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Joe Spinell (1936–1989)


Joseph J. Spagnuolo was born on October 28, 1936 in Manhattan, New York City at his family's apartment on 2nd Avenue. Spinell was a tough guy on and off screen all his life. During his teen years, while still in high school, he acted in various plays on the New York stage, on and off Broadway, eventually earning a place in Joe Papp's Shakespeare ... See full bio »

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Known For

Rocky
Rocky Gazzo
(1976)
The Godfather: Part II
(1974)
Rocky II
Rocky II Gazzo
(1979)
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver Personnel Officer
(1976)

Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Actor (64 credits)
 1989 Dream Street (TV Series)
- Pilot (1989)
 1989 Rapid Fire
Hansen
 1988 The Undertaker
Roscoe
 1988 Married to the Mob
Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
 1988 Operation Warzone
Brig. Gen. George Delevane (as Joe Spinnell)
 1987 Deadly Illusion
Crazy Man in Gun Bureau (as Joe Spinnel)
 1986-1987 Night Heat (TV Series)
Tommy Angel / Carlucci / Joseph 'Uncle Joe' Latimer
- Tonight's News (1987) ... Tommy Angel
- Comeback (1987) ... Carlucci
- Brotherhood (1986) ... Joseph 'Uncle Joe' Latimer
 1987 Diamonds (TV Series)
- Poison Pill (1987)
 1987 The Pick-up Artist
Eddie
 1986 The Messenger
Rico
 1986 Hollywood Harry
Max Caldwell
 1986 Il cugino americano (TV Movie)
Joey, New York Goon #1
 1986 The Whoopee Boys
Guido Antonucci
 1986 The Children of Times Square (TV Movie)
Street Vendor
 1986 The Equalizer (TV Series)
Mob Boss
- Wash-Up (1986) ... Mob Boss
 1985 Out of the Darkness (TV Movie)
Jim Halsey
 1985 Walking the Edge
Brusstar
 1983 The Big Score
Mayfield
 1983 Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (TV Movie)
Escobar - Doorman
 1983 The Last Fight
Angelo
 1983 Eureka
Pete
 1983 Losin' It
Border Patrolman
 1983 Vigilante
Eisenberg
 1982 One Down, Two to go
Joe Spangler
 1982 Monsignor
Bride's Father
 1982 The Last Horror Film
Vinny
 1982 Night Shift
Manetti
 1982 A Question of Honor (TV Movie)
Masked witness (uncredited)
 1982 Movie Madness
Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
 1981 CBS Afternoon Playhouse (TV Series)
Door Guard
- Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter (1981) ... Door Guard
 1981 Nighthawks
Lt. Munafo
 1980 The First Deadly Sin
Charles Lipsky
 1980 Melvin and Howard
Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
 1980 Nightside (TV Movie)
Michael Vincent
 1980 The Ninth Configuration
Lt. Spinell
 1980 Cruising
Patrolman DiSimone
 1979 Vampire (TV Movie)
Captain Desher
 1979 The Little Dragons
Yancey
 1979 Rocky II
Gazzo
 1979 Winter Kills
Arthur Fletcher
 1979 Last Embrace
Man in Cantina
 1978 Starcrash
Count Zarth Arn
 1978 The One Man Jury
Mike Abatino
 1978 Paradise Alley
Burp
 1978 Nunzio
Angelo
 1978 Big Wednesday
Psychologist
 1977 Sorcerer
Spider
 1976 Rocky
Gazzo
 1976 Stay Hungry
Jabo
 1976 Next Stop, Greenwich Village
Cop at El Station (as Joe Spinnell)
 1975 92 in the Shade
Ollie Slatt
 1975 Farewell, My Lovely
Nick
 1975 Strike Force (TV Movie)
Sol Terranova
 1975 Rancho Deluxe
Mr. Colson (as Joseph Spinell)
 1973 The Seven-Ups
Toredano
 1973 Cops and Robbers
Marty
 1972 The Godfather
Willi Cicci (uncredited)
Show Show Writer (3 credits)
Show Show Producer (2 credits)
Show Show Miscellaneous Crew (1 credit)
Show Show Thanks (3 credits)
Show Show Self (1 credit)
Show Show Archive footage (9 credits)

Related Videos

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Radio interview for the horror film Maniac (1980) with William Lustig and Caroline Munro.

Publicity Listings:

1 Biographical Movie | 1 Interview | 1 Article | See more »

Alternate Names:

Joe 'Maniac' Spinell | Joseph Spinell | Joe Spinnel | Joe Spinnell

Height:

5' 11" (1.8 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on Maniac (1980)] If you don't like horror films, don't come and see it. See more »

Trivia:

His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo (1892-1950), died from liver and kidney disease. See more »

Trademark:

Usually played tough, scary and sleazy New York City scoundrels

Star Sign:

Scorpio

Message Boards

Recent Posts
How he died stringem
What would Gazzo had done in more Rocky sequels? j-taylor-goddard
Looking for anyone who was related spagnuo
Godfather Part III kenneymljken
Anyone know what happened to his daughter? rachaela
Splash donluzman2
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