from each other, he constantly played small gangsters, violators of the law. Fortunately, this did not bother Joe Viterrelli at all, films and series with his participation continued to go on wide screens.
Filmography
In 1996, the action movie "Eraser" was released, in which Joe played the role of the charismatic hero Tony, known by the nickname Fingers. The main character is an employee of the witness protection program , which âerasesâ the past of people taken under protection. Once he has to defend a woman whose testimony will help expose a gang selling superweapons. This is not an easy task, because people who are ready for absolutely anything prey on a witness.
In the second half of the 90s, Viterrelli Joe starred in the films âAmerican Trampsâ, âMachine Gun Bluesâ, âIn Search of Lolaâ, âMafia!â. Luck smiled at the actor when he was approved for the role of Jelly in the crime comedy "Analyze It." The protagonist of the film is the influential mafioso Paul Vitti, whose one name makes the criminal world of New York tremble with fear. Once he finds himself on the verge of a nervous breakdown, which harms his reputation. Subordinates convince the boss to seek help from a psychoanalyst. The actor embodied the image of one of Vitti's most devoted assistants, who is sincerely concerned about his fate.
Then Viterrelli Joe starred in the films Death Valley, Blue-eyed Mickey, Walk in the Park, Break Up, Agent Spot, Face to Face, Love of Evil, and Fraudsters. He also played a small but vivid and memorable role in the drama series The Strip.
What else to see?
The last time Viterrelli was on the set in 2002, it happened two years before his death. The actor again embodied the image of Jelly, which is considered his most famous character. He starred in the sequel to the film "Analyze This," which was called "Analyze That." Spectators again meet with the influential and ruthless mafiosi Paul Vitti, whose assistant is Studen. The godfather is imprisoned on charges of serious crimes, he can only plan an escape. Of course, Vitti manages to get out of his cell, but he again needs the help of a psychoanalyst.
After the release of the crime comedy Analyze That, he no longer starred in Joe Viterrelli's films. The complete filmography of the American movie star includes about 30 cinematic works. Almost all of them are listed in this article.
Life behind the scenes
Viterrelli is an actor who managed not only to find the work of his life, but also to create a strong family. Katerina Brennan became the chosen one of Joe, in the marriage with which he spent many happy years. Katerina is a simple woman who is not related to the world of cinema. The wife gave Viterrelli five children, whom he always tried to protect from the importunate attention of journalists.
Actor's death
Unfortunately, the actor left this world in January 2004, he was only 66 years old. The cause of death is a severe form of hemorrhage of the stomach, a complication after heart surgery. Joe died in a hospital in Las Vegas, not having time to say goodbye to loved ones. The cinema fan, the owner of Viterrelli's characteristic appearance was remembered as the best gangster of American cinema, a legend man.