---
name: "Giovanni Ribisi"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/giovanni-ribisi"
fi1m_id: "giovanni-ribisi"
imdb_id: "nm0000610"
tmdb_id: 1771
wikidata_id: "Q224081"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 December 1974"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 65
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-22T04:23:15.849219+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Giovanni Ribisi

## Identity

Giovanni Ribisi

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/giovanni-ribisi
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** giovanni-ribisi
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000610
- **TMDB ID:** 1771
- **Wikidata ID:** Q224081
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Ribisi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q224081, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000610/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1771

Actor. Born 17 December 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 December 1974, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** Antonino Giovanni Ribisi, Vonni Ribisi, ჯოვანი რიბისი
- **Frequently works with:** [Adam Arkin](https://film.one/person/adam-arkin.md), [Alec Sulkin](https://film.one/person/alec-sulkin.md), [Jason Clark](https://film.one/person/jason-clark.md), [Johnny Depp](https://film.one/person/johnny-depp.md), [Sam Worthington](https://film.one/person/sam-worthington.md), [Seth MacFarlane](https://film.one/person/seth-macfarlane.md), [Sofia Coppola](https://film.one/person/sofia-coppola.md), [Wellesley Wild](https://film.one/person/wellesley-wild.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 65, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 81 (2), 2000s 68 (6), 2010s 62 (4), 2020s 57 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 65 to 63 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 7 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 14 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Adventure 4, Comedy 4, History 4, Action 3, Crime 3
- **Screen time:** 38 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $8,750m across 15 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Ribisi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q224081, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000610/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1771

## Coming up

- *The Greatest* (2026-11-04) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-greatest.md)
- *Avatar 4* (2029-12-19), as Parker Selfridge
- *Avatar 5* (2031-12-17), as Parker Selfridge

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Saving Private Ryan*](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md) (84), [*American Hostage*](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md) (56)
- **Disney+:** [*Avatar*](https://film.one/film/avatar.md) (70), [*Avatar: The Way of Water*](https://film.one/film/avatar-the-way-of-water.md) (68)
- **Netflix:** [*Selma*](https://film.one/film/selma.md) (84)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Giovanni Ribisi

> Giovanni Ribisi is good at making bewilderment feel serious, even in a comic part. We rate his quiet intensity, though the familiar casting as an oddity can undersell an actor capable of carrying a film.

In *The Virgin Suicides* (2000), Giovanni Ribisi draws us in with a voice that does not seem to be asking for attention. His matter-of-fact narration makes the boys' fascination sound ordinary enough for their teenage longing to hurt. We felt the sadness of that longing because he describes it so calmly. His restraint is welcome in Sofia Coppola's film, where the score already encourages plenty of daydreaming. The reservation is that the sisters can disappear behind the boys' interest in them.

*Saving Private Ryan* (1998) gives him a different job as Medic Wade: making an ordinary man convincing amid Steven Spielberg's frightening combat sequences. Ribisi is intense without making a display of being overwhelmed. The performance helps keep the scale human, even when the writing between battles falls back on familiar material. This was his breakthrough film role, and it remains a useful place to see what he contributes beside Tom Hanks's strained authority.

His recurring Frank Buffay Jr. in *Friends* had already made use of the comic side of that bewilderment. *Boiler Room* (2000) then put him in the lead as corrupt stockbroker Seth Davis, a reminder that he need not be confined to eccentric supporting parts. Supporting work remained prominent, including Parker Selfridge in *Avatar* (2009) and a role in *Ted* (2012). The danger of that familiar casting is that we begin watching for the odd behaviour and stop asking who the character is.

*Sneaky Pete* (2015–2019), which he starred in and produced, gave him a sustained lead beyond those supporting roles. He also moved into cinematography, working on commercials and music videos before the feature *Strange Darling* (2023). We would be sorry if that meant fewer acting roles. Start with *Saving Private Ryan* for his restraint under pressure, then *The Virgin Suicides* for what he can do with his voice.

## Biography

Giovanni Ribisi is an American actor. Born on 17 December 1974 in Los Angeles, he began acting as a child with recurring roles in television series including My Two Dads.

Ribisi is known for his performance as T/4 Medic Wade in *Saving Private Ryan* (1998). His other film credits include *That Thing You Do!* (1996), *Boiler Room* (2000), *Lost in Translation* (2003), *Avatar* (2009) as Parker Selfridge, *Public Enemies* (2009), *Ted* (2012) as Donny, and *Avatar: The Way of Water* (2022). He had a recurring role as Frank Buffay Jr. on the television series *Friends*.

His twin sister is actress Marissa Ribisi.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (17)

- *American Hostage* (2026), Fi1m 56, as Tony Kiritsis — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md)
- *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Selfridge — [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-fire-and-ash.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1* (2024), Fi1m 55, as Pickering — [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-1.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), Fi1m 48, as Roland Bailey — [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *Avatar: The Way of Water* (2022), Fi1m 68, as Parker Selfridge — [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-the-way-of-water.md)
- *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), Fi1m 40, as Edward — [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md)
- *Selma* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Lee White — [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *Ted* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Donny — [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md)
- *The Rum Diary* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Moberg — [page](https://film.one/film/the-rum-diary.md)
- *Avatar* (2009), Fi1m 70, as Parker Selfridge — [page](https://film.one/film/avatar.md)
- *Public Enemies* (2009), Fi1m 64, as Alvin Karpis — [page](https://film.one/film/public-enemies.md)
- *Cold Mountain* (2003), Fi1m 62, as Junior — [page](https://film.one/film/cold-mountain.md)
- *Lost in Translation* (2003), Fi1m 86, as John — [page](https://film.one/film/lost-in-translation.md)
- *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), Fi1m 40, as Kip Raines — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md)
- *The Virgin Suicides* (2000), Fi1m 83, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-virgin-suicides.md)
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), Fi1m 84, as T/4 Medic Wade — [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Lost Highway* (1997), Fi1m 78, as Steve "V" — [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md)

## Complete filmography (97)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Avatar 5* (2031), as Parker Selfridge
- *Avatar 4* (2029), as Parker Selfridge
- *The Greatest* (2026), series, Actor — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-greatest.md)
- *American Hostage* (2026), series, as Tony Kiritsis — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md)
- *Chapter 51* (2026), Producer
- *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (2025), as Selfridge — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-fire-and-ash.md)
- *One Battle After Another* (2025), Thanks — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/one-battle-after-another.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), as Roland Bailey — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *Strange Darling* (2024), as Art Pallone (voice) · Director of Photography, Producer
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1* (2024), as Pickering — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-1.md)
- *Waco: The Aftermath* (2023), series, as Dan Cogdell
- *Avatar: The Way of Water* (2022), as Parker Selfridge — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-the-way-of-water.md)
- *The Offer* (2022), series, as Joe Colombo
- *On the Verge* (2021), series, as Jerry
- *A Million Little Pieces* (2019), as John
- *The Bad Batch* (2017), as The Screamer
- *Papa Hemingway in Cuba* (2015), as Ed Myers
- *The Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship* (2015), as The Joker / Two-Face (voice)
- *Meadowland* (2015), as Tim
- *Sneaky Pete* (2015), series, as Pete Murphy / Marius Josipović · Director, Producer
- *Ted 2* (2015), as Donny
- *Results* (2015), as Paul
- *Selma* (2014), as Lee White — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), as Edward — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md)
- *Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II: Villains in Paradise* (2014), as The Joker / Two-Face (voice)
- *Face in the Crowd* (2013), Executive Producer
- *Dads* (2013), series, as Warner Whittemore
- *Gangster Squad* (2013), as Conway Keeler
- *Loom* (2012), as Galvin
- *Ted* (2012), as Donny — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md)
- *Columbus Circle* (2012), as Detective Frank Giardello
- *Contraband* (2012), as Tim Briggs
- *The Rum Diary* (2011), as Moberg — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-rum-diary.md)
- *Avatar* (2009), as Parker Selfridge — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/avatar.md)
- *Public Enemies* (2009), as Alvin Karpis — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/public-enemies.md)
- *Middle Men* (2009), as Wayne Beering
- *Gardener of Eden* (2007), as Vic
- *Perfect Stranger* (2007), as Miles Haley
- *The Dead Girl* (2006), as Rudy
- *The Dog Problem* (2006), as Solo
- *10th & Wolf* (2006), as Joey
- *The White Door* (2006), as Man
- *The Big White* (2005), as Ted
- *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Ralph Mariano — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-name-is-earl.md)
- *Flight of the Phoenix* (2004), as Elliott
- *Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow* (2004), as Dex
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Nick — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Love's Brother* (2004), as Angelo Donnini
- *Cold Mountain* (2003), as Junior — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/cold-mountain.md)
- *I Love Your Work* (2003), as Gray Evans
- *Lost in Translation* (2003), as John — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/lost-in-translation.md)
- *Masked and Anonymous* (2003), as Soldier
- *Basic* (2003), as 2LT Levi Kendall
- *Heaven* (2002), as Filippo
- *According to Spencer* (2001), as Louis
- *Shot in the Heart* (2001), as Mikal Gilmore
- *The Gift* (2000), as Buddy Cole
- *It's the Rage* (2000), as Sidney
- *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), as Kip Raines — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md)
- *The Virgin Suicides* (2000), as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-virgin-suicides.md)
- *Boiler Room* (2000), as Seth Davis
- *The Mod Squad* (1999), as Peter Cochran
- *The Other Sister* (1999), as Daniel McMann
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Randy (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Phoenix* (1998), as Joey Schneider
- *First Love, Last Rites* (1998), as Joey
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), as T/4 Medic Wade — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Midnight Flight* (1998), as Student
- *Some Girl* (1998), as Jason
- *Scotch and Milk* (1998), as Marty
- *The Postman* (1997), as Bandit #20
- *The Hunger* (1997), series, as Eddie Foden
- *SubUrbia* (1997), as Jeff
- *Lost Highway* (1997), as Steve "V" — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md)
- *That Thing You Do!* (1996), as Chad
- *The Grave* (1996), as Wex
- *Mind Ripper* (1995), as Scott
- *Marker* (1995), series, Actor
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Frank Jr., Condom Boy (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Michael Weber
- *Ellen* (1994), series, as Cashier
- *Family Album* (1993), series, as Elvis DeMattis
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Darin Peter Oswald — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Tony Kingston
- *The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom* (1993), as Pete Reyes
- *The Commish* (1991), series, Actor
- *Davis Rules* (1991), series, as Skinner Buckley
- *Blossom* (1990), series, Actor
- *Promised a Miracle* (1988), as Wesley Parker
- *The Wonder Years* (1988), series, as Jeff Billings — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md)
- *My Two Dads* (1987), series, as Cory Kupkus
- *Married... with Children* (1987), series, as Teddy
- *Sidekicks* (1986), series, Actor
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as Teddy (segment "The Beacon")
- *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, Actor
- *Simon & Simon* (1981), series, Actor
- *Callback*, as Producer

## Gallery

- ![Giovanni Ribisi at a ceremony for James Cameron to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-495660f2c119.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi at a ceremony for James Cameron to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2009) — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/GiovanniRibisiDec09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Giovanni Ribisi at a ceremony for James Cameron to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-f7c7a79a9e84.png) Giovanni Ribisi at a ceremony for James Cameron to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2009) — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Rsz_2giovanniribisidec09.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-a017d7fdf7b0.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-00deea051016.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-a41ac5a9cf13.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-f873e58cda90.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-f8d4b7fb98a5.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB
- ![Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/media/person/87592/gallery-cad892c0446c.jpg) Giovanni Ribisi — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/giovanni-ribisi