Danny Aiello
Danny Aiello
Daniel Louis "Danny" Aiello, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared in numerous motion pictures, including The Godfather: Part II, The Front, Once Upon a Time in America, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Moonstruck, Hudson Hawk, Ruby, Léon: The Professional, 2 Days in the Valley, Dinner Rushand Lucky Number Slevin. He had a pivotal role in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thingas Salvatore "Sal" Frangione, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Aiello...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth20 June 1933
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
People call me an instinctive actor. I used to consider that an insult early on, only because I had never studied. Now... I love it.
I fell in love with the most beautiful girl in the Bronx.
When I saw the script, ... I called them that night. I liked it that much. I love this character, I think he's loaded with love. This is a blustering kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. He tells the truth and that's why I love him.
Like most people, I would sing in the privacy of my home. I'd also sing for my daughters or at a guest at somebody's function. I loved doing it.
I know it's silly to say it, but I love 29th Street and I love Jack Ruby. Moonstruck I liked, but my character was troublesome to me.
My father was never around. It was almost as if he didn't exist. I would tell my friends he was in Cleveland, on business. Sometimes, every six months or so, he would come by for dinner.
My father never saw me play ball, and I was an outstanding ballplayer. I missed all that adoration.
If I stunk for some reason, you can always blame it on the character.
I was just so blatantly shy throughout my life.
I used to make up stories about my father. I would go to the movies and look for a character who looked like my father.
I have sons, and they have never said the word hell in front of me or my wife. That's the truth.
I don't know anyone who curses the way they do on the Sopranos. Not in an Italian household. I never said the word hell in front of my mother.
At some point in my life, before I was gone, I wanted to make an album, even if it was for no reason other than posterity.
People have an image of Italians. When I go somewhere in the world, I don't care where it is, when they look at me it's not about my intelligence. It's who can I beat up.