Frank Vincent, a talented actor, musician, and comedian, was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, but grew up in the Greenville section of Jersey City, New Jersey. He began his musical journey at St. Paul's Grammar School, where he studied music and developed a passion for drumming at a young age. His father introduced him to the dramatic arts, which would later influence his career.
Vincent's musical talents led him to play with notable 1960s recording artists, including Trini López, Del Shannon, and Paul Anka. In 1975, he made his acting debut in the low-budget film The Death Collector, which caught the attention of acclaimed director Martin Scorsese.
Scorsese went on to cast Vincent in three iconic American films. He played the role of Salvi in Raging Bull (1980),Billy Batts in Goodfellas (1990),and Frank Marino in Casino (1995). Vincent's versatility and resourcefulness as a character actor earned him recognition, leading to opportunities in various fields, including video games, television commercials, and rock-music clips with artists such as DMX, T-Boz, and Hype Williams.
In addition to his film work, Vincent appeared in the legendary HBO series The Sopranos (1999) as gangster Phil Leotardo. He received the Italian American Entertainer of the Year Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Back East Picture Show, acknowledging his contributions to the entertainment industry.