Joe Spinell
Known for Acting · 71 credits
- Born
- 1936-10-28
- Died
- 1989-01-13
- Place of birth
- Manhattan, New York
- Also known as
- Joseph J. Spagnuolo · Joseph Spagnuolo
Biography
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.
Known For
TV Shows (2)
Movies (69)
The Godfather
1972
as Willi Cicci (uncredited)
The Godfather Part II
1974
as William 'Willie' Cicci
Taxi Driver
1976
as Personnel Officer
Rocky
1976
as Tony Gazzo
Rocky II
1979
as Tony Gazzo
Sorcerer
1977
as Spider
Cruising
1980
as Patrolman DiSimone
Night Shift
1982
as Manetti
The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959
2016
as William "Willie" Cicci
Losin' It
1983
as Border Patrolman
Brubaker
1980
as Birdwell
Stay Hungry
1976
as Jabo
Married to the Mob
1988
as Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
Farewell, My Lovely
1975
as Nick
Paradise Alley
1978
as Burp
Nighthawks
1981
as Lt. Munafo
Maniac
1980
as Frank Zito
Winter Kills
1979
as Arthur Fletcher
The Seven-Ups
1973
as Toredano
The Pick-up Artist
1987
as Eddie
Starcrash
1978
as Count Zartharn
Big Wednesday
1978
as Psychologist
Deadly Illusion
1987
as Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
The Ninth Configuration
1980
as Lt. Spinell
Eureka
1983
as Pete
Last Embrace
1979
as Man in Cantina
The Last Horror Film
1982
as Vinny Durand
Forbidden Zone
1982
as Drunken Sailor
Nightside
1980
as Michael Vincent
National Lampoon's Movie Madness
1982
as Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
2020
as Self (archive footage)
Next Stop, Greenwich Village
1976
as Cop
Exorcising 'Cruising'
2007
as Self (archive footage)
Rancho Deluxe
1975
as Mr. Colson
Vampire
1979
as Capt. Desher
The First Deadly Sin
1980
as Charles Lipsky
Vigilante
1983
as Eisenberg
Monsignor
1982
as Bride's Father
Melvin and Howard
1980
as Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
The Undertaker
1988
as Uncle Roscoe
Out of the Darkness
1985
as Jim Halsey
The Whoopee Boys
1986
as Guido Antonucci
A Question of Honor
1982
as Masked witness (uncredited)
The History of 'Cruising'
2007
as Self (archive footage)
The Last Fight
1983
as Angelo
The Children of Times Square
1986
as Street Vendor
Strike Force
1975
as Sol Terranova
Nunzio
1978
as Angelo
FantastiCozzi
2016
as Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer
1983
as Escobar
92 in the Shade
1975
as Ollie Slatt
Cops and Robbers
1973
as Marty
Thriller Zone
1995
as Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
The American Nightmare
2000
as Self
Walking the Edge
1985
as Brusstar
Operation Warzone
1988
as Brig. Gen. George Delevane
The Little Dragons
1980
as Yancey
One Down, Two to Go
1982
as Joe Spangler
The Joe Spinell Story
2001
as (archive footage)
The One Man Jury
1978
as Mike Abatino
The Messenger
1986
as Rico
The Big Score
1983
as Mayfield
Blood Ties
1986
as Joey, New York Goon #1
The Ransom of Red Chief
1975
as Bill
Hollywood Harry
1986
as Max Caldwell
Rapid Fire
1989
as Hansen
Maniac II: Mr. Robbie
1986
as Mr. Robbie
K.O. Kippers
1988
as Tony Larosa
Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter
1981
as Door Guard
About Joe Spinell
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 old… With 71 credits spanning from 1972 to 2020, Joe Spinell has appeared in 69 films and 2 TV shows.
Fans searching for Joe Spinell movies, Joe Spinell filmography, or the latest projects starring Joe Spinell can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Joe Spinell Movies
- The Godfather (1972) — as Willi Cicci (uncredited)
- The Godfather Part II (1974) — as William 'Willie' Cicci
- Taxi Driver (1976) — as Personnel Officer
- Rocky (1976) — as Tony Gazzo
- Rocky II (1979) — as Tony Gazzo
Where to Watch Joe Spinell Films
Most Joe Spinell movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Joe Spinell, check our movies catalogue and browse page.