JS
Joe Spinell
Actor, Writer, Producer
Born October 28, 1936Died January 13, 1989 (52 years)
Joe Spinell was born Joseph J. Spagnuolo in Manhattan, New York of Italian immigrant parents, and the last of six children. His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo (b. 1892, d. 1950), died from liver and kidney disease. His mother Filomena Spagnuolo (b. 1903, d. 1987) was a bit-part actress who acted in a few movies, some of them alongside her son. Spinell stood 5 foot and 11 inches. He was born at his family's apartment in Manhattan's Little Italy on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. A few years after the death of his father, he moved with his mother and older siblings to Woodside, Queens, New York where he lived off-and-on for the remainder of his life. Spinell suffered most of his life from hemophilia as well as chronic asthma. Because of his large, heavyset frame and imposing looks, Spinell was often cast as criminals, thugs, or corrupt police officers. His most notable roles were as mafioso Willi Cicci in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and as loan shark Tony Gazzo in Rocky and Rocky II. Although primarily known as a character actor, Spinell co-wrote and starred as a serial killer in the 1980 film, Maniac. Joe Spinell died in his apartment on January 13, 1989 at the age of 52. The cause of his untimely death is arguable to this day. Some say that his death was caused by sudden heart attack due to heavy drug use, drinking and emotional distress in light of his mother passing away two years earlier. It is also speculated that he may have died from asthma complications, or bled to death from hemophilia related causes. He was planning a sequel to Maniac before his death. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Queens near his home. He is the distant cousin of the American football team St. Louis Ram's Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. Spinell was married to adult film star Jean Jennings from February 1977 to July 1979. Together they had one daughter, but they eventually divorced.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Filmography
| 2017 | John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs · as Cast |
| 2016 | FantastiCozzi · as Count Zarth Arn (archive Footage) |
| 2006 | The Godfather and the Mob · as Cast |
| 2001 | The Joe Spinell Story · as (archive Footage) |
| 1992 | The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 · as Willi Cicci |
| 1989 | Rapid Fire · as Hansen |
| 1988 | The Undertaker · as Uncle Roscoe |
| 1988 | Married to the Mob · as Leonard 'tiptoes' Mazzilli |
| 1988 | Operation Warzone · as Brig. Gen. George Delevane |
| 1987 | Deadly Illusion · as Crazy Man In Gun Bureau |
| 1987 | The Pick-up Artist · as Eddie |
| 1986 | The Messenger · as Rico |
| 1986 | Blood Ties · as Joey, New York Goon #1 |
| 1986 | The Whoopee Boys · as Guido Antonucci |
| 1986 | The Children of Times Square · as Street Vendor |
| 1986 | Scream Greats, Volume I: Tom Savini · as Frank Zito |
| 1985 | Hollywood Harry · as Max Caldwell |
| 1985 | Out of the Darkness · as Jim Halsey |
| 1985 | The Equalizer (TV Series) · as Mob Boss |
| 1985 | Night Heat (TV Series) · as Carlucci |
| 1985 | Walking the Edge · as Brusstar |
| 1983 | The Big Score · as Mayfield |
| 1983 | Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer · as Escobar |
| 1983 | The Last Fight · as Angelo |
| 1983 | Eureka · as Pete |
| 1982 | |
| 1982 | One Down, Two to go · as Joe Spangler |
| 1982 | Monsignor · as Bride's Father |
| 1982 | The Last Horror Film · as Vinny Durand |
| 1982 | Night Shift · as Manetti |
| 1982 | Vigilante · as Eisenberg |
| 1982 | A Question of Honor · as Masked Witness (uncredited) |
| 1982 | Movie Madness · as Agent / M.c. ("success Wanters") |
| 1981 | Nighthawks · as Lt. Munafo |
| 1981 | The Godfather 1901–1959: The Complete Epic · as William "willie" Cicci |
| 1980 | The First Deadly Sin · as Charles Lipsky |
| 1980 | Melvin and Howard · as Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited) |
| 1980 | Brubaker · as Floyd Birdwell |
| 1980 | Nightside · as Michael Vincent |
| 1980 | Maniac · as Frank Zito |
| 1980 | Forbidden Zone · as Drunken Sailor |
| 1980 | The Ninth Configuration · as Lt. Spinell |
| 1980 | Cruising · as Patrolman Disimone |
| 1979 | Vampire · as Capt. Desher |
| 1979 | The Little Dragons · as Yancey |
| 1979 | Rocky II · as Tony Gazzo |
| 1979 | Winter Kills · as Arthur Fletcher |
| 1979 | Last Embrace · as Man In Cantina |
| 1978 | |
| 1978 | CBS Afternoon Playhouse (TV Series) · as Door Guard |
| 1978 | The One Man Jury · as Mike Abatino |
| 1978 | Paradise Alley · as Burp |
| 1978 | Big Wednesday · as Psychologist |
| 1978 | Nunzio · as Angelo |
| 1977 | The Godfather: A Novel for Television (TV Series) · as William "willie" Cicci |
| 1977 | Sorcerer · as Spider |
| 1976 | Rocky · as Tony Gazzo |
| 1976 | Stay Hungry · as Jabo |
| 1976 | Next Stop, Greenwich Village · as Cop |
| 1976 | Taxi Driver · as Personnel Officer |
| 1975 | 92 in the Shade · as Ollie Slatt |
| 1975 | Farewell, My Lovely · as Nick |
| 1975 | Strike Force · as Sol Terranova |
| 1975 | Rancho Deluxe · as Mr. Colson |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II · as William 'willie' Cicci |
| 1973 | The Seven-Ups · as Toredano |
| 1973 | Cops and Robbers · as Marty |
| 1972 | The Godfather · as Willi Cicci (uncredited) |