by Danny Aiello
Apparently, the Post reporter had talked to a Broadway producer, who had told her about the youngster at the play.
“The producer was Joe Garafola, the play was Lamppost Reunion, the kid was James Gandolfini, and the actor he spoke with was you.”
I was stunned and really didn’t know how to answer that one. “Well . . . I always had a lot of people coming up to me after a show,” I finally told the reporter. “That was a long time ago.”
All those years, I had been wondering why Jimmy would approach me twice with the same message: I honor you. Now it might somehow make sense. Is it possible that I was the guy who helped inspire James Gandolfini to find his calling? I was humbled and prayed that it was true, because he turned out to be one hell of an actor.
I’ll always link this story to being on the Broadway stage doing Knockout. That was when the doomed young actor Jimmy Hayden came to me. Like Gandolfini, that Jimmy is gone now, too. But taken together, the incidents remind me of the great tradition of actors down through the years, taking hope, encouragement, and inspiration from each other in what is, after all, an impossible profession.
I think of it as something like the Olympic torch. People like Carmine Caridi and Vincent Gardenia passed it on to me, and maybe I passed it on to a fourteen-year-old kid. Reading about my struggles and triumphs in this book just might inspire some young actor-to-be, and the torch might be passed on once again.
Even outside the game of acting, in the game of life, we can help each other, motivate each other, serve as models for one another. That’s one of the greatest things about being on the planet, the fact that we share in that long human process of encouragement and love.
About twenty-five years ago, I gave an interview to the New York Times Magazine. The story included a quote that dogged me for a long time afterward. “I want to be loved,” I told the Times interviewer. “In fact, I want to be loved by the greatest number of people it is humanly possible to be loved by.”
A lot of my friends laughed over that quote and used to tease me with it. But I stand by it even today. And you know what the great thing is? I’m still in the running to realize my goal.
If you ever encounter me on the stage, on the screen, or on the street, a little love would be nice.
Woolworth’s five-and-dime store photo booth, Wilkins Avenue in the Bronx, 1945.
My army enlistment photo, taken at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1951.
Warner Kaserne Service Club, Munich, Germany, in 1953: (left to right) Red De Filippo, Sal Portillo, Joe Zappala (who became ambassador to Spain under President George H. W. Bush), and me.
Sandy and me in our marriage photo, taken January 8, 1954.
Me in my booth at the Greyhound bus terminal on West Fiftieth Street in New York City, where I announced the bus schedules.
At the bungalow colony swimming pool in South Fallsburg, New York, with my son Danny III in 1959.
Our apartment on West 238th Street in the Bronx: (left to right) Stacey, Rick, me, Danny III, and Jaime in 1972.
My three sons: (left to right) Danny III, Jaime, and Rick in 1965 at the Marble Hill projects on West 228th Street in the Bronx.
My son Danny III and me at the Marble Hill projects. At that time, in 1961, money was scarce, so I cut my children’s hair. I had a photo taken so he could see the result. A beautiful little boy, he could have been a child model. And to think this little boy became a top stunt coordinator in film.
Easter Sunday, 1965: (left to right) my sister Rose (New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay’s mother), me, Mom, my sisters Gloria and Helen, and my brother Joe, outside my sister Helen’s apartment on Stadium Avenue, the Bronx.
Family get-together in 1979 at our apartment at West 238th Street in the Bronx, before moving to our first home in Ramsey, New Jersey: (left to right) Mom, my sister Rosebud, me, and my sister Annabelle.
“Swinging for the Trees,” Broadway Show League in Central Park, 1971.
The replica of the Oscar presented to me in recognition of my Academy Award nomination by the cast of Once Around in 1990.
My son Danny III and me courtside at a New Jersey Nets basketball game in 1998.
Louis LaRusso II, author, the person most responsible for my life in show business. When I told him I couldn’t act, he said, “Yes, you can! You just don’t know it yet.”
Fort Apache, the Bronx riot scene: John Aquino and me in action during filming in 1980.
Fort Apache, the Bronx: Paul Newman and me talk on set during a break in filming.
In Cannes to promote the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America: me, Bobby De Niro, and the great Italian film director Sergio Leone.
Training at a New York City gym with my son Danny III for the Broadway show Knockout in 1979.
Killing time with Woody Allen during the Purple Rose of Cairo shoot in 1985, with first camera operator Dick Mingalone acting as referee.
My wife, Sandy, and I at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I performed with Ben E. King at a testimonial dinner for Augie Renna, vice president of MGM Entertainment Corporation, in October 2010.
My beloved mother at my son Danny’s wedding reception at our home in Ramsey, New Jersey, on June 28, 1980.
Celebrating the second birthday of my eleventh grandchild, Willie D. Poppe, at my Saddle River, New Jersey, home, with my daughter, Stacey, his mom, on February 12, 2014.
Sofi Belle and me at Willie D.’s birthday party, 2014.
Tuning up the pipes during a sound check at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, before performing with my band in 2005.
“Besame Mucho” music video shoot on Gansevoort Street in New York City’s Meatpacking District, 2007.
Acknowledgments
I could not have completed this book without the help and support of a number of wonderful people, and I would like to express my gratitude for them here. The staff at Gallery Books guided me throughout the process, including Jennifer Bergstrom, Louise Burke, Jennifer Robinson, and Ed Schlesinger. My agent, Jennifer De Chiara, helped make this dream come true, and was always a sweet and positive presence. Gil Reavill helped me shape my words into a story and then helped make the story into a book. By my side every step of the way was Louie Baldonieri, the best friend and ally that anyone could have.
Also deserving thanks are the dear friends and associates who have lighted my way, lightened the load with laughter, or just shared the journey over the years, including Bill Alexander, Joe Amiel, Linda Amiel, Pete Antico, Richard Astor, Joseph Avallone, Father Tom Baldonieri, Dominick Barbara, Scott Barbarino, Scott and Tracey Barber, J.J. Barry, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jill Bauer, Richard Baum, Susan Benkel, Herb Benkel, Joe Berger, Nicky Blair, Herb Blodgett, Frank Bongiorno, Phil Carlo, Buddy Casano, Pamela Casano, Connie Casio, Dominick Casio, Frankie Casio, Joe Castellano, Chacha, Rebekah Chaney, Susan Charlotte, Rob Cioffi, Al Cohen, Madeline Cohen, Harold Cohen, Luigi Comandatore, Anthony Conforti, Mark Cooper, Alex Corrado, Jason Corsaro, Joe Cortese, Jimmy Cota, Vince Cupone, Charina D’Aiuto, Carol D’Angelo, Paul D’Angelo, Dennis D’Mico, Brendan “Spookie” Daly, Davido, Nilda Delarosa, Jimmy Delessio, Carlo DeRosa, Donna DeSeta, Bill DeSeta, Lou Digiaimo, Fortunato DiNatale, Alex Dinerlaris, everyone at DreamMakers Music, Mike Drescher, Mark Eddinger, Judith R. Ehrlich, Harry Ehrlich, Barrett Esposito, Larry Fallon, Laurie Fasinski, Vinnie Favale, Jules Feiler, Jerry Ferentinos, the staff at Five Napkins, including Eric and Nikki, Jerry Foley, Conal Fowkes, all the fine folks at the Friars Club, Mike Furno, George Gallo, Ray Garvey, Joe Geary, Frank Gigante, Bob Giraldi, Rudolph Giuliani, Lula Grant, Jerry Green, Danny Grimaldi, Ulu Grosbard, Bill Guarinello, Joe Guarinello, Mike Guccione, Jeff Hackworth, Dennis Hamill, Brian Hamill, Pete Hamill, Melody Hand, Ray Hand, Glenne Headley, Charlie Herman, Paul Herman, John Herzfeld, Larry Holmes, Chris Hower, Damond Hasan Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, Bill Jordan, Kevin Jordan, Pat Jude, Lou Katz, Drew Katz, Michael Kay, Jodi Kay, Jon Kilik, Peter King, Anna Kirshner, R.J Konner, Robert Koren, Deena Koren,
John LaBarbera, Angelica LaBarbera, Michel La Barbiera, Vincent Labarbiera, Charles Lallo, Frank Langella, Don Lass, Elaine Legaro, Brian Leland, Barbara Ligeti, Sam Linofski, Mark Lipsky, Mike Livingston, Tony Lo Bianco, Lucy Luckinbill, Gene Lutz, Vince Maggio, Debbie Maglio, Steve Maglio, Mare Maisano, Buddy Mantia, Marty Markinson, Dan Marotta, Melinda Martinez, Lisa Mateo, Peter Max, Paul Mazursky, Chris Mazzilli, Anne Meara, Tracey Miller, Barbara Miller, Robert Mitchell, Anthony Monte, Lisa Monte, Bobby Mussina, Ray Negron, Drew Nieporent, Rick Newman, Lois Nicotra, Rich Nicotra, Laura Nikiforchuck, Steve Olsen, Bob Orsini, Renee Pallonpelli, John Palumbo, Artie Pasqual, my friends at Patsy’s, Joe Peck, Frank Pellegrino, David Permut, Lou Perry, Charlie Picerni, Johnny Planco, George Pollock, Jimmy Prav, Ed Pressman, Frank Rainone, Eddie Rambolla, Ricardo Razuri, Lynn Reich, Les Rogers, Anthony Rossi, Marie Rossi, Anthony Rossi Jr., John Rothman, Aris Sakellaridis, Sue Schacter, Sal Scognamillo, Ronnie Seidenberg, Stanley Seidenberg, Ray Serra, Mark Settembre, Marcie Siciliano, Nick Siciliano, Ron Silver, Joel Silver, Mark Simone, Eddie Somerfeld, Maryann Spano, Joe Spano, Nicole Spano, Dennis Squitieri, Gary Stein, Jerry Stiller, Claudia Swan, Lenny Termo, Todd Thaler, Roz Tisch, Irv Tisch, John Titta, Lana Titta, Jim Toback, Mike Tyson, Tom Van Dell, Guy Daniel Vastola, Spyros Venduras, Vinnie Viola, Nick Vitagliano, Giustina Vitagliano, Richie Vitieri, Norby Walters, Bronx Wanderers, Irv Welzer, Ira Yohalem, Joe Zappala, Debbie Zoeller, and Fred Zollo.
Danny Aiello admits that he backed into his acting career by mistake. That’s easy to see when you begin at the beginning: Raised by his loving and fiercely resilient mother in the tenements of Manhattan and the South Bronx, and forever haunted by the death of his infant brother, Danny struggled early on to define who he was and who he could be. Shoeshine boy, numbers runner, and pool hustler were among the first identities he tried on. After getting into trouble on the streets, he enlisted in the army at seventeen, served in Germany, and was honorably discharged. Later, as an unemployed high-school dropout raising a family of his own, Danny was burdened with serious depression by the time he landed a job as a bouncer at a Hell’s Kitchen comedy club. Soon after taking to the stage in the wee hours to belt out standards, Danny Aiello found his voice and his purpose: He was born to act. Performing in converted churches and touring companies led to supporting roles in such films as The Godfather: Part II and Moonstruck, and an Oscar nomination for his role as the embattled Salvatore in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. For a guy who had never set foot in an acting class, this was supreme validation for being an outsider who followed his heart.
In a raw and real chronicle of his gritty urban past, Danny Aiello looks back with appreciation, amusement, and frank disbelief at his unconventional road to success. He offers candid observations on working with luminary directors Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, and Robert Altman, among others, and a vast roster of actors, including Robert De Niro, Paul Newman, Madonna, Cher, and Lauren Bacall. He opens up about friends he loved, friends he lost, and the professional relationships that weren’t meant to be. Above all, Danny Aiello imparts a life lesson straight out of his own experience to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider: It’s never too late to become who you want to be, to find happiness and fulfillment, and to embrace the winding road to get there.
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PHOTO CREDITS
Dedication Page:
Photo by Brian Hamill. Used with permission.
Photo Insert:
Page 1
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Page 2
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Page 3
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 4: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Page 4
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 4: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Page 5
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Photo by Joseph De Maria. Used with permission.
Photo 3: Photo by Joseph De Maria. Used with permission.
Page 6
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Photo by Brian Hamill. Used with permission.
Page 7
Photo 1: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 2: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 3: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Photo 4: Courtesy of the author’s personal collection.
Page 8
Photo 1: Photo by Herb Benkel. Used with permission.
Photo 2: Photo by Herb Benkel. Used with permission.
Gallery Books
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NOTE TO READERS: Some names and identifying characteristics have been changed.
Copyright © 2014 by Danny Aiello
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Gallery Books hardcover edition October 2014
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Interior design by Jill Putorti
Jacket design by Laywan Kwan
Jacket photographs by Brian Hamill
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-4767-5190-0
ISBN 978-1-4767-5192-4 (ebook)
Contents
Chapter One: Searching for Me
Chapter Two: My Very Own West Side Story
Chapter Three: Mothers and Fathers and Sons
Chapter Four: Fists, Don’t Fail Me Now
Chapter Five: How Baseball Saved My Life
Chapter Six: Sandy
Chapter Seven: The Big Grey Dog
Chapter Eight: Breaking In
Chapter Nine: At the Improv
Chapter Ten: Steps Forward and Steps Back
Chapter Eleven: How Baseball Saved My Life (Again)
Chapter Twelve: Gemini
Chapter Thirteen: Knockout
Chapter Fourteen: Fort Apache
Chapter Fifteen: Sergio, Woody, and Madonna
Chapter Sixteen: Moonstruck
Chapter Seventeen: Do the Right Thing
Chapter Eig
hteen: The Oscars
Chapter Nineteen: The Shutout
Chapter Twenty: Hudson Hawk
Chapter Twenty-One: Ready to Wear
Chapter Twenty-Two: Dizzy Gillespie’s Horn
Chapter Twenty-Three: Dellaventura
Chapter Twenty-Four: I Just Want to Hear the Words
Chapter Twenty-Five: Danny, My Son, My Son
Chapter Twenty-Six: Searching for Me (Reprise)
Photographs
Acknowledgments
About Danny Aiello
Photo Credits