Joe Marinelli, an American actor, was born into an Italian-American household in Meriden, Connecticut. He relocated to Southern California in 1961 with his family, who were guided by his father George, a WWII veteran, to showcase the wonders of the United States. By the time Joe entered the 6th grade, he had traveled across the Continental United States at least twice, accompanied by his family.
During his 7th grade English class, Joe's enthusiasm for making sound effects while the class read stories led to his repeated removal from the classroom. Teacher Stan Zalas, a graduate of the Pasadena Playhouse and a talented actor himself, recognized Joe's potential and encouraged him to pursue a career in acting. Zalas would later direct Joe in numerous plays throughout his junior high school and adult years.
Joe's passion for acting continued to grow, with him participating in at least two plays annually. However, he initially hesitated to commit to a career in acting due to the uncertain lifestyle it entailed. He decided to study Business at Loyola Marymount University, where he remained active in the theater scene and took acting classes.
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London accepted Joe into their honor/tutorial program, where he studied privately with their professors and gained a deeper understanding of the profession. After completing his degree in Theater, Joe continued his education with Jean Muir and Michael Shurtleff, who became his mentors.
For the next decade, Joe dedicated himself to constant theater performances in Los Angeles, often without pay, and occasionally landed co-starring roles. He made a living as a carpenter during this time. His breakthrough role came when he was cast as Gangster/Transvestite Bunny Tagliatti on the television show Santa Barbara, which earned him a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Comedic Performance in Daytime Television.
Since then, Joe has continued to work in television, feature films, and commercials. He is currently filming the Untitled Morning Show, where he plays the role of Director Donny Spagnoli. Joe resides in Los Angeles with his wife, French Hornist Jean Marinelli, and their sons Vincent, a Film Editor, and David, a Music Producer.
