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Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. () (June 20, 1933 – December 12, 2019) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous motion pictures, including The Godfather Part II (1974), The Front (1976), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Hide in Plain Sight (1984), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Moonstruck (1987), Harlem Nights (1989), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jacob's Ladder (1990), Hudson Hawk (1991), Ruby (1992), (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), Dinner Rush (2000), and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). He played Don Domenico Clericuzio in the miniseries The Last Don (1997).
Aiello was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Salvatore "Sal" Frangione in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing (1989).
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Danny Aiello Biography, Yahoo; accessed June 21, 2017, Archived from the original on May 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. He was of Italian descent. He moved to the South Bronx when he was seven, and later attended James Monroe High School.
At the age of 16, Aiello lied about his age to enlist in the United States Army. After serving for three years, he returned to New York City and did various jobs in order to support himself and, later, his family.
In the 1960s, Aiello served as president of New York Local 1202 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing Greyhound Lines workers. In 1967, he presided over an unsanctioned wildcat strike when the company changed bus driver schedules. The strike was called without authorization by the parent union and he was suspended for that action. He called off the strike after one day.
He was also a bouncer at the legendary New York City comedy club, The Improv. In the mid-1980s, he was a nightly regular at Café Central, a bistro frequented by celebrities on 79th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, in Manhattan, and at an eatery named Columbus restaurant on 66th Street and Columbus Avenue.
Aiello had a co-lead role with Jan-Michael Vincent in Defiance (1980), about some Manhattan residents who fight back against the thugs terrorizing the neighborhood. He received considerable acclaim for playing a racist New York City cop in Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981) with Paul Newman. In 1981, Aiello won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming for his appearance in an ABC Afterschool Special called A Family of Strangers.
He was paired with De Niro again for the Sergio Leone gangster epic, Once Upon a Time in America (1984), as a police chief whose name was also "Aiello." His many film appearances included two for director Woody Allen, who cast him in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), and Radio Days (1987). He played a main role in the 1985-86 television series Lady Blue.
Aiello played the pizzeria owner Sal in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989). At the time of the film's release, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, he called the role his "first focal part". He further identified the film as a very collaborative effort, during which Spike Lee at one point told him, "Whatever you wanna do, you do." Aiello went on to write a crucial scene he shared with John Turturro ten minutes prior to its production. The role earned him nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, while the film critics' associations of Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles each named him best supporting actor.
Aiello also portrayed more sympathetic characters. He gained recognition as the befuddled fiancé of Cher opposite her Oscar-winning performance in the romantic comedy Moonstruck (1987), and made a comic appearance in drag for the Robert Altman fashion-industry film Prêt-à-Porter (1994). He also had sympathetic roles in the horror thriller Jacob's Ladder (1990) and the comedy-drama 29th Street (1991).
Aiello played nightclub owner and Lee Harvey Oswald assassin Jack Ruby in the biopic Ruby (1992), the lead role in Paul Mazursky's film business satire The Pickle (1993), the titular character in the Academy Award-winning short film Lieberman in Love (1995), and a political big shot with mob ties in City Hall (1996), starring Al Pacino. He later starred in the independent feature film Dolly Baby (2012), written and directed by Kevin Jordan; Aiello also starred in Jordan's Brooklyn Lobster, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005.
He played the father for the video of Madonna's song, "Papa Don't Preach" (1986), and recorded his own answer song, "Papa Wants the Best for You", written by Artie Schroeck.Liz Smith, " Papa Gets Second Chance In New Video", Sarasota Herald-Tribune (October 22, 1986), 5E.
In 1981, Aiello starred in Woody Allen's play The Floating Light Bulb alongside Beatrice Arthur. The play, set in 1945, is a semi-autobiographical tale of a lower middle class family living in Brooklyn, New York City. Frank Rich, critic from The New York Times gave the play a mild review, writing "there are a few laughs, a few well-wrought characters, and, in Act II, a beautifully written scene that leads to a moving final curtain". Rich also compared the play to the work of Tennessee Williams.
In the mid-1980s, Aiello starred in a replacement cast version of Hurlyburly (1984) alongside Christine Baranski, Frank Langella, Ron Silver, and Candice Bergen. He also starred in The House of Blue Leaves (1986) alongside John Mahoney (who earned a Tony Award for his performance), Ben Stiller, Stockard Channing, and Julie Hagerty.
In 2002, Aiello starred in Elaine May's comedic play, Adult Entertainment alongside May's daughter, Jeannie Berlin. The play was directed by Stanley Donen and opened off-broadway at the Variety Arts Theatre. Critic Ben Brantley of The New York Times, described the play as an "often very funny, but overstretched comedy sketch".
In July 2011, Aiello appeared Off-Broadway in the two-act drama The Shoemaker, written by Susan Charlotte and directed by Antony Marsellis. The play is a stage version of his 2006 movie A Broken Sole, which began life in 2001 as a one-act play.
In 2014, Aiello published his autobiography, I Only Know Who I Am When I Am Somebody Else: My Life on the Street, on the Stage, and in the Movies via Simon & Schuster. He was the father of stuntman and actor Danny Aiello III, who died in 2010 of pancreatic cancer. Another son Rick Aiello, who was also an actor, died in 2021 of the same disease. His surviving children are Jaime, and Stacey Aiello. His nephew is Michael Kay, broadcaster for the New York Yankees.
Many in the entertainment industry voiced their sadness either on Twitter or released statements, such as his Moonstruck co-star Cher, and Robert De Niro, who starred alongside Aiello in four films: Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), and Mistress (1992). De Niro wrote, "I am very saddened to hear of Danny's passing. I have known him for almost 50 years. See you in Heaven, Danny."
Music
Aiello's singing was on display in films such as Hudson Hawk (1991), Once Around (1991), and Remedy (2005) that starred his son Ricky Aiello and Jonathan Doscher. He released several albums featuring a big-band including I Just Wanted to Hear The Words (2004), Live from Atlantic City (2008), and My Christmas Song for You (2010). Aiello and EMI songwriter Hasan Johnson released an album of standards fused with rap entitled Bridges in 2011.
Theater
Aiello appeared on the Broadway stage many times throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in three plays by Louis La Russo II: Lamppost Reunion (his Broadway debut - 1975), Wheelbarrow Closers (1976), and Knockout (1979). In 1977, he originated the role of Fran Geminiani in the long-running play Gemini.
Personal life
Aiello lived in Ramsey, New Jersey, for many years with his wife, Sandy Cohen, whom Aiello married in 1955.Golden, Tim. "FILM; Danny Aiello Journeys Along The Blue-Collar Road to Stardom", The New York Times, February 10, 1991. Accessed January 23, 2008. "Though friends say he is cashing paychecks of close to $1 million, Mr. Aiello and his wife, Sandy, live in the same split-level house in Ramsey, N.J., that they bought a decade ago for $125,000." He later moved to Saddle River, New Jersey.Andrea Adams, Saddle River, The Star-Ledger, April 28, 2005; "Last year, instead of amusements during the day, Saddle River Night featured a band concert by a 40-piece orchestra, as well as the family-style picnic and a special treat: Saddle River resident Danny Aiello sang a few songs after the band concert."
Death
Aiello died on December 12, 2019, at age 86, at a hospital in New Jersey, following a brief illness.
Filmography
Film
1973 Bang the Drum Slowly Horse 1974 The Godfather Part II Tony Rosato 1975 The Godmothers Uncredited 1976 The Front Danny LaGattuta 1977 Hooch Tony 1978 Fingers Butch Bloodbrothers Artie Di Falco 1980 Defiance Carmine Hide in Plain Sight Sal Carvello 1981 Fort Apache, The Bronx Morgan Chu Chu and the Philly Flash Johnson 1983 Blood Feud Randy Powers 1984 Old Enough Mr. Bruckner Once Upon a Time in America Police Chief Vincent Aiello Broadway Danny Rose Uncredited 1985 The Purple Rose of Cairo Monk The Stuff Vickers The Protector Danny Garoni Key Exchange Carabello 1987 Radio Days Rocco Man on Fire Conti The Pick-up Artist Phil Harper Moonstruck Johnny Cammareri 1988 The Third Solution George Sherman 1989 The January Man Captain Vincent Alcoa White Hot Charlie Buick Do the Right Thing Salvatore "Sal" Fragione Shocktroop John Cunningham Harlem Nights Phil Cantone 1990 Jacob's Ladder Louis The Closer Chester Grant He Ain't Heavy Short 1991 Once Around Joe Bella Hudson Hawk Tommy "Five-Tone" Messina 29th Street Frank Pesce Sr. 1992 Deathmask Capt. Mike Grasso Ruby Jack Ruby Mistress Carmine Rasso 1993 The Cemetery Club Ben Katz The Pickle Harry Stone Me and the Kid Harry 1994 Tony Prêt-à-Porter Major Hamilton Save the Rabbits Ronnie 1995 Power of Attorney Joseph Scassi Lieberman in Love Joe Lieberman Short Two Much Gene 1996 City Hall Frank Anselmo 2 Days in the Valley Dosmo Pizzo Mojave Moon Al 1997 Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis Mr. Rathbone A Brooklyn State of Mind Danny Parente 1998 Wilbur Falls Phillip Devereaux 1999 18 Shades of Dust Vincent Dianni 2000 Mambo Café Joey Dinner Rush Louis Cropa Prince of Central Park Noah Cairn 2001 Off Key Fabrizio Bernini 2003 Mail Order Bride Tony Santini 2004 Zeyda and the Hitman Nathan 2005 The Fool Voice of the Dummy Short Brooklyn Lobster Frank Giorgio 2006 Lucky Number Slevin Roth Last Request Pop A Broken Sole The Shoemaker 2010 Stiffs Frank Tramontana 2013 Dolly Baby Tony Lanza 2014 Henry & Me Dr. Acosta Voice Reach Me Father Paul 2017 The Neighborhood Joseph Donatello 2018 Little Italy Carlo 2019 The Last Big Save Louis Brown Making a Deal With The Devil Mario 2021 One Moment Joe McGuinness Posthumous release; final film role Hereafter Musical Jason Short
Television
1976 Kojak Mattie Episode: "Black Thorn" 1977 The Andros Targets Lt. Phil Lombardi 3 episodes 1978 On Our Own Skip Mazarelli 2 episodes The Last Tenant Carl TV film Lovey: A Circle Of Children, Part II Bernie Serino 1980 A Family of Strangers Dominic Ginetti ABC Afterschool Special 1982 Gemini Fran TV film Nurse Gene Halley Episode: "Gene Halley" The Unforgivable Secret Frank Caruso ABC Afterschool Special A Question of Honor Martelli TV film 1983 3-2-1 Contact Florist Episode: "Babies: Growth and Development" 1984 Tales from the Darkside Tommy Vale Episode: "The Odds" 1985 The Lucie Arnaz Show Vic Rosetti Episode: "Good Sports" 1985–1986 Lady Blue Lt. Terry McNichols 14 episodes 1987 Saturday Night Live Master of Ceremonies Episode: "Charlton Heston/Wynton Marsalis" Daddy Coach Jacobs TV film Night Heat Frankie D. Episode: "Comeback" 1988 Alone In The Neon Jungle Chief TV film 1989 The Preppie Murder Det. Mike Sheehan 1990 Papa Segment: "Papa Don't Preach" 1992 Tony Rosato TV reruns 1995 Brothers' Destiny (aka The Road Home) Duke TV film 1996 Narrator Documentary Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "Danny Aiello/Coolio" 1997 The Last Don Don Domenico Clericuzio Miniseries 1997–1998 Dellaventura Anthony Dellaventura 14 episodes 1998 The Last Don II Don Domenico Clericuzio Miniseries 2009 Narrator Documentary 2017 Broken Dreams Blvd Teddy Berry TV film Difficult People Danny Aiello (voice) Episode: "Passover Bump"
Theatre
1944 Follow the Girls Dancing Boy New Century Theatre, Broadway 1975 Lamppost Reunion Biggie Hayes Theater, Broadway 1976 Wheelbarrow Closers Chester Grant Bijou Theatre, Broadway 1977 Gemini Fran Geminiani Hayes Theater, Broadway 1979 Knockout Damie Ruffino Helen Hayes Theatre, Broadway 1981 The Floating Light Bulb Max Pollack Vivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway 1985 Hurlyburly Phil (replacement) Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway 1986 The House of Blue Leaves Billy Einhorn Plymouth Theatre, Broadway 2002 Adult Entertainment Guy Aikens Variety Arts Theatre, Off Broadway 2011 The Shoemaker Performer Acorn Theatre, Off-Broadway 2017 Home for the Holidays Performer August Wilson Theatre, Broadway
Awards
1981 Daytime Emmy Award Performer in a Children's Program 1989 Academy Award Best Supporting Actor Do the Right Thing rowspan=2 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor - Film Boston Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actor rowspan=3 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Chicago Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor 1991 Once Around 1994 National Board of Review Best Ensemble Prêt-à-Porter
Publications
See also
External links
Categories: Official Website, 1933 Births, 2019 Deaths, 20th-century American Male Actors, 21st-century American Male Actors, Male Actors From New Jersey, American Male Film Actors, American Male Stage Actors, American Male Television Actors, American Male Voice Actors, American People Of Italian Descent, Male Actors From Manhattan, People From Ramsey, New Jersey, Entertainers From Saddle River, New Jersey, Comedians From The Bronx, Military Personnel From New York City, United States Army Soldiers, James Monroe High School Alumni, Writers From The Bronx, New Jersey Republicans, Comedians From Manhattan, Comedians From Bergen County, New Jersey, People From Mott Haven, Bronx, Actors From Bergen County, New Jersey
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