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Born · October 28, 1936
Died · January 13, 1989 (52 years old)
Known For: Acting
Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York
Joe Spinell was born Joseph J. Spagnuolo in Manhattan, New York of Italian immigrant parents, and the last of six children. His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo (b. 1892, d. 1950), died from liver and kidney disease. His mother Filomena Spagnuolo (b. 1903, d. 1987) was a bit-part actress who acted in a few movies, some of them alongside her son. Spinell stood 5 foot and 11 inches. He was born at his family's apartment in Manhattan's Little Italy on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. A few years after the death of his father, he moved with his mother and older siblings to Woodside, Queens, New York where he lived off-and-on for the remainder of his life. Spinell suffered most of his life from hemophilia as well as chronic asthma. Because of his large, heavyset frame and imposing looks, Spinell was often cast as criminals, thugs, or corrupt police officers. His most notable roles were as mafioso Willi Cicci in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and as loan shark Tony Gazzo in Rocky and Rocky II. Although primarily known as a character actor, Spinell co-wrote and starred as a serial killer in the 1980 film, Maniac. Joe Spinell died in his apartment on January 13, 1989 at the age of 52. The cause of his untimely death is arguable to this day. Some say that his death was caused by sudden heart attack due to heavy drug use, drinking and emotional distress in light of his mother passing away two years earlier. It is also speculated that he may have died from asthma complications, or bled to death from hemophilia related causes. He was planning a sequel to Maniac before his death. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Queens near his home. He is the distant cousin of the American football team St. Louis Ram's Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. Spinell was married to adult film star Jean Jennings from February 1977 to July 1979. Together they had one daughter, but they eventually divorced.
Self (archive footage)
7.7
2020
Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
6.0
2016
Self (archive footage)
6.5
2007
Self (archive footage)
6.5
2007
(archive footage)
5.7
2001
Self
6.9
2000
Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
5.5
1995
Hansen
3.8
1989
Uncle Roscoe
5.6
1988
Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
5.9
1988
Tony Larosa
8.0
1988
Brig. Gen. George Delevane
2.0
1988
Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
5.6
1987
Eddie
5.6
1987
Joey, New York Goon #1
5.8
1986
Rico
5.2
1986
Mr. Robbie
5.9
1986
Max Caldwell
2.3
1986
Guido Antonucci
4.8
1986
Street Vendor
6.0
1986
Jim Halsey
7.1
1985
Mob Boss · (1 episode)
7.1
1985
Brusstar
5.6
1985
Escobar
0.0
1983
Angelo
4.4
1983
Pete
5.2
1983
Border Patrolman
5.0
1983
Mayfield
5.0
1983
Joe Spangler
4.5
1982
Bride's Father
4.4
1982
Vinny Durand
5.2
1982
Manetti
6.0
1982
Eisenberg
6.3
1982
Masked witness (uncredited)
7.0
1982
Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
3.2
1982
Door Guard
0.0
1981
William "Willie" Cicci
9.3
1981
Lt. Munafo
6.4
1981
Charles Lipsky
5.8
1980
Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
6.4
1980
Yancey
4.7
1980
Floyd Birdwell
7.1
1980
Michael Vincent
0.0
1980
Frank Zito
6.5
1980
Drunken Sailor
6.3
1980
Lt. Spinell
6.5
1980
Patrolman DiSimone
6.6
1980
Capt. Desher
5.7
1979
Tony Gazzo
7.3
1979
Arthur Fletcher
5.8
1979
Man in Cantina
5.5
1979
Count Zartharn
4.2
1978
Mike Abatino
5.4
1978
Burp
5.8
1978
Psychologist
6.9
1978
Angelo
4.8
1978
William "Willie" Cicci · (4 episodes)
8.5
1977
Spider
7.4
1977
Tony Gazzo
7.8
1976
Jabo
5.7
1976
Personnel Officer
8.1
1976
Cop
6.4
1976
Bill
0.0
1975
Ollie Slatt
5.4
1975
Nick
6.6
1975
Sol Terranova
6.5
1975
Mr. Colson
5.4
1975
William 'Willie' Cicci
8.6
1974
Toredano
6.3
1973
Marty
6.2
1973
Willi Cicci (uncredited)
8.7
1972