Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr. (April 15, 1937 – September 13, 2017) was an American actor, musician, and comedian. As an imposing Italian-American raised in New Jerseynote , he was frequently typecast as mob enforcers.
A skilled multi-instrumentalist, Vincent led a jazz/lounge band in the 1960s called Frank Vincent and The Aristocats. As musical trends changed and bookings dropped off, Vincent changed tack and formed a comedy Double Act with the band’s guitarist Joe Pesci.
In 1976, he and Pesci were both cast in the low budget crime film The Death Collector. The film caught the eye of both actor Robert De Niro and director Martin Scorsese. Vincent, along with Pesci, became part of Scorsese’s Production Posse, in films that include Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Casino. Other notable roles include Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and the HBO hit The Sopranos, the latter greatly inspired by Goodfellas.
Vincent died from complications of heart failure in 2017. He had been married to Kathleen Vincent since 1970 and the couple had three children.
Works with Frank Vincent:
Film
- 1976 The Death Collector: Bernie Feldshuh
- 1980 Raging Bull: Salvy
- 1982 Dear Mr Wonderful: Louie
- 1983 Baby Its You: Vinnie
- 1983 Easy Money: Mobster Dressed in a Trenchcoat (Uncredited Role)
- 1984 The Pope of Greenwich Village: 1st Crew Chief
- 1986 Wise Guys: Louie Fontucci
- 1989 Do the Right Thing: Charlie
- 1989 Last Exit To Brooklyn: Priest
- 1990 Goodfellas: Billy Batts
- 1990 Street Hunter: Don Mario Romano
- 1991 Mortal Thoughts: Dominic, Joyce’s Father
- 1991 Jungle Fever: Mike Tucci
- 1994 Federal Hill: Sal
- 1995 Ten Benny: Ray DiGlovanni Sr.
- 1995 Casino: Frank Marino
- 1995 Animal Room: Arcade Owner
- 1996 Gotti (1996): Robert “D.B.” DeBernardo (Made-for-TV Movie)
- 1996 Shes The One: Ron
- 1996 Night Falls On Manhattan: Police Captain
- 1997 Grind: Nick
- 1997 Cop Land: PDA President Vince Lassaro
- 1997 The Deli: Tommy Tomatoes
- 1997 The Good Life
- 1998 Witness To The Mob: Frankie DeCicco (TV Movie)
- 1998 Belly: Roger
- 1999 Net Force: Johnny Stompato (TV Movie)
- 1999 Entropy: Sal
- 2000 Isnt She Great: Aristotle Onassis
- 2000 Gun Shy: Carmine Minetti
- 2000 The Crew (2000): Marty
- 2001 Smokin Stogies: Johnny Big
- 2003 This Thing Of Ours: Danny Santini
- 2004 Shark Tale: Great White #3
- 2006 Last Request: Father Brice
- 2009 Chicago Overcoat: Lou Marazano
Television
- 1987 Leg Work: Detective (1 episode)
- 1989 The Paradise Club: Walter MacHeath (1 episode)
- 1991-99 Law & Order: J.Z./John Franchetta (2 episodes)
- 1992 Civil Wars: Matty DiNofrio (1 episode)
- 1993 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: John Torrio
- 1994 Walker, Texas Ranger: Paul Mancini (1 episode)
- 1996 Swift Justice: Tony Accardo (1 episode)
- 1996-97 New York Undercover: Ray Tarrafino/Bates (2 episodes)
- 1997 Cosby: Dorothy’s Husband (1 episode)
- 2000 NYPD Blue: Dino “The Rat” Ferrera (2 episodes)
- 2004-07 The Sopranos: Phil Leotardo (30 episodes)
- 2008 Stargate Atlantis: Poker Player #1 (1 episode)
- 2014-16 Mr. Pickles: Jon Gabagooli (2 episodes)
- 2016 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Bishop Cattalano (1 episode)
- 2017 Neo Yokio: Uncle Albert (1 episode)
Video Games
- 2001 Grand Theft Auto III: Salvatore Leone
- Reprised role in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2007).
