Joe Spinell

Joe Spinell

Born: October 28, 1936
Died: January 13, 1989
in Manhattan, New York
​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.

Movies for Joe Spinell...

40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
Title: 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: June 9, 2020
Type: Movie
Sylvester Stallone and John G. Avildsen narrate behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "Rocky" to mark the film's 40th anniversary.
bee
FantastiCozzi
Title: FantastiCozzi
Character: Count Zarth Arn (archive footage)
Released: May 21, 2016
Type: Movie
A feature-length documentary about the life and career of Italian director Luigi Cozzi and his obsession with Science Fiction and Fantasy.
bee
Exorcising 'Cruising'
Title: Exorcising 'Cruising'
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: September 18, 2007
Type: Movie
Part two of the making of William Friedkin's 1980 thriller "Cruising" and the controversies it created.
bee
The History of 'Cruising'
Title: The History of 'Cruising'
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: September 18, 2007
Type: Movie
Part one of the making of William Friedkin’s 1980 thriller "Cruising" and the controversies it created.
bee
The Joe Spinell Story
Title: The Joe Spinell Story
Character: (archive footage)
Released: August 21, 2001
Type: Movie
The Joe Spinell Story is a An outstanding and eye-opening documentary, made in 2001 for the Anchor Bay DVD release of Maniac (1980). 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.
bee
The American Nightmare
Title: The American Nightmare
Character: Self
Released: September 11, 2000
Type: Movie
An examination into the nature of 1960's-70's horror films, the involved artists, and how they reflected contemporary society.
bee
Thriller Zone
Title: Thriller Zone
Character: Vinny Durand (segment "Fanatical Extremes") (archive footage)
Released: January 1, 1995
Type: Movie
There are three unrelated, unconnected segments in this horror anthology. In the first segment, "The Last Hand," a man is shot, while another man has a heart attack. The latter man (Morty) survives, and goes to his regular poker game, but the man who was shot shows up looking well, if sinister. Morty had a hand in his death, it seems, and Morty grows increasingly agitated, and starts hallucinating. In the second segment,"The Final Hour," a convicted murderer in the year 2213 is being transported to a trial for his appeal and forms a relationship with the ship's pilot. The last segment, "Fanatical Extreme," is a condensed version of the feature film The Last Horror Film (1982), in which taxi driver Joe Spinell tries to realize his fantasy of making a horror movie with his favorite star, but he's not exactly welcome.
bee
Rapid Fire
Title: Rapid Fire
Character: Hansen
Released: January 1, 1989
Type: Movie
Mike Thompson is a former U.S. government agent whom is called on by his no-nonsense ex-employer Hanson to stop a terrorist named Mustapha who breaks out of a maximum security military prison aboard a battleship with the help from his aide Eddy Williams a former agent-turned-mercenary armed with an unstoppable rapid-firing, multi-use machine gun whom the U.S. government wants back at any cost. Mike is forced to rely on his former partner-in-crime Pappy, and a CIA agent named Corle, to help him try to track down Eddy hoping to lead him to Mustapha before they can plan their next terrorist strike.
bee
The Undertaker
Title: The Undertaker
Character: Uncle Roscoe
Released: November 1, 1988
Type: Movie
A deranged undertaker kills various people to keep as his friends in his seedy funeral home.
bee
Married to the Mob
Title: Married to the Mob
Character: Leonard 'Tiptoes' Mazzilli
Released: August 19, 1988
Type: Movie
Angela de Marco is fed up with her gangster husband's line of work and wants no part of the crime world. When her husband is killed for having an affair with the mistress of mob boss Tony "The Tiger" Russo, Angela and her son depart for New York City to make a fresh start. Unfortunately, Tony has set his sights upon Angela -- and so has an undercover FBI agent looking to use her to bust Tony.
bee
K.O. Kippers
Title: K.O. Kippers
Character: Tony Larosa
Released: August 13, 1988
Type: Movie
The story of modern-day vaudevillians, the "Kipper Kids." Harry and Harry Kipper are "somewhere in South America" training for a boxing match staged by Tony LaRosa, a down-and-out scam artist who has promised to make the Kippers "champions of the entire world."
bee
Operation Warzone
Title: Operation Warzone
Character: Brig. Gen. George Delevane
Released: July 1, 1988
Type: Movie
A squad of U.S. troops seek out a mysterious agent hiding out in the jungles of 1960s Vietnam whom has classified documents that could win the war.
bee
Deadly Illusion
Title: Deadly Illusion
Character: Crazy Man in Gun Bureau
Released: October 16, 1987
Type: Movie
A private eye hired to kill a man's wife warns her instead and then finds both are impostors.
bee
The Pick-up Artist
Title: The Pick-up Artist
Character: Eddie
Released: September 18, 1987
Type: Movie
A womanizer meets his match when he falls for the daughter of a gambling addict who is in debt to the mob.
bee
Blood Ties
Title: Blood Ties
Character: Joey, New York Goon #1
Released: December 14, 1986
Type: Movie
An innocent American engineer is blackmailed by gangsters into a plot to assassinate his cousin, who is a judge in Sicily fighting the Mafia.
bee
The Messenger
Title: The Messenger
Character: Rico
Released: December 1, 1986
Type: Movie
When his girlfriend dies of a drug overdose, a former Green Beret decides to take vengeance on the drug gangs responsible for her death.
bee
Maniac II: Love to Kill
Title: Maniac II: Love to Kill
Character: Mr. Robbie
Released: November 1, 1986
Type: Movie
A children's television host solves all kids problems. Shot as a promo reel for a sequel to Maniac (1980) but was cut short due to the untimely death of actor Joe Spinell.
bee
Hollywood Harry
Title: Hollywood Harry
Character: Max Caldwell
Released: October 3, 1986
Type: Movie
Tongue-in-cheek account of a private eye hired to find a young porn actress.
bee
The Whoopee Boys
Title: The Whoopee Boys
Character: Guido Antonucci
Released: August 22, 1986
Type: Movie
Two New York hustlers (Michael O'Keefe, Paul Rodriguez) go to Palm Beach, Fla., and enroll in a charm school to please an heiress.
bee
The Children of Times Square
Title: The Children of Times Square
Character: Street Vendor
Released: March 3, 1986
Type: Movie
An alienated teenage boy runs away from home and ventures to New York City where he falls in with a gang of juvenile delinquents working as drug dealers and pickpockets for a shady crime boss.
bee
Out of the Darkness
Title: Out of the Darkness
Character: Jim Halsey
Released: October 12, 1985
Type: Movie
A gripping thriller telling the true story of the hunt and capture of David Berkowitz, a.k.a. "Son of Sam" — the infamous serial killer who stalked New York in the 70s.
bee
Walking the Edge
Title: Walking the Edge
Character: Brusstar
Released: January 11, 1985
Type: Movie
A Los Angeles taxi driver helps a distraught woman on the run from gangsters after they murder her husband and young son.
bee
Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer
Title: Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer
Character: Escobar
Released: October 15, 1983
Type: Movie
This made-for-TV sequel to the 1977 theatrical film "Looking For Mr. Goodbar" follows a New York City detective's quest to find the murderer of a schoolteacher.
bee
The Last Fight
Title: The Last Fight
Character: Angelo
Released: September 7, 1983
Type: Movie
Singer-turned-boxer Andy 'Kid' Clave signs a contract with a shady promoter Joaquin Vargas. But Clave turns against Vargas when the promoter's thugs kill Clave's girlfriend when he thinks about backing out of the contract. While seeking a way to get revenge against Vargas, Clave learns that he has a blood clot in his head. But nothing will deter him from getting his revenge and making a shot at the title.
bee
Eureka
Title: Eureka
Character: Pete
Released: May 1, 1983
Type: Movie
An Alaskan gold prospector lives in luxury with his family on an island which gangsters want.
bee
The Big Score
Title: The Big Score
Character: Mayfield
Released: March 17, 1983
Type: Movie
A narcotics detective, played by Fred Williamson, lets nothing stand in the way of his bringing down a major drug dealer. After a bust gone awry, he's accused of stealing a lost briefcase filled with money and both the mob and the police are looking for him. A ruthless hit man, played by Bruce Glover, will stop at nothing to get what his boss wants; the money!
bee
One Down, Two to Go
Title: One Down, Two to Go
Character: Joe Spangler
Released: November 19, 1982
Type: Movie
A pair of tough cops go after the mob who jinxed the martial arts tournament and injured their buddy.
bee
Monsignor
Title: Monsignor
Character: Bride's Father
Released: October 22, 1982
Type: Movie
The vows of an ambitious young American priest are tested during World War II. Not only does Father John Flaherty get involved with the black market to raise money for the Vatican, he also falls in love with a young French nun.
bee
Losin' It
Title: Losin' It
Character: Border Patrolman
Released: August 20, 1982
Type: Movie
In 1965, four Los Angeles school friends -- Woody, Dave, Spider and Wendell -- go on a series of misadventures when they head to Tijuana, Mexico, for a night of cruisin', causing trouble, and to lose their virginity.
bee
The Last Horror Film
Title: The Last Horror Film
Character: Vinny Durand
Released: August 12, 1982
Type: Movie
A New York taxi driver stalks a beautiful actress attending the Cannes Film Festival, which coincides with a series of violent killings of the lady's friends.
bee
Night Shift
Title: Night Shift
Character: Manetti
Released: July 30, 1982
Type: Movie
A nebbish of a morgue attendant gets shunted back to the night shift where he is shackled with an obnoxious neophyte partner who dreams of the "one great idea" for success. His life takes a bizarre turn when a prostitute neighbor complains about the loss of her pimp. His partner, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night.
bee
Vigilante
Title: Vigilante
Character: Eisenberg
Released: May 18, 1982
Type: Movie
New York City factory worker Eddie Marino is a solid citizen and regular guy, until the day a sadistic street gang brutally assaults his wife and murders his child. When a corrupt judge sets the thugs free, he goes berserk and vows revenge.
bee
A Question of Honor
Title: A Question of Honor
Character: Masked witness (uncredited)
Released: April 28, 1982
Type: Movie
Television account of an honest New York narcotics cop who becomes unwillingly involved in a plan to uncover corruption in his department.
bee
National Lampoon's Movie Madness
Title: National Lampoon's Movie Madness
Character: Agent / M.C. ("Success Wanters")
Released: April 23, 1982
Type: Movie
A parody of film genres composed of three shorts, spoofing personal growth films, glossy soap operas, and police stories.
bee
Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter
Title: Portrait of a Teenage Shoplifter
Character: Door Guard
Released: December 1, 1981
Type: Movie
Teenager becomes involved in the thrill of shoplifting with her friends, until she is inevitably caught in the act.
bee
The Godfather 1901–1959: The Complete Epic
Title: The Godfather 1901–1959: The Complete Epic
Character: William "Willie" Cicci
Released: March 24, 1981
Type: Movie
The Godfather 1901–1959: The Complete Epic is a reduced, 386-minute version of the 1977 television miniseries, "Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television," released to video in 1981. Unlike the miniseries, which was presented in four segments (each with opening and closing credits), the Epic is presented as a single segment. In January 2016, HBO aired the Epic in its uncut and uncensored format, later making it available on its streaming platforms. The HBO showing contained most of the known deleted scenes, thereby lengthening the runtime of the Epic from its video release to 423 minutes.
bee
Nighthawks
Title: Nighthawks
Character: Lt. Munafo
Released: March 17, 1981
Type: Movie
When one of Europe's most lethal terrorists shows up in New York, an elite undercover cop is assigned to take him down by any means necessary.
bee
The First Deadly Sin
Title: The First Deadly Sin
Character: Charles Lipsky
Released: October 3, 1980
Type: Movie
A serial killer is stalking New York. Inspector Edward X. Delaney is an NYPD detective, nearing retirement, who is trying to put together the pieces of the case. Are the victims somehow linked? What does the brutal method of death signify?
bee
Melvin and Howard
Title: Melvin and Howard
Character: Go-Go Club Owner #2 (uncredited)
Released: September 19, 1980
Type: Movie
The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.
bee
The Little Dragons
Title: The Little Dragons
Character: Yancey
Released: July 18, 1980
Type: Movie
Karate experts attempt to rescue a girl who was kidnapped by a mother and her two psycho sons.
bee
Brubaker
Title: Brubaker
Character: Floyd Birdwell
Released: June 20, 1980
Type: Movie
The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.
bee
Nightside
Title: Nightside
Character: Michael Vincent
Released: June 8, 1980
Type: Movie
Danny Dandoy is a good-humored, streetwise cop working the dusk-to-dawn shift in Los Angeles with his somewhat naive new partner, Macey, in this proposed pilot for a new TV series.
bee
Maniac
Title: Maniac
Character: Frank Zito
Released: May 10, 1980
Type: Movie
A psychotic man, troubled by his childhood abuse, loose in NYC, kills young women and local girl American models and takes their scalps as trophies.
bee
Forbidden Zone
Title: Forbidden Zone
Character: Drunken Sailor
Released: March 15, 1980
Type: Movie
A mysterious door in the basement of the Hercules house leads to the Sixth Dimension by way of a gigantic set of intestine. When Frenchy slips through the door, King Fausto falls in love with her. The jealous Queen Doris takes Frenchy prisoner, and it is up to the Hercules family and friend Squeezit Henderson to rescue her.
bee
The Ninth Configuration
Title: The Ninth Configuration
Character: Lt. Spinell
Released: February 29, 1980
Type: Movie
Army psychiatrist Colonel Kane is posted to a secluded gothic castle housing a military asylum. With a reserved calm, he indulges the inmates' delusions, allowing them free rein to express their fantasies.
bee
Cruising
Title: Cruising
Character: Patrolman DiSimone
Released: February 15, 1980
Type: Movie
When New York is caught in the grip of a sadistic serial killer who preys on patrons of the city's underground bars, young rookie Steve Burns infiltrates the S&M subculture to try and lure him out of the shadows.
bee
Vampire
Title: Vampire
Character: Capt. Desher
Released: October 7, 1979
Type: Movie
Vampire Anton Voytek's lair is disturbed by the ground breaking for a new church. Anton attempts to start a modern life using his hoarded wealth, but finds it's been confiscated by the authorities. He takes revenge on the architect responsible, who in turn, aided by a retired detective, tries to hunt down and destroy Anton.
bee
Rocky II
Title: Rocky II
Character: Tony Gazzo
Released: June 15, 1979
Type: Movie
After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.
bee
Winter Kills
Title: Winter Kills
Character: Arthur Fletcher
Released: May 11, 1979
Type: Movie
The younger brother of an assassinated US President is led down a rabbit hole of conspiracies and dead ends after learning of a man claiming to be the real shooter.
bee
Last Embrace
Title: Last Embrace
Character: Man in Cantina
Released: May 4, 1979
Type: Movie
Secret agent Harry Hannan suffers a mental breakdown when a botched mission in Mexico results in the death of his wife. He is sent to a mental asylum, after which he eventually returns to work. But, once again, he begins to doubt his sanity when he receives a bizarre death threat written in Hebrew. Not knowing which of his colleagues wants to kill him, Hannan teams up with pretty young college student Ellie Fabian to attempt to unravel the mystery.
bee
Starcrash
Title: Starcrash
Character: Count Zartharn
Released: December 21, 1978
Type: Movie
A pair of smugglers manage to pick up a castaway while running from the authorities, who turns out to be the only survivor from a secret mission to destroy a mysterious superweapon designed by the evil Count Zartharn. The smugglers are soon recruited by the Emperor to complete the mission, as well as to rescue the Emperor's son, who has gone missing.
bee
The One Man Jury
Title: The One Man Jury
Character: Mike Abatino
Released: September 29, 1978
Type: Movie
Officer Jim Wade is a loose cannon on the force with a reputation for roughing up suspects, informants, witnesses, and just about everybody else who rubs him the wrong way. When women start being killed by a mysterious serial murderer called The Slasher, Wade vows to put a stop to the killing spree, regardless of whether through legal means or not.
bee
Paradise Alley
Title: Paradise Alley
Character: Burp
Released: September 22, 1978
Type: Movie
Three Italian-American brothers, living in the slums of 1940's New York City, try to help each other with one's wrestling career using one brother's promotional skills and another brother's con-artist tactics to thwart a sleazy manager.
bee
Big Wednesday
Title: Big Wednesday
Character: Psychologist
Released: May 26, 1978
Type: Movie
Three 1960s California surfers fool around, drift apart and reunite years later to ride epic waves.
bee
Nunzio
Title: Nunzio
Character: Angelo
Released: May 10, 1978
Type: Movie
A mentally-challenged delivery boy indulges in fantasies that he is a superhero in the tough streets of Brooklyn. He lives a life marked with torments from the gang of deadbeats at the corner, overbearing concern from his mother and older brother, and general confusion about women and his burgeoning desires for them.
bee
Title: Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television
Character: William "Willie" Cicci
Released: November 12, 1977
Type: TV
An adaptation of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II, re-edited in chronological order with additional footage not seen in the first two films added.
bee
Sorcerer
Title: Sorcerer
Character: Spider
Released: June 24, 1977
Type: Movie
Four men from different parts of the globe, all hiding from their pasts in the same remote South American town, agree to risk their lives transporting several cases of dynamite (which is so old that it is dripping unstable nitroglycerin) across dangerous jungle terrain.
bee
Rocky
Title: Rocky
Character: Tony Gazzo
Released: November 21, 1976
Type: Movie
An uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight against the world heavyweight boxing champion.
bee
Stay Hungry
Title: Stay Hungry
Character: Jabo
Released: April 23, 1976
Type: Movie
A dishonest businessman asks rich layabout Craig Blake to help him buy a gym, which will be demolished for a development project in Alabama. But after spending time with weightlifter Joe Santo and gym worker Mary Tate Farnsworth, Craig wants out of the deal. The property negotiations turn ugly, causing a brawl at the gym and a spectacle at a big bodybuilding meet, as Craig learns that it's not easy to turn your back on fair-weather friends.
bee
Taxi Driver
Title: Taxi Driver
Character: Personnel Officer
Released: February 9, 1976
Type: Movie
A mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feed his urge for violent action.
bee
Next Stop, Greenwich Village
Title: Next Stop, Greenwich Village
Character: Cop
Released: February 4, 1976
Type: Movie
An aspiring Jewish actor moves out of his parents' Brooklyn apartment to seek his fortune in the bohemian life of Greenwich Village in 1953.
bee
The Ransom of Red Chief
Title: The Ransom of Red Chief
Character: Bill
Released: November 1, 1975
Type: Movie
Two con artists kidnap a young boy for ransom. The boy, who calls himself Red Chief, becomes a problem for them.
bee
92 in the Shade
Title: 92 in the Shade
Character: Ollie Slatt
Released: August 22, 1975
Type: Movie
A young drifter returns to his home in Key West, Florida and attempts to open a fishing charter business, provoking a dangerous feud with a rival fishing sea captain.
bee
Farewell, My Lovely
Title: Farewell, My Lovely
Character: Nick
Released: August 8, 1975
Type: Movie
Private eye Philip Marlowe is hired by ex-con Moose Malloy to find his girlfriend, a former lounge dancer. While also investigating the murder of a client and the theft of a jade necklace, Marlowe becomes entangled with seductress Helen Grayle and discovers a web of dark secrets that are better left hidden.
bee
Strike Force
Title: Strike Force
Character: Sol Terranova
Released: April 12, 1975
Type: Movie
A New York City detective teams up with a federal agent and a state trooper to bust up a drug ring.
bee
Rancho Deluxe
Title: Rancho Deluxe
Character: Mr. Colson
Released: March 14, 1975
Type: Movie
Two drifters, of widely varying backgrounds, rustle cattle and try to avoid being caught in contemporary Montana.
bee
The Godfather Part II
Title: The Godfather Part II
Character: William 'Willie' Cicci
Released: December 20, 1974
Type: Movie
In the continuing saga of the Corleone crime family, a young Vito Corleone grows up in Sicily and in 1910s New York. In the 1950s, Michael Corleone attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.
bee
The Seven-Ups
Title: The Seven-Ups
Character: Toredano
Released: December 14, 1973
Type: Movie
A tough detective who is part of an elite New York City unit is trying to find out who killed his partner, but uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for money.
bee
Cops and Robbers
Title: Cops and Robbers
Character: Marty
Released: August 15, 1973
Type: Movie
Two disillusioned New York policemen plan a $10 million robbery to fuel their low pensions, only to run into one debacle after another in the process.
bee
The Godfather
Title: The Godfather
Character: Willi Cicci (uncredited)
Released: March 14, 1972
Type: Movie
Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.