Joe Pantoliano

Joseph Peter Pantoliano, born on September 12, 1951, is an American actor renowned for his versatility across film, television, and theater, having amassed over 150 roles throughout his career. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Ralph "Ralphie" Cifaretto in the acclaimed HBO crime drama series The Sopranos, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, Pantoliano is well-known for his role as Cypher in the sci-fi action film The Matrix.


Pantoliano's career began with early roles in the television series MAS*H and the comedy film Risky Business. He garnered further acclaim for his supporting roles in various films and television shows, including Hill Street Blues, The Goonies, La Bamba, Empire of the Sun, Midnight Run, NYPD Blue, Memento, and the Bad Boys film series. He also appeared in The Fugitive and its spin-off, U.S. Marshals. Pantoliano collaborated with the Wachowskis on multiple occasions, starting with their directorial debut Bound and continuing with The Matrix and the sci-fi series Sense8.
In addition to his acting career, Pantoliano is an author, having published two memoirs. He is actively involved in mental health advocacy, drawing from his personal experiences with his mother's struggles and his own. He founded the nonprofit organization No Kidding, Me Too!, which aims to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness.


Joseph Peter Pantoliano, born on September 12, 1951, hails from Hoboken, New Jersey, where he was raised by his Italian-American parents, Mary (née Centrella) and Dominic "Monk" Pantoliano. His mother worked as a bookmaker and seamstress, while his father held roles as a hearse driver and factory foreman. The family later relocated to Cliffside Park, New Jersey, where Pantoliano attended Cliffside Park High School.
Pantoliano pursued his passion for acting by attending the HB Studio, where he received extensive training under the guidance of renowned actors Herbert Berghof and John Lehne. His dedication to his craft during his formative years laid the foundation for his successful career in film, television, and theater.

Joseph Pantoliano, known affectionately as "Joey Pants," rose to prominence with memorable roles in various films and television series. He first gained attention as "Guido the Killer Pimp" in the 1983 hit film Risky Business, followed by his villainous portrayal of Francis Fratelli in the beloved 1985 teen adventure The Goonies. However, it was his role as the duplicitous Cypher in the groundbreaking 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix that solidified his status as a versatile actor.
Pantoliano's career boasts an array of notable roles, including his Emmy-winning portrayal of Ralph Cifaretto in HBO's The Sopranos. He's also recognized for his performances as Eddie Moscone in the comedy Midnight Run, Captain Conrad Howard in the Bad Boys film series, and the double-crossed mafioso Caesar in Bound. His role as John "Teddy" Gammell in Memento and investigative journalist Ben Urich in Daredevil further showcased his range.


On Broadway, Pantoliano stepped into the role of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune in 2003, replacing Stanley Tucci. He's also demonstrated his versatility in family-friendly fare, starring as the eccentric pawnbroker Oswald Oswald in the film adaptation of Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life.
In 2013, Pantoliano was set to portray Yogi Berra in the Broadway production of Bronx Bombers but withdrew during rehearsals due to creative differences. From 2015 to 2018, he captivated audiences as Michael Gorski in the Wachowskis' Netflix series Sense8, showcasing his enduring talent across various platforms.


Joseph Pantoliano has navigated both triumphs and challenges throughout his life and career. In his personal life, he has experienced the complexities of relationships, being married twice and raising four children with his second wife, Nancy Sheppard. Despite his success, Pantoliano has grappled with mental health issues, including clinical depression and dyslexia, which he openly discusses to help destigmatize mental illness.
During his time on The Sopranos, Pantoliano found it challenging to maintain anonymity in his home state of New Jersey, resorting to wearing a wig inspired by filmmaker Christopher Nolan's hairstyle to avoid public recognition. This creative solution later became a subplot in an episode of the show.


Pantoliano's struggles with mental health culminated in his decision to speak out about his experiences and found the nonprofit organization No Kidding, Me Too!, dedicated to raising awareness about mental illness in the entertainment industry and beyond. He furthered this mission through his documentary No Kidding! Me 2!!, which he directed, wrote, and starred in.
In addition to his advocacy work, Pantoliano has chronicled his journey in two memoirs, delving into his battles with addiction and his relationship with his mother. Despite facing setbacks, including a serious accident in 2020, Pantoliano continues to demonstrate resilience and a commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues.

References

1.  Ebert, Roger (October 11, 2007). "The serious side of Joey Pants". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020. Consider Joe Pantoliano. Famous for 'The Sopranos,' established as a character actor playing gangster and comic types, known by everyone, including himself, as 'Joey Pants'
2. ^ Malkin, Marc (October 5, 2018). "Joe Morton, Jessica Walter, Joe Pantoliano to Be Honored at Carney Awards". variety.com. Variety Media LLC. Retrieved April 12, 2020. Joe Pantoliano...will be honored at this year's Carney Awards. Named in honor of the late Art Carney, the Carney Awards were launched ... to celebrate Hollywood's leading character actors.
3. ^ "A Tough Guy Battles Back- Joe Pantoliano". ibpf.org. International Bipolar Foundation. October 14, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2020. Inspired by his role in Canvas, Pantoliano created No Kidding, Me Too!, a nonprofit dedicated to removing the stigma associated with mental illness.
4. ^ Lee Hirsch; Cynthia Lowen (September 25, 2012). Bully: An Action Plan for Teachers, Parents, and Communities to Combat the Bullying Crisis. Hachette Books. pp. 157–. ISBN 978-1-60286-185-5.
5. ^ Joe Pantoliano Biography, filmreference.com; accessed June 21, 2017.
6. ^ "SMOKE 09/02 – Joe Pantoliano in the Hot Seat". www.smokemag.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008.
7. ^ Who's Sorry Now: The True Story of a Stand-Up Guy Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Entertainment Weekly, October 4, 2002