A heavy set, bald character player who often sports a distinctive, pencil-thin moustache and is frequently cast as gangsters or cops, Polito appeared on Broadway in "American Buffalo" (1977), "Curse of the Aching Heart" (1982) and the 1984 revival of "Death of a Salesman" (which was broadcast on CBS in 1985) and starred in the original Hartford Stage Company production of "Other People's Money". He made his film debut in The Clairvoyant and played Tommy Lucchese in the TV series The Gangster Chronicles. Polito is best known for his roles in two films by the Coen Brothers: as obsequious yet vicious crime lord Johnny Caspar in Miller's Crossing and as the toadying Lou Breeze in Barton Fink.


Appears in five of the Coen Brothers movies, more than by any other actor except Steve Buscemi. He attended Villanova University on a drama scholarship, graduating on the Dean's list. From there, he began a successful lengthy run on the New York stage both off and on Broadway. Originated roles in the plays The Transfiguation Of Benno Blimpie, Gemini, and Other Peoples Money. Was not re-hired for season 2 of _"Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) because the Network wanted to add a female cast member.