Tony Tarantino was born on July 4, 1940, in Queens, New York, to Elizabeth Jean and Dominic James Tarantino, who were of Italian/Sicilian descent. He was raised in Brooklyn alongside his sister Diane.
In 1952, the family relocated to Los Angeles, California, where Tony would eventually graduate from Washington High School in 1958. He then attended the Pasadena Playhouse, graduating in 1960, and it was during this time that he caught the "acting bug" from his father, who had appeared in several westerns with notable stars in the early thirties.
Tony's early years were marked by a diverse range of skills and pursuits. He acquired a general aviation pilot license, becoming proficient in single and multi-engine aircraft, as well as in the Western quick draw and marksmanship with handguns and rifles. He also earned a black belt in Karate and Kung-Fu, and developed skills with a bow and arrow as a member of the Malibu Roving Archers.
During his time at the Pasadena Playhouse, Tony honed his skills in modern dance and fencing, and worked for tips playing guitar and singing folk songs in local coffee houses. His love for music led him to form several bands, playing lead, rhythm, and bass guitar, and singing in supper clubs and nightclubs in Los Angeles and the South Bay area.
Tony's passion for music extended to his ranch in Southern California, where he raised and trained roping and cutting horses. He also produced a television interview show, co-hosted a radio talk show, and worked on four films, starring in one.
In 1998, Tony joined the "Silver Foxes", a group of celebrity parents founded by producer David Krieff, which includes the late Sal Pacino, Patsy Swayze, and Jenny Crawford, among others. He has since completed the writing of his original screenplay, "New Horizons", which was intended for Tom Cruise to star in.
As an involved member of the Screen Actors Guild, Tony has volunteered three hours a week reading to K-3 classes through Book PALS. He currently resides in the beautiful hills of Southern California and is the sole owner of Tarantino Productions LLC, which he established with his late father, Dominic.
Tony writes, composes, and produces his own music for all his movies and has written all the songs for his upcoming film, "Prism".
