Actor
Danny Aiello
Born 20 June 1933 · Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA — died 12 December 2019
Danny Aiello (1933–2019) was an American actor from New York City, best known for tough, working-class Italian-American characters. His role as pizzeria owner Sal in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing brought him an Oscar nomination. He worked steadily across five decades in crime dramas, comedies and Woody Allen films.
Key films
The Godfather Part II (1974)
An early major film role in one of the most acclaimed American films ever made.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Supporting turn in Sergio Leone's epic gangster saga, showing his strength in crime drama.
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Played a role in Woody Allen's acclaimed fantasy comedy, one of several collaborations with Allen.
Moonstruck (1987)
Featured in the hit romantic comedy that won several Academy Awards.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
His signature role as pizzeria owner Sal in Spike Lee's landmark film, earning an Oscar nomination.
Key awards
- 1990 Academy Award nomination, Best Supporting Actor (Do the Right Thing)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 90
- 1973Bang the Drum Slowly · as HorseActor
- 1973The Godmothers · as (uncredited)Actor
- 1974The Godfather Part II · as Tony RosatoActor
- 1976The Front · as Danny LaGattutaActor
- 1977Hooch · as TonyActor
- 1978Fingers · as ButchActor
- 1978Bloodbrothers · as ArtieActor
- 1978Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part II · as Bernie SerinoActor
- 1978The Last Tenant · as CarlActor
- 1980Defiance · as CarmineActor
- 1980Hide in Plain Sight · as Sal CarvelloActor
- 1981Fort Apache, the Bronx · as MorganActor
- 1981Chu Chu and the Philly Flash · as JohnsonActor
- 1982A Question of Honor · as MartelliActor
- 1982Gemini · as Fran GeminianiActor
- 1983Blood Feud · as Randy PowersActor
- 1984Once Upon a Time in America · as Police Chief AielloActor
- 1984Old Enough · as Mr. BrucknerActor
- 1984Deathmask · as Capt. Mike GrassoActor
- 1985The Purple Rose of Cairo · as MonkActor
- 1985The Stuff · as VickersActor
- 1985The Protector · as Danny GaroniActor
- 1985Key Exchange · as CarabelloActor
- 1987Moonstruck · as Mr. Johnny CammareriActor
- 1987Radio Days · as RoccoActor
- 1987The Pick-up Artist · as Phil HarperActor
- 1987Man on Fire · as ContiActor
- 1987Daddy · as Coach JacobsActor
- 1987The Hustler of Money · as Master of CeremoniesActor
- 1988Alone in the Neon Jungle · as ChiefActor
- 1988The Third Solution · as George ShermanActor
- 1989Do the Right Thing · as SalActor
- 1989Harlem Nights · as Phil CantoneActor
- 1989The January Man · as Captain Vincent AlcoaActor
- 1989The Preppie Murder · as Mike SheehanActor
- 1989Making 'Do the Right Thing' · as SelfActor
- 1989White Hot · as Charlie BuickActor
- 1989Shocktroop · as John CunninghamActor
- 1990Jacob's Ladder · as LouisActor
- 1990Madonna: The Immaculate Collection · as Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")Actor
- 1990The Closer · as Chester GrantActor
- 1990Building 'Jacob's Ladder' · as SelfActor
- 1990Night of 100 Stars III · as SelfActor
- 1990Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed · as SelfActor
- 1991Hudson Hawk · as Tommy Five-ToneActor
- 1991Once Around · as Joe BellaActor
- 199129th Street · as Frank Pesce Sr.Actor
- 1991Rabbit Ears - Pinocchio · as Narrator (voice)Actor
- 1992Mistress · as Carmine RassoActor
- 1992Ruby · as Jack RubyActor
- 1993The Pickle · as Harry StoneActor
- 1993The Cemetery Club · as Ben KatzActor
- 1993Me and the Kid · as HarryActor
- 1994Léon: The Professional · as Old TonyActor
- 1994Prêt-à-Porter · as Major HamiltonActor
- 1995Two Much · as GeneActor
- 1995Lieberman in Love · as Joe LiebermanActor
- 1995Power of Attorney · as Joseph ScassiActor
- 1995Brothers' Destiny · as DukeActor
- 1996City Hall · as Frank AnselmoActor
- 19962 Days in the Valley · as Dosmo PizzoActor
- 1996Mojave Moon · as AlActor
- 1997Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis · as Mr. RathboneActor
- 1997Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years After Willowbrook · as NarratorActor
- 1998Wilbur Falls · as Philip DevereauxActor
- 1998A Brooklyn State of Mind · as Danny ParenteActor
- 199918 Shades of Dust · as Vincent DianniActor
- 2000Dinner Rush · as Louis CropaActor
- 2000Prince of Central Park · as Noah CairnActor
- 2000Mambo Café · as JoeyActor
- 2001Off Key · as Fabrizio BeniniActor
- 2003Mail Order Bride · as Tony SantiniActor
- 2004Zeyda and the Hitman · as NathanActor
- 2005Brooklyn Lobster · as Frank GiorgioActor
- 2006Lucky Number Slevin · as RothActor
- 2006The Last Request · as PopActor
- 2006Moonstruck: At the Heart of an Italian Family · as SelfActor
- 2009Madonna: Celebration - The Video Collection · as Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")Actor
- 2010Mulberry St. · as SelfActor
- 2010Stiffs · as Frank TramontanaActor
- 2014Reach Me · as Father PaulActor
- 2014Henry & Me · as Dr. Acosta (voice)Actor
- 2014Do The Right Thing 25 Year Anniversary A Beats Music Experience · as selfActor
- 2017The Neighborhood · as Joseph DonatelloActor
- 2018Little Italy · as CarloActor
- 2019The Last Big Save · as Louis BrownActor
- 2019Making a Deal with the Devil · as MarioActor
- 2021Stallone: Frank, That Is · as SelfActor
- 2021One Moment · as Joe McGuinnessActor
- 2026Once Upon a Time in JerseyActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.