---
name: "Joe Grifasi"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/joe-grifasi"
fi1m_id: "joe-grifasi"
imdb_id: "nm0341055"
tmdb_id: 4887
wikidata_id: "Q922952"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "14 June 1944"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-04T23:42:38.035793+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."
---

# Joe Grifasi

## Identity

Joe Grifasi

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joe-grifasi
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** joe-grifasi
- **IMDb ID:** nm0341055
- **TMDB ID:** 4887
- **Wikidata ID:** Q922952
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Grifasi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q922952, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341055/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4887

Actor. Born 14 June 1944 in Buffalo - New York - USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 14 June 1944, Buffalo - New York - USA
- **Active:** 1978–present
- **Also known as:** Joseph G. Grifasi, Joseph Grifasi 
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 84 (1), 1980s 84 (4), 1990s 70 (4), 2000s 67 (1), 2020s 63 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 70 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 5, Crime 4, Fantasy 4, Romance 3, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,160m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Grifasi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q922952, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341055/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4887

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*The Deer Hunter*](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md) (84), [*13 Going on 30*](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md) (67)
- **Tubi:** [*Presumed Innocent*](https://film.one/film/presumed-innocent.md) (82)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Hudsucker Proxy*](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*Batman Forever*](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md) (56)

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

## Biography

Joe Grifasi is an American character actor of film, stage and television. Born on 14 June 1944 in Buffalo, New York, he served in the US Army before studying at the Yale School of Drama.

His film credits include the bandleader in *The Deer Hunter* (1978), the foreman in *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), Tommy Molto in *Presumed Innocent* (1990) and Lou in *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994). He has also appeared in *Batman Forever* (1995), *13 Going on 30* (2004) and episodes of *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*.

On stage he has performed on Broadway in productions including *The Mystery of Edwin Drood* and *Dinner at Eight*. He has been married to jazz saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom since 1974.

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

## On Fi1m (11)

- *I Know This Much Is True* (2020), Fi1m 63, as Steve Falice — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-know-this-much-is-true.md)
- *13 Going on 30* (2004), Fi1m 67, as Mr. Flamhaff — [page](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md)
- *Batman Forever* (1995), Fi1m 56, as Bank Guard — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md)
- *Natural Born Killers* (1994), Fi1m 64, as Deputy Sheriff Duncan Homolka — [page](https://film.one/film/natural-born-killers.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Lou — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Presumed Innocent* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Tommy Molto — [page](https://film.one/film/presumed-innocent.md)
- *Roseanne* (1988), Fi1m 84, as IRS Office Supervisor — [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md)
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Foreman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Moonstruck* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Shy Waiter — [page](https://film.one/film/moonstruck.md)
- *Splash* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Manny — [page](https://film.one/film/splash.md)
- *The Deer Hunter* (1978), Fi1m 84, as Bandleader — [page](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md)

## Complete filmography (107)

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

- *Tornado* (2024), as Rich
- *Endgame* (2023), as Nagg
- *The Dreams of Rene Sendam* (2022), as Dr. Bradley
- *Radium Girls* (2020), as Grandpa
- *I Know This Much Is True* (2020), series, as Steve Falice — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-know-this-much-is-true.md)
- *Evil* (2019), series, as Lombino
- *New Amsterdam* (2018), series, as Lilo Steinhauser
- *Lodge 49* (2018), series, Actor
- *The Good Fight* (2017), series, as Judge John Mata
- *No Pay, Nudity* (2016), as Mr. Davenport
- *Baked in Brooklyn* (2016), as David's Dad
- *Bull* (2016), series, as Judge Arlen Rand, Judge Rand
- *The American Side* (2016), as The Serb
- *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (2014), as Peter Quince
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Captain Moretti
- *The Front* (2010), as Mr. Zeffirelli
- *The Last New Yorker* (2010), as Jerry
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge John Mata — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Canterbury's Law* (2008), series, Actor
- *The Bronx Is Burning* (2007), series, as Yogi Berra
- *A Crime* (2006), as Bill
- *Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed* (2006), as Uncle Sam
- *Conviction* (2006), series, as Judge Harrigan
- *Slow Burn* (2005), as Desk Sgt. Drown
- *A Jersey Tale* (2004), as Alphonso "Chunks" Colon
- *13 Going on 30* (2004), as Mr. Flamhaff — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md)
- *Tarzan* (2003), series, as Lieutenant Scott Connor
- *Hope & Faith* (2003), series, as Leo
- *Auto Focus* (2002), as Strip Club M.C.
- *Changing Lanes* (2002), as Judge Cosell
- *Queenie in Love* (2001), as Berthold
- *61** (2001), as Phil Rizzuto
- *Some of My Best Friends* (2001), series, as Joe Zito
- *Looking for an Echo* (2000), as Vic
- *Deadline* (2000), series, as Mike Phelan
- *The Other Me* (2000), as Conrad
- *The Beat* (2000), series, as Vince Marinelli
- *Switching Goals* (1999), as Dave
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Hashi Horowitz
- *The Out-of-Towners* (1999), as Arresting Cop
- *The Naked Man* (1998), as Koski
- *The Deal* (1998), as Boular
- *Sunday* (1997), as Scottie Elster
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Harry Papp
- *One Fine Day* (1996), as Manny Feldstein
- *Shadow of a Doubt* (1996), as Sidney Sherman
- *Early Edition* (1996), series, as Harry Hawks
- *Undue Influence* (1996), series, as Clem
- *Remember WENN* (1996), series, as Larry Looper
- *Heavy* (1995), as Leo
- *Money Train* (1995), as Riley
- *Two Bits* (1995), as Uncle Joe
- *Batman Forever* (1995), as Bank Guard — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-forever.md)
- *Jack Reed: A Search for Justice* (1994), Actor
- *ER* (1994), series, as Tom Williams — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Larry Ruscetti
- *Natural Born Killers* (1994), as Deputy Sheriff Duncan Homolka — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/natural-born-killers.md)
- *Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult* (1994), as Director
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), as Lou — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Household Saints* (1993), as Frank Manzone
- *Moon Over Miami* (1993), series, Actor
- *Taking the Heat* (1993), as Lou Valentine
- *Benny & Joon* (1993), as Mike
- *Class of '96* (1993), series, as Joe Morrisey
- *Sinatra* (1992), series, as George Evans
- *Citizen Cohn* (1992), as Gerald Walpin
- *Primary Motive* (1992), as Paul Melton
- *City of Hope* (1991), as Pauly
- *WIOU* (1990), series, as Tony Pro
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Ezra Gould, Defense Attorney James Linde — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Presumed Innocent* (1990), as Tommy Molto — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/presumed-innocent.md)
- *Capital News* (1990), series, Actor
- *Kojak: Ariana* (1989), as Lieutenant Rastelli
- *Perfect Witness* (1989), as Breeze
- *The Feud* (1989), as Bud Bullard
- *Chances Are* (1989), as Omar
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), as Foreman — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Roseanne* (1988), series, as IRS Office Supervisor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md)
- *The Appointments of Dennis Jennings* (1988), as Bartender
- *Big Business* (1988), as Desk Clerk
- *Ironweed* (1987), as Jack
- *Moonstruck* (1987), as Shy Waiter — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/moonstruck.md)
- *Matewan* (1987), as Fausto
- *One Police Plaza* (1986), as Insp. Nicolas Zambrano
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Dominic Nuzzi
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Hot Dog Vendor
- *F/X* (1986), as Mickey
- *Bad Medicine* (1985), as Gómez
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Lt. Vocek
- *Brewster's Millions* (1985), as J.B. Donaldo
- *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Kapatkin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *The Flamingo Kid* (1984), as Mario Minetta
- *The Pope of Greenwich Village* (1984), as Jimmy the Cheese Man
- *Splash* (1984), as Manny — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/splash.md)
- *Will There Really Be a Morning?* (1983), as Wyler
- *Still of the Night* (1982), as Joseph Vitucci
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Bud Bullard
- *The Elephant Man* (1982), as Pinhead Manager
- *Honky Tonk Freeway* (1981), as Osvaldo
- *The Gentleman Bandit* (1981), as Det. Esposito
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, as Ronnie Delacroce — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Hide in Plain Sight* (1980), as Matty Stanek
- *Something Short of Paradise* (1979), as Barney Collins
- *The Deer Hunter* (1978), as Bandleader — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-deer-hunter.md)
- *On the Yard* (1978), as Morris
- *Secret Service* (1977), as Cpl. Matson
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Cpl. Matson

## Gallery

- ![Joe Grifasi](https://film.one/media/person/78242/gallery-0479aaf055f1.jpg) Joe Grifasi — Image via TMDB
- ![Joe Grifasi](https://film.one/media/person/78242/gallery-94d6374a37c9.jpg) Joe Grifasi — 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/joe-grifasi