Pesci joe biography

Home / Celebrity Biographies / Pesci joe biography

Pesci's portrayal of the menacing Tommy DeVito in "Goodfellas" (1990) garnered him significant recognition, culminating in an Academy Award win.

Early Life and Education

Joe Pesci, born Joseph Pesci on February 9, 1943, in Newark, New Jersey, displayed an early flair for performance that set the stage for his future in acting.

Pesci largely retired from acting but returned for a few projects here and there. This dual success in such contrasting genres further established Pesci as a versatile actor, capable of seamlessly transitioning from dramatic roles to light-hearted comedies, and helped him become a household name in the film industry. This duality allowed Pesci to traverse different genres seamlessly, appealing to audiences across demographics and contributing to his long-standing career in the film industry.

By the tender age of four, he was already engaging audiences through radio, showcasing his notable talent. This dimension of Joe Pesci reveals that behind the iconic tough-guy persona lies a devoted father who appreciates the importance of family, even amidst the challenges of his personal pursuits.

pesci joe biography

Following "Raging Bull", Pesci became recognized for his distinctive intensity and charisma, often cast in roles that highlighted his talent for portraying menacing yet compelling characters. Pesci's work in "Raging Bull" not only showcased his acting prowess but also paved the way for future collaborations with Scorsese and the kind of dynamic performances that would become his signature style.

Pesci's comedic timing and ability to portray a character that's both threatening and silly made "Home Alone" a classic. However, the album was not a commercial success.
TV – 1985: Half NelsonAwards1991 – Academy Award
1982 – British Film Academy Awards

Joe Pesci Movies And TV Shows

Joe Pesci Movies

MoviesRelease Date
He Let’s Twist1961
The Death Collector1976
Raging Bull1980
Dear Mr.

Wonderful

1982
Eureka1983
Man of Fire1987
Lethal Weapon 21989
Betsy’s Wedding1990
Goodfellas1990
The Super1991
The Public Eye1992
A Bronx Tale1993
With honors1994
8 Heads in a Duffel Bag1997
Lethal Weapon 41998
The Good Shepherd2006
Love Ranch2010
The Irishman2019
Day of the Fight2023

Joe Pesci TV Shows

  • 1985 – Half Nelson
  • 1992 – Tales from the crypt
  • 1992 – Saturday Night Live
  • 1997 – Saturday Night Live
  • 2023 – Bupkis

Joe Pesci Height And Weight

Height (approx)In centimeters – 163 cm
In meters – 1.63
In feet & inches – 5’4”
Weight (approx)In kilograms – 70 kg
In pounds – 152 lbs
Eye ColourBrown
Hair ColourBlack and White

Read More

Joe Pesci Net Worth 2025

Net Worth (approx)$50 million (As of 2025)
Annual Income (approx)Update soon
Salary (approx)$2-3 Million (per movie)
Income SourceActing, endorsement, etc.

Some Lesser Facts About Joe Pesci

  • Joe Pesci was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Maria and Angelo.
  • His mother was a part-time barber, and his father was a forklift truck driver for General Motors and a bartender.
  • He was raised in Belleville, New Jersey, and graduated from Belleville High School.
  • By the time Pesci was five years old, he was appearing in plays in New York.
  • At age 10, he was a regular on a television variety show called Startime Kids.
  • Joe Pesci was a childhood friend of American Mafia figure Robert Bisaccia.
  • Pasci introduced Gudio to DeVito and Valli in 1958, which led to the formation of the band The Four Seasons.
  • He was married to Claudia Haro, with whom he had a daughter, from 1988 to 1992.
  • He was Robert De Niro’s sidekick in Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and Casino.
  • He played the character Leo Getz in the Lethal Weapon film series.
  • His performance in Raging Bull earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
  • He also played the little character in 1992’s My Cousin Vinny and the dimwitted burglar in Home.

FAQ:

How old is Joe Pesci?

82 years old (As of 2025)

Why did Joe Pesci quit acting?

Joe Pesci retired from acting in 1999 to focus on his music career.

What is Joe Pesci’s net worth?

As of 2025, Joe Pesci’s estimated net worth is $50 million.

Who is Joe Pesci’s daughter?

Joe Pesci’s daughter is Tiffany Pesice, who is also an actress.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.

Related

Joe Pesci Biography and Wiki

Joe Pesci is an American actor and musician who rose to prominence after co-starring with Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in the films Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, and The Irishman.

He was born Joseph Frank Pesci on 9 February 1943 in Newark, New Jersey, United States. His career took off after Robert De Niro recognized his talent in the 1975 film "The Death Collector", leading to his casting in Martin Scorsese's acclaimed film "Raging Bull" (1980). Joe was born in Newark, New Jersey, United States of America.

In 1990, he was cast as the violent-tempered mobster Tommy DeVito in Martin Scorsese’s biographical crime film.

READ MORE: Chace Crawford Bio, Age, Wiki, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Wife, Movies, TV Shows, Gossip Girl, The Covenant,

Joe Pesci starred as David Ferrie in Oliver Stone’s controversial epic political thriller film JFK in 1991, and the following year as Vincent LaGuardia Gambini in the hit comedy My Cousin Vinny.

Throughout the 1990s, particularly during the peak of his film career, Pesci earned significant salaries for his projects. He reunited with De Niro and Scorsese in 2019 for the latter’s epic crime film The Irishman (2019).

Major Hits: "Home Alone" and "Goodfellas"

Joe Pesci reached new heights in his career with two iconic films in the early 1990s: "Goodfellas" and "Home Alone." In "Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorsese, Pesci portrayed the volatile mobster Tommy DeVito.

Even after his semi-retirement, Pesci's return in films like "The Irishman" has reaffirmed his status and continued earning potential in the industry. After Robert De Niro, who starred as the lead character Jake LaMotta, was captivated by Pesci's performance in "The Death Collector", he advocated for the actor’s inclusion in Scorsese's film.

He made his film debut in 1976 with the low-budget crime drama The Death.

Pesci also appeared in Once Upon a Time in America (with De Niro, 1984), the Italian comedy Everybody in Jail (Tutti dentro, 1984), another action thriller Man on Fire (1987), Michael Jackson’s musical anthology Moonwalker, and the drama The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway (both 1988).