Actor. He was known for his roles in several Martin Scorsese films, usually playing a mobster or tough guy. An accomplished player of drums, trumpet, and piano, he originally aspired to a career in music, but in 1976 he landed a role in the low-budget gangster movie 'The Death Collector,' along with Joe Pesci, where they were spotted by Robert De Niro, who told Scorsese about the both of them. The director was impressed by their performances and hired them to appear in a major supporting role in 'Raging Bull' (1980). Vincent and Pesci would go on to appear together in several other movies. Usually typecast as a gangster, Vincent appeared in Scorsese's 1990 film 'Goodfellas', where he played Billy Batts, and also played a prominent role in Scorsese's 1995 film 'Casino' as Frank Marino. He also had roles in two Spike Lee films: 'Do the Right Thing' (1989) and 'Jungle Fever' (1991). Among other films he had memorable roles in were 'The Pope of Greenwich Village' (1984), 'Wise Guys' (1986), 'Night Falls on Manhattan' (1996), 'Cop Land' (1997), 'Shark Tale' (2004) and 'Chicago Overcoat' (2009). Although he appeared in numerous television shows and made-for-TV movies, he will best be remembered for his role as the vicious mob boss Phil Leotardo on HBO's 'The Sopranos.' Vincent died of complications from heart surgery.
Actor. He was known for his roles in several Martin Scorsese films, usually playing a mobster or tough guy. An accomplished player of drums, trumpet, and piano, he originally aspired to a career in music, but in 1976 he landed a role in the low-budget gangster movie 'The Death Collector,' along with Joe Pesci, where they were spotted by Robert De Niro, who told Scorsese about the both of them. The director was impressed by their performances and hired them to appear in a major supporting role in 'Raging Bull' (1980). Vincent and Pesci would go on to appear together in several other movies. Usually typecast as a gangster, Vincent appeared in Scorsese's 1990 film 'Goodfellas', where he played Billy Batts, and also played a prominent role in Scorsese's 1995 film 'Casino' as Frank Marino. He also had roles in two Spike Lee films: 'Do the Right Thing' (1989) and 'Jungle Fever' (1991). Among other films he had memorable roles in were 'The Pope of Greenwich Village' (1984), 'Wise Guys' (1986), 'Night Falls on Manhattan' (1996), 'Cop Land' (1997), 'Shark Tale' (2004) and 'Chicago Overcoat' (2009). Although he appeared in numerous television shows and made-for-TV movies, he will best be remembered for his role as the vicious mob boss Phil Leotardo on HBO's 'The Sopranos.' Vincent died of complications from heart surgery.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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