Chazz Palminteri

Calogero Lorenzo "Chazz" Palminteri (born May 15, 1952) is an American actor. He is best known for his film roles in A Bronx Tale (1993), based on his play of the same name, Bullets Over Broadway (1994) for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and The Usual Suspects (1995), as well as his recurring role as Shorty in Modern Family (2010–2019). His other films include Mulholland Falls (1996), A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001), Little Man (2006), Once Upon a Time in Queens (2013), and Legend (2015). He is also known for his recurring roles in Wiseguy (1989), Kojak (2005), Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2014) and Godfather of Harlem (2019–2021).

Infobox

Born

Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri (1952-05-15) May 15, 1952 (age 73)New York City, U.S.

Occupations

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Years active

1983–present

Spouse

mw- Gianna Ranaudo (m. 1992)

Children

Website

chazzpalminteri.net

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1983

Home Free All

Role(s)

Truck Hijacker

1985

The Last Dragon

Role(s)

Hood No. 2

1991

Oscar

Role(s)

Connie

1992

Innocent Blood

Role(s)

Tony Silva

There Goes the Neighborhood

Role(s)

Lyle Corrente

1993

A Bronx Tale

Role(s)

"Sonny" LoSpecchio

Notes

Also writer

1994

Bullets Over Broadway

Role(s)

"Cheech"

1995

The Usual Suspects

Role(s)

US Customs Agent Dave Kujan

The Perez Family

Role(s)

Lieutenant John Pirelli

The Last Word

Role(s)

Ricky

Jade

Role(s)

Matt Gavin

1996

Diabolique

Role(s)

Guy Baran

Faithful

Role(s)

Tony

Mulholland Falls

Role(s)

Detective Elleroy Coolidge

1998

Scar City

Role(s)

Lieutenant Laine Devon

Hurlyburly

Role(s)

Phil

A Night at the Roxbury

Role(s)

Benny Zadir

1999

Analyze This

Role(s)

Primo Sidone

The Book That Wrote Itself

Role(s)

Mr. Palminteri

Stuart Little

Role(s)

Smokey

Notes

Voice

2001

Down to Earth

Role(s)

King

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Role(s)

Buster

Notes

Voice; direct-to-video

One Eyed King

Role(s)

Detective Eddie Dugan

2002

Poolhall Junkies

Role(s)

Joe

2004

One Last Ride

Role(s)

Tweat

Noel

Role(s)

Arizona

Notes

Also director

2005

Animal

Role(s)

Kassada

Notes

Direct-to-video

In the Mix

Role(s)

Frank Pacelli

Hoodwinked!

Role(s)

Woolworth

Notes

Voice

2006

Running Scared

Role(s)

Detective Rydell

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Role(s)

Monty Montiel

Push

Role(s)

Vince

Little Man

Role(s)

Mr. Walken

Arthur and the Minimoys

Role(s)

Travel Agent

Notes

Voice

2007

The Bodyguard

Role(s)

Lee Maxwell

The Dukes

Role(s)

George

2008

Yonkers Joe

Role(s)

Joe "Yonkers Joe"

Jolene

Role(s)

Sal Fontaine

2009

Once More with Feeling

Role(s)

Frank Gregorio

Notes

Direct-to-video

2010

Hollywood & Wine

Role(s)

Geno Scarpaci

2012

Mighty Fine

Role(s)

Joe Fine

The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure

Role(s)

Milky Marvin The Milkshake

2013

Once Upon a Time in Queens

Role(s)

Ben Rose

Metegol

Role(s)

Ermitaño / Stinky

Notes

Voice; American dub

Final Recourse

Role(s)

Dr. Tomman

2014

Henry & Me

Role(s)

Babe Ruth

Notes

Voice

2015

Legend

Role(s)

Angelo Bruno

2019

Vault

Role(s)

Raymond L. S. Patriarca

2020

Clover

Role(s)

Tony

TBA

Role(s)

Bad News on the Doorstep

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1983	Home Free All	Truck Hijacker
1985	The Last Dragon	Hood No. 2
1991	Oscar	Connie
1992	Innocent Blood	Tony Silva
1992	There Goes the Neighborhood	Lyle Corrente
1993	A Bronx Tale	"Sonny" LoSpecchio	Also writer
1994	Bullets Over Broadway	"Cheech"
1995	The Usual Suspects	US Customs Agent Dave Kujan
	The Perez Family	Lieutenant John Pirelli
	The Last Word	Ricky
	Jade	Matt Gavin
1996	Diabolique	Guy Baran
	Faithful	Tony
	Mulholland Falls	Detective Elleroy Coolidge
1998	Scar City	Lieutenant Laine Devon
	Hurlyburly	Phil
	A Night at the Roxbury	Benny Zadir
1999	Analyze This	Primo Sidone
	The Book That Wrote Itself	Mr. Palminteri
	Stuart Little	Smokey	Voice
2001	Down to Earth	King
	Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure	Buster	Voice; direct-to-video
	One Eyed King	Detective Eddie Dugan
2002	Poolhall Junkies	Joe
2004	One Last Ride	Tweat
2004	Noel	Arizona	Also director
2005	Animal	Kassada	Direct-to-video
	In the Mix	Frank Pacelli
	Hoodwinked!	Woolworth	Voice
2006	Running Scared	Detective Rydell
	A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints	Monty Montiel
	Push	Vince
	Little Man	Mr. Walken
	Arthur and the Minimoys	Travel Agent	Voice
2007	The Bodyguard	Lee Maxwell
2007	The Dukes	George
2008	Yonkers Joe	Joe "Yonkers Joe"
2008	Jolene	Sal Fontaine
2009	Once More with Feeling	Frank Gregorio	Direct-to-video
2010	Hollywood & Wine	Geno Scarpaci	Direct-to-video
2012	Mighty Fine	Joe Fine
2012	The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure	Milky Marvin The Milkshake
2013	Once Upon a Time in Queens	Ben Rose
	Metegol	Ermitaño / Stinky	Voice; American dub
	Final Recourse	Dr. Tomman
2014	Henry & Me	Babe Ruth	Voice
2015	Legend	Angelo Bruno
2019	Vault	Raymond L. S. Patriarca
2020	Clover	Tony

· Filmography › Television

1986

Hill Street Blues

Role(s)

"Sonny" Cappelito

Notes

Episode: "Bald Ambition"

1987

Matlock

Role(s)

MP Sergeant Marcy

Notes

Episode: "The Court-Martial: Part 2"

Glory Years

Role(s)

Drummond

Notes

TV movie

1989

Peter Gunn

Role(s)

Soldier

Dallas

Role(s)

Frank

Notes

Episode: "He-e-ere's Papa!"

Valerie

Role(s)

Leslie

Notes

Episode: "Viva Las Vegas"

1st & Ten: The Championship

Role(s)

Notes

Episode: "Duty Call"

Wiseguy

Role(s)

Peter Alatorre / Sal Rosselli

Notes

Recurring cast: Season 3

1990

Sydney

Role(s)

Tony

Notes

Episode: "Love Ya, Babe"

1997

The Directors

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "The Films of William Friedkin"

1999

Dilbert

Role(s)

Leonardo da Vinci

Notes

Voice; episode: "Art"

Excellent Cadavers

Role(s)

Giovanni Falcone

Notes

TV movie

2001

An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Main host

Bravo Profiles

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Rod Steiger"

Boss of Bosses

Role(s)

Paul Castellano

Notes

TV movie

2003

AFI Life Achievement Award

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "A Tribute to Robert De Niro"

Biography

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Humphrey Bogart"

2004

Dr. Vegas

Role(s)

Duke Walcott

Notes

Episode: "Lust for Life"

2005

Kojak

Role(s)

Captain Frank McNeil

Notes

Recurring cast

2010

Celebrity Ghost Stories

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Episode #2.4"

2010–2014

Role(s)

Rizzoli & Isles

Notes

Frank Rizzoli Sr.

2010–2019

Role(s)

Modern Family

Notes

"Shorty"

2011

Rocco's Dinner Party

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Ultimate Summer Party"

2012

The Haunting of...

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Chazz Palminteri"

2012–2013

Role(s)

Blue Bloods

Notes

Angelo Gallo

2014

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Role(s)

Perry Cannavaro

Notes

Episode: "Jersey Breakdown"

2017

Kevin Can Wait

Role(s)

Vincent

Notes

Episode: "Plus One Is the Loneliest Number"

2017–2018

Role(s)

Voltron: Legendary Defender

Notes

Burr

2019–2021

Role(s)

Godfather of Harlem

Notes

Joseph Bonanno

2021

Law & Order: Organized Crime

Role(s)

Manfredi Sinatra

Notes

Episode: "What Happens in Puglia"

2021–2023

Role(s)

Gravesend

Notes

Cesar Tremaldo

2023

Bubble Guppies

Role(s)

Tiny The Slug

Notes

Voice; episode: "A Slow Day in Zippy City!"

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1986	Hill Street Blues	"Sonny" Cappelito	Episode: "Bald Ambition"
1987	Matlock	MP Sergeant Marcy	Episode: "The Court-Martial: Part 2"
1987	Glory Years	Drummond	TV movie
1989	Peter Gunn	Soldier	TV movie
	Dallas	Frank	Episode: "He-e-ere's Papa!"
	Valerie	Leslie	Episode: "Viva Las Vegas"
	1st & Ten: The Championship	Al	Episode: "Duty Call"
	Wiseguy	Peter Alatorre / Sal Rosselli	Recurring cast: Season 3
1990	Sydney	Tony	Episode: "Love Ya, Babe"
1997	The Directors	Himself	Episode: "The Films of William Friedkin"
1999	Dilbert	Leonardo da Vinci	Voice; episode: "Art"
1999	Excellent Cadavers	Giovanni Falcone	TV movie
2001	An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson	Himself	Main host
	Bravo Profiles	Himself	Episode: "Rod Steiger"
	Boss of Bosses	Paul Castellano	TV movie
2003	AFI Life Achievement Award	Himself	Episode: "A Tribute to Robert De Niro"
2003	Biography	Himself	Episode: "Humphrey Bogart"
2004	Dr. Vegas	Duke Walcott	Episode: "Lust for Life"
2005	Kojak	Captain Frank McNeil	Recurring cast
2010	Celebrity Ghost Stories	Himself	Episode: "Episode "
2010–2014	Rizzoli & Isles	Frank Rizzoli Sr.	Recurring cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 3-4
2010–2019	Modern Family	"Shorty"	Guest Cast: Season 1, 3-5 & 9-10
2011	Rocco's Dinner Party	Himself	Episode: "Ultimate Summer Party"
2012	The Haunting of...	Himself	Episode: "Chazz Palminteri"
2012–2013	Blue Bloods	Angelo Gallo	Guest Cast: Season 3-4[citation needed]
2014	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Perry Cannavaro	Episode: "Jersey Breakdown"
2017	Kevin Can Wait	Vincent	Episode: "Plus One Is the Loneliest Number"
2017–2018	Voltron: Legendary Defender	Burr	Voice; guest cast: Season 4 & 8
2019–2021	Godfather of Harlem	Joseph Bonanno	Recurring cast: Season 1-2
2021	Law & Order: Organized Crime	Manfredi Sinatra	Episode: "What Happens in Puglia"
2021–2023	Gravesend	Cesar Tremaldo	Recurring cast: Season 2
2023	Bubble Guppies	Tiny The Slug	Voice; episode: "A Slow Day in Zippy City!"

· Filmography › Video games

2012

Year

2012

Game

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Role

Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca

Notes

Featured on 2013's "Uprising" downloadable content.

Year	Game	Role	Notes
2012	Call of Duty: Black Ops II	Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca	Featured on 2013's "Uprising" downloadable content.

· Filmography › Documentary

1996

Little Italy

1997

Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's

1998

Italians in America

2005

Bullets Over Hollywood

Role(s)

[citation needed]

2008

Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies

2014

Journey to Sundance

2016

Davi's Way

Year	Title	Notes
1996	Little Italy
1997	Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's
1998	Italians in America
2005	Bullets Over Hollywood	[citation needed]
2008	Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies
2014	Journey to Sundance
2016	Davi's Way

· Awards and nominations

1994

Academy Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor

Notes

Bullets Over Broadway

American Comedy Awards

Role(s)

Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Notes

Nominated

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor

Notes

Nominated

Independent Spirit Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Male

Notes

Won

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Notes

Nominated

1995

National Board of Review Awards

Role(s)

Best Acting by an Ensemble

Notes

The Usual Suspects

1996

Sant Jordi Awards

Role(s)

Best Foreign Actor

Notes

A Bronx Tale, Bullets Over Broadway, and The Usual Suspects

2006

Sundance Film Festival

Role(s)

Best Ensemble Performance

Notes

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Results	Ref.
1994	Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Bullets Over Broadway	Nominated
1994	American Comedy Awards	Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture		Nominated
1994	Chicago Film Critics Association Awards	Best Supporting Actor		Nominated
1994	Independent Spirit Awards	Best Supporting Male		Won
1994	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role		Nominated
1995	National Board of Review Awards	Best Acting by an Ensemble	The Usual Suspects	Won
1996	Sant Jordi Awards	Best Foreign Actor	A Bronx Tale, Bullets Over Broadway, and The Usual Suspects	Won
2006	Sundance Film Festival	Best Ensemble Performance	A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints	Won

References

Chazz Palminteri bio Archived September 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Chazzpalminteri.net. Retrieved on November 19,
http://www.chazzpalminteri.net/bio.htm
Newsday
https://archive.today/20130131174449/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103570802.html?dids=103570802:103570802&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+24,+1989&author=Dennis+Duggan&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=DENNIS+DUGGAN'S+NEW+YORK+A+Playwright+(And+an+Actor)+Grows+in+the+Bronx&pqatl=google
Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/03/22/all_that_chazz/?page=full
BostonGlobe.com
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2019/03/30/chazz-palminteri-and-real-life-inspiration-for-bronx-tale-are-forever-intertwined/dTk8xCYQtVJjVIC48gQVNO/story.html
The Irish Times
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/dolph-lundgren-grace-jones-would-bring-as-many-as-five-girls-back-exhausting-1.3704513
www.mentalfloss.com
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/558094/facts-about-a-bronx-tale-robert-de-niro
The Villager, Vol. 77, No. 23; November 7–13, 2007
"Broadway Names with Julie James," On Broadway, SiriusXM, October 11, 2012.
Winn, Steven. "Palminteri revisits 'A Bronx Tale'" San Francisco Chronicle, September 23, 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Palminteri-revisits-A-Bronx-Tale-3193917.php
"Cheri, Based on Colette's Classic Novella, Begins Performances Off-Broadway". Broadway.com. November 19, 2013.
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=551402
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-theater-review-unorganized-crime-at-elephant-theatre-20140513-story.html
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chazz-palminteri-talks-new-play-702355
The A.V. Club
https://www.avclub.com/chazz-palminteri-on-a-bronx-tale-keyser-soze-and-stal-1798245059
Nymag.com
https://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/39313/
TVGuide.com
https://www.tvguide.com/News/Elizabeth-Chazz-ModernFamily-1011242.aspx
Baltimore magazine
http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/2015/1/26/chazz-a-bronx-original-closes
"Actor Chazz Palminteri Opens A Classic Italian Restaurant in NYC | HuffPost Life"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/actor-chazz-palminteri-op_b_8989718/amp
"Actor And Author Chazz Palminteri Of 'A Bronx Tale' Opens A Lavish Italian Restaurant In White Plains, New York"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmariani/2021/09/07/actor-and-author-chazz-palminteri-of-a-bronx-tale-opens-a-lavish-italian-restaurant-in-white-plains-new-york/
www.youtube.com
https://www.youtube.com/@ChazzPalminteriShow/videos
YouTube, Chazz Palminteri Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0vXSyiXImg
YouTube, Chazz Palminteri Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVBgMtm9gho
Fat Joe: Just Another Bronx Tale | Chazz Palminteri Show | EP 145
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6pF7m63Puw
Mario Cantone: Comedy & Sex in the City | Chazz Palminteri Show | EP 154
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTAJ37lSXs
Shaquille O'Neal | Chazz Palminteri Show | EP 158
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8GFvCvAXWs
luxurylv.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20101125092258/http://luxurylv.com/2009/12/up-close-and-personal/3756
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2025/05/bad-news-on-the-doorstep-casts-rob-gronkowski-mischa-barton-more-1236414395/
"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 – Mob of the Dead: Chazz Palminteri"
https://www.gamereactor.eu/video/109031/Call+of+Duty+Black+Ops+2+Mob+of+the+Dead+Chazz+Palminteri/
"The 67th Academy Awards (1995) Nominees and Winners"
http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1995
"1988-2013 Award Winner Archives"
https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives
"36 Years of Nominees and Winners"
https://s3.amazonaws.com/SA_SubForm_etc/2021_SA_ALLNomineesWinners_063021.pdf
"The 1st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards"
https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/inaugural-screen-actors-guild-awards
"1995 Award Winners"
https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1995/