Introduction
Vinny Vella (born January 11, 1947) is an American actor, talk show host and comedian.
Early life
Vella was born 'Vincent Frank Vella on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village New York City. Vella's father was from Bari, Italy and his mother was from Naples, ItalyVella's father had a fish store in Little Italy.
Career
Vella is probably best known for the role of "Artie Piscano" in Martin Scorsese's Casino. He was also the subject of a 67-minute 2000 documentary called Hey, Vinny by director John Huba.
He played Jimmy Petrille on the HBO show The Sopranos.
In New York City, he hosts a public-access television cable TV show on MNN, the Vinny Vella show.
Partial filmography
Vellas films include:
- Kill the Irishman (2011) ....Frank Brancato
- Chasing the Green (2008) ....Vincent
- The Roadhouse (2008) ...."Old Sal"
- Find Me Guilty (2006) .... Graziedei
- Home (2006) ....Himself
- Spy (2005) ....Harry 'Red' Dellarose
- In the Cut (2003) ....Concerned Bystander
- Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) ....Vinny
- This Thing of Ours (2003) ....Carmine
- The Bakery (2003) ....Vinny
- Analyze That (2002) ....Mello
- High Times' Potluck (2002) ....Vinny
- Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) ....Cab Driver
- Wannabes (2000) ....Carmine
- Ghost Dog (1999) ....Sammy the Snake
- Spenser: Small Vices (1999) ....Vinnie
- Rounders (1998) ....Card Player at KGB's
- Destination Anywhere (1997) ....Angry Window Man
- Sausages (1997) ....Luigi
- Casino (1995) ....Artie Piscano
Personal life
He is married to Margaret Ann Hernandez; they have one son, Vincent Vella, Jr.
Vella was at one time the "Mayor of Elizabeth Street".
In 2007, he opened his own pizzeria in Williamsburg which is the neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn.
In June 2008, Vella was involved in controversy around a lottery ticket according to some sources threatened to sue over it.