Joe Viterelli

Known for ActingBorn 1937-03-10Died 2004-01-28New York, USA

Joseph "Joe" Viterelli (March 10, 1937 – January 28, 2004) was an Italian American actor known for his mafioso-orientated character roles. Joe Viterelli was born to Italian immigrants in Bronx, New York. Before Viterelli became an actor, he was a successful businessman in New York City. He had befriended director Leo Penn (actor Sean Penn's father), who initially tried but failed to persuade Viterelli to pursue acting because of his unique and typically Italian looks. Some years later, Sean Penn approached Viterelli and asked him to try out for a part as a favor: Viterelli did and went on to appear in State of Grace and then in over 40 movies. Joe Viterelli became an icon of Mafia-Movies. Viterelli died on January 28, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada due to a severe stomach hemorrhage, a complication of just-completed heart surgery. He was 66 years old. His last role was as a mobster in a 2004 Super Bowl ad for Staples, Inc. and his last movie role was as Jelly in Harold Ramis’ Analyze That.Read more

Movies & web series

The Cure for Boredom

The Strip

What She Doesn't Know

The Commish

Bullets Over Broadway

The Making of a Mobster: 'Mickey Blue Eyes'

State of Grace

The Firm

Analyze This

Wannabes

Mobsters

Shallow Hal

Fallen Angels

See Spot Run

Eraser

The Crossing Guard

Analyze That

Out to Sea

American Strays

Mickey Blue Eyes

Palace Guard

Jane Austen's Mafia!

Ruby

Serving Sara

Looking For Lola

Heaven's Prisoners

Hitman's Run

A Walk in the Park

In the Shadow of a Killer

Black Rose of Harlem

Facade