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.
2020
as Self (archive footage)
2016
as Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
2007
as Self (archive footage)
2007
as Self (archive footage)
2001
as (archive footage)
2000
as Self
1995
as Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
1989
as Hansen
1988
as Uncle Roscoe
1988
as Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
1988
as Tony Larosa
1988
as Brig. Gen. George Delevane
1987
as Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
1987
as Eddie
1986
as Joey, New York Goon #1
1986
as Rico
1986
as Mr. Robbie
1986
as Max Caldwell
1986
as Guido Antonucci
1986
as Street Vendor
1985
as Jim Halsey
1985
as Mob Boss
1985
as Brusstar
1983
as Escobar
1983
as Angelo
1983
as Pete
1983
as Border Patrolman
1983
as Mayfield
1982
as Joe Spangler
1982
as Bride's Father
1982
as Vinny Durand
1982
as Manetti
1982
as Eisenberg
1982
as Masked witness (uncredited)
1982
as Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
1981
as Door Guard
1981
as William "Willie" Cicci
1981
as Lt. Munafo
1980
as Charles Lipsky
1980
as Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
1980
as Yancey
1980
as Floyd Birdwell
1980
as Michael Vincent
1980
as Frank Zito
1980
as Drunken Sailor
1980
as Lt. Spinell
1980
as Patrolman DiSimone
1979
as Capt. Desher
1979
as Tony Gazzo
1979
as Arthur Fletcher
1979
as Man in Cantina
1978
as Count Zartharn
1978
as Mike Abatino
1978
as Burp
1978
as Psychologist
1978
as Angelo
1977
as William "Willie" Cicci
1977
as Spider
1976
as Tony Gazzo
1976
as Jabo
1976
as Personnel Officer
1976
as Cop
1975
as Bill
1975
as Ollie Slatt
1975
as Nick
1975
as Sol Terranova
1975
as Mr. Colson
1974
as William 'Willie' Cicci
1973
as Toredano
1973
as Marty
1972
as Willi Cicci (uncredited)