Joe Spinell
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Film
The Godfather
Willi Cicci (uncredited)
1972
Film
The Godfather Part II
William 'Willie' Cicci
1974
Series
The Equalizer
Mob Boss
1985
Film
Taxi Driver
Personnel Officer
1976
Film
Rocky
Tony Gazzo
1976
Film
Rocky II
Tony Gazzo
1979
Series
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television
William "Willie" Cicci
1977
Film
Cruising
Patrolman DiSimone
1980
Film
Sorcerer
Spider
1977
Film
Brubaker
Birdwell
1980
Film
Farewell, My Lovely
Nick
1975
Film
Paradise Alley
Burp
1978
Film
Married to the Mob
Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
1988
Film
Nighthawks
Lt. Munafo
1981
Film
Big Wednesday
Psychologist
1978
Film
Night Shift
Manetti
1982
Film
Eureka
Pete
1983
Film
Vigilante
Eisenberg
1983
Film
Losin' It
Border Patrolman
1983
Film
The Pick-up Artist
Eddie
1987
Film
The Seven-Ups
Toredano
1973
Film
Maniac
Frank Zito
1980
Film
The Ninth Configuration
Lt. Spinell
1980
Film
Stay Hungry
Jabo
1976
Film
Starcrash
Count Zartharn
1978
Film
Last Embrace
Man in Cantina
1979
Film
Winter Kills
Arthur Fletcher
1979
Film
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980
Will Cicci
1992
Film
Melvin and Howard
Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
1980
Film
The First Deadly Sin
Charles Lipsky
1980
Film
National Lampoon's Movie Madness
Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
1982
Film
The Whoopee Boys
Guido Antonucci
1986
Film
Forbidden Zone
Drunken Sailor
1982
Film
The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959
William "Willie" Cicci
2016
Film
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
Self (archive footage)
2020
Film
Next Stop, Greenwich Village
Cop
1976
Film
The Last Fight
Angelo
1983
Film
FantastiCozzi
Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
2016
Film
Cops and Robbers
Marty
1973
Film
Rancho Deluxe
Mr. Colson
1975
Film
The Last Horror Film
Vinny Durand
1982
Film
The American Nightmare
Self
2000
Film
The Undertaker
Uncle Roscoe
1988
Film
Monsignor
Bride's Father
1982
Film
The Children of Times Square
Street Vendor
1986
Film
Strike Force
Sol Terranova
1975
Film
The Messenger
Rico
1986
Film
The Big Score
Mayfield
1983
Film
Thriller Zone
Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
1995
Film
92 in the Shade
Ollie Slatt
1975
Film
Hollywood Harry
Max Caldwell
1986
Film
Walking the Edge
Brusstar
1985
Film
The Joe Spinell Story
(archive footage)
2001
Film
Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer
Escobar
1983
Film
A Question of Honor
Masked witness (uncredited)
1982
Film
Exorcising 'Cruising'
Self (archive footage)
2007
Film
Vampire
Capt. Desher
1979
Film
Rapid Fire
Hansen
1989
Film
Nunzio
Angelo
1978
Film
Deadly Illusion
Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
1987
Film
Nightside
Michael Vincent
1980
Film
The History of 'Cruising'
Self (archive footage)
2007
Film
Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter
Door Guard
1981
Film
Out of the Darkness
Jim Halsey
1985
Film
Maniac II: Mr. Robbie
Mr. Robbie
1986
Film
The One Man Jury
Mike Abatino
1978
Film
The Little Dragons
Yancey
1980
Film
Operation Warzone
Brig. Gen. George Delevane
1988
Film
One Down, Two to Go
Joe Spangler
1982
Film
Blood Ties
Joey, New York Goon #1
1986
Film
The Ransom of Red Chief
Bill
1975
K.O. Kippers
Tony Larosa
1988