Compact Italian-American actor born February 9, 1943, in Newark, NJ, who first broke into entertainment as a child actor and by the mid-50s was starring on the series "Star Time Kids". In the mid-'60s he released a record under the stage name of "Joe Ritchie" titled "Little Joe Sure Can Sing", and was also playing guitar with several bands, including Joey Dee and The Starliters. He even joined with friend Frank Vincent to start a vaudeville-style comedy act, but met with limited success (interestingly, Pesci and Vincent would later go on to co-star in several gangster films together, including Goodfellas and Casino)

Pesci's first film role was as an uncredited dancer in Hey, Let's Twist and then he had to wait another 15 years for a minor part in The Death Collector. His work in the second film was seen by Robert De Niro, who convinced director Martin Scorsese to cast him as "Joey LaMotta" in the epic boxing film Raging Bull, which really got him noticed in Hollywood. He played opposite Rodney Dangerfield in Easy Money, was with buddy DeNiro again in Once Upon a Time in America, nearly stole the show as con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 2 and scored a Best Supporting Actor Oscar playing the psychotic Tommy DeVito in "Goodfellas".

His comedic talents shone again in the mega-popular Home Alone, and he put in a terrific performance as co-conspirator David Ferrie in JFK. Pesci was back again as Leo Getz for Lethal Weapon 3, and was still a bumbling crook in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and had a minor role in the Robert De Niro-directed A Bronx Tale. He was lured back by Scorsese to play another deranged gangster named Tommy (based on real-life hood Tony Spilotro [aka "The Ant"]) in the violent Casino, and starred in the comedies 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag and Gone Fishin', although both failed to fire at the box office.

He returned again as fast-talking con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 4.


Lethal Weapon 4 (1998): $3,000,000
Jimmy Hollywood (1994): $3,500,000

Reprised his character from My Cousin Vinny (1992) for his 1998 album "Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You". The single "Yo Cousin Vinny" was a hit in some European countries. Started out with Joey D and the Starliters; working his way around as a waiter and singing and playing guitar in local nightclubs Eyes are different colors. The word Pesci in Italian means "fish" (plural). After winning the oscar for his role as Tom DeVito in the movie Goodfellas (1990) his entire acceptance speech was "This is an honor and privilege, thank you." When asked why he didn't say more he said "I really didn't think I was going to win." Did Judo in his teens Very good friends with fellow actor and frequent co-star, Robert De Niro. He has a house in Lavalette, New Jersey. In the 1980s, he established a reputation as a community Little League Baseball Coach. Was the original choice to play "Fergie" in Judge Dredd (1995) but turned it down. The part was given to Rob Schneider, instead. Childhood friends with Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi. Introduced them to Bob Gaudio. Valli, DeVito, Massi, and Gaudio became the rock group The Four Seasons. According to Maxim magazine, he wrote and directed the "You think I'm funny?" scene from Goodfellas (1990) at director Martin Scorsese's request. Ended his nine month engagement to Angie Everhart. The couple had been together for eight years. [Late April 2008] Has one daughter, Tiffany, with ex-wife Claudia Haro.