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'Daniel Louis Aiello, Jr.' (born June 20, 1933^[1]) is an American actor who has appeared in numerous motion pictures, including ''Once Upon a Time in America'', ''Ruby'', '', ''Hudson Hawk'', ''The Purple Rose of Cairo'', ''Moonstruck'', '', ''Two Days in the Valley'', and ''Dinner Rush''. He is perhaps most famous for his role in the 1989 Spike Lee film ''Do the Right Thing''. Aiello was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1990 for his portrayal of Sal, the pizzeria owner.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Career

Personal life

Filmography

References

External links

Biography

Early life

Aiello was born in Manhattan and moved to the South Bronx when he was seven,^[2] the son of Italian American parents Daniel Louis Aiello, Sr., a laborer, and Frances (née Pietrocova), a seamstress who was a native of Naples, Italy.^[3] He attended James Monroe High School.^[3]
At sixteen years old, Aiello lied about his age in order to enlist in the U.S. Army. After serving for three years, he returned to NYC and did various jobs in order to support himself and later his family. Aiello also once served as a union representative for Greyhound bus workers, and was a night club bouncer.

Career

Although his characters are often crass, vulgar, and violent, Aiello has also portrayed sensitive, kindly men with an earthy sense of humor, for example his roles in ''Jacob's Ladder'' and ''Once Around.''
Aiello played the title character in the video for Madonna's song "Papa Don't Preach". Aiello has released several albums of big band music.
On the Family Guy episode Sibling Rivalry (Family Guy), Peter pretends that his penis is Danny Aiello.

Personal life

Aiello during a interview with Sean Hannity pointed out that he is also a Conservative and was raised Roman Catholic. He has also criticized the overuse of foul language in films and television series, as well as movies and television shows featuring poor portrayals of Italian-Americans, especially ''The Sopranos''.
Aiello is the uncle of New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay.

Filmography

★ ''The Shoemaker'', 2006, The Shoemaker

★ ''The Last Request'', 2006, Pop

★ ''Lucky Number Slevin'', 2006, Roth

★ ''Stiffs'', 2006, Frank Tramontana

★ ''Brooklyn Lobster'', 2005, Frank Giorgio

★ ''The Fool'', 2005, Voice of the Dummy

★ ''Zeyda and the Hitman'', 2004, Nathan

★ ''Mail Order Bride'', 2003, Tony Santini

★ ''Off Key'', 2001, Fabrizio Bernini

★ ''Prince of Central Park'', 2000, Noah Cairn

★ ''Dinner Rush'', 2000, Louis Cropa

★ ''Mambo Café'', 2000, Joey

★ ''18 Shades of Dust'', 1999, Vincent Dianni

★ ''Wilbur Falls'', 1998, Phillip Devereaux

★ ''Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis'', 1997, Mr. Rathbone

★ ''A Brooklyn State of Mind'', 1997, Danny Parente

★ ''2 Days in the Valley'', 1996, Dosmo Pizzo

★ ''City Hall'', 1996, Frank Anselmo

★ ''Mojave Moon'', 1996, Al

★ ''Two Much'', 1995, Gene

★ ''Lieberman in Love'', 1995, Joe Lieberman

★ ''Power of Attorney'', 1995, Joseph Scassi

★ ''Prêt-à-Porter'', 1994, Major Hamilton

★ ''Léon'', 1994, Tony

★ ''Save the Rabbits'', 1994, Ronnie

★ ''Me and the Kid'', 1993, Harry

★ ''The Pickle'', 1993, Harry Stone

★ ''The Cemetery Club'', 1993, Ben Katz

★ ''Mistress'', 1992, Carmine Rasso

★ ''Ruby'', 1992, Jack Ruby

★ '', 1992, Tony Rosato

★ ''29th Street'', 1991, Frank Pesce, Sr.

★ ''Hudson Hawk'', 1991, Tommy Five-Tone

★ ''Once Around'', 1991, Joe Bella

★ ''The Closer'', 1990, Chester Grant

★ '', 1990, Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")

★ ''Jacob's Ladder'', 1990, Louis

★ ''He Ain't Heavy'', 1990

★ ''Harlem Nights'', 1989, Phil Cantone

★ ''Do the Right Thing'', 1989, Sal

★ ''White Hot'', 1989, Charlie Buick

★ ''January Man'', 1989, Captain Vincent Alcoa

★ ''Shocktroop'', 1989, John Cunningham

★ ''Russicum - I giorni del diavolo'', 1988, George Sherman

★ ''Moonstruck'', 1987, Mr. Johnny Cammareri

★ ''The Pick-up Artist'', 1987, Phil Harper

★ ''Man on Fire'', 1987, Conti

★ ''Radio Days'', 1987, Rocco

★ ''Key Exchange'', 1985, Carabello

★ ''The Protector'', 1985, Danny Garoni

★ ''The Stuff'', 1985, Vickers

★ ''The Purple Rose of Cairo'', 1985, Monk

★ ''Old Enough'', 1984, Mr. Bruckner

★ ''Once Upon a Time in America'', 1984, Police Chief Vincent Aiello

★ ''Broadway Danny Rose'', 1984

★ ''Deathmask'', 1984, Capt. Mike Grasso

★ ''Chu Chu and the Philly Flash'', 1981, Johnson

★ ''Fort Apache the Bronx'', 1981, Morgan

★ ''Hide in Plain Sight'', 1980, Sal Carvello

★ ''Defiance'', 1980, Carmine

★ ''Bloodbrothers'', 1978, Artie

★ ''Fingers'', 1978, Butch

★ ''Hooch'', 1977

★ ''The Front'', 1976, Danny LaGattuta

★ '', 1974, Tony Rosato

★ ''Bang the Drum Slowly'', 1973, Horse

★ ''The Godmothers'', 1973, uncredited

References

1. http://www.filmreference.com/film/86/Danny-Aiello.html
2. AIELLO, Danny International Who's Who. accessed September 1, 2006.
3. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800047652/bio
4. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800047652/bio

External links

★ Official website

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