Coarsely handsome US actor of Irish-Italian background who has successfully portrayed a wide range of intriguing characters from numerous ethnic backgrounds, both on screen and in the theater. Assante was a graduate from Cornwall Central High School and received his dramatic training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first screen role was as a wedding guest in the minor cult film The Lord's of Flatbush starring Henry Winkler and Sylvester Stallone, then after guest appearances in several TV soap operas, he was back alongside Sylvester Stallone in Paradise Alley. He played a wealthy Frenchman seducing army recruit Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, portrayed literary "hard boiled" detective Mike Hammer in I, the Jury plus, he was excellent in the title character role in Belizaire the Cajun.

Assante continued on into the 1990s with more strong performances as a drug baron in Q & A directed by Sidney Lumet, he made a sensational team with Antonio Banderas for the Cuban music spectacular The Mambo Kings, he was very impressive in the mob drama Hoffa, and once more he was on screen with Sylvester Stallone in the film adaptation of the futuristic comic book _Judge Dredd (1955)_ , and Assante co-starred in the uneven Demi Moore film Striptease.

Assante's acting talents remain in strong demand, and he has continued to stay busy on screen with recent appearances in One Eyed King, Citizen Verdict and Two for the Money.


He is the son of an Irish mother and an Italian father, but contrary to many popular beliefs, he was born in New York City. Reportedly gained nearly 50 lbs for his role in Gotti. Lives on a 225 acre farm in upstate New York. Came from a creative, arts-related family. His Irish mother, Katherine, was a music teacher and poet; his Italian father, Armand Sr., a painter and artist.