Joe Pantoliano is a renowned American actor, boasting an impressive resume with over 150 credits to his name. His extensive filmography includes iconic roles in movies such as "The Goonies," "La Bamba," "The Fugitive," "The Matrix," "Memento," and the "Bad Boys" trilogy. Additionally, he has made notable appearances on various television series, including "Hill Street Blues," "NYPD Blue," "The Sopranos," and "Sense8."
Throughout his illustrious career, Pantoliano has delivered standout performances in a wide range of roles, such as Ralph Cifaretto on "The Sopranos," Bob Keane in "La Bamba," Cypher in "The Matrix," Teddy in "Memento," Francis Fratelli in "The Goonies," Guido "the Killer Pimp" in "Risky Business," and Caesar, Jennifer Tilly's violent mobster boyfriend, in "Bound." Furthermore, he played the roles of Deputy U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro in both "The Fugitive" and "U.S. Marshals."
In 2003, Pantoliano received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding work on "The Sopranos." He is affectionately known as "Joey Pants" due to the difficulty some people have pronouncing his Italian surname, Pantoliano.
Early Life:
Joe Pantoliano was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian-American parents Dominic and Mary. His father, a factory foreman and hearse driver, and his mother, a seamstress and bookie, instilled in him a strong sense of family values. As a youth, Pantoliano relocated with his family to the New Jersey borough of Cliffside Park, where he attended Cliffside Park High School. Later, he pursued his passion for the performing arts at the renowned HB Studio in New York City.