--- name: "Joe Pesci" canonical: "https://film.one/person/joe-pesci" fi1m_id: "joe-pesci" imdb_id: "nm0000582" tmdb_id: 4517 wikidata_id: "Q20178" roles: ["Actor"] born: "9 February 1943" reviewed_on_fi1m: 13 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 13 updated: "2026-10-09T19:25:11.315117+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 Pesci ## Identity Joe Pesci - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joe-pesci - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** joe-pesci - **IMDb ID:** nm0000582 - **TMDB ID:** 4517 - **Wikidata ID:** Q20178 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Pesci, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000582/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4517 Actor. Born 9 February 1943 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 9 February 1943, Newark, New Jersey, USA - **Active:** 1980–2019 - **Also known as:** Joseph Frank Pesci, Joey Dee - **Frequently works with:** [Robert De Niro](https://film.one/person/robert-de-niro.md), [Martin Scorsese](https://film.one/person/martin-scorsese.md), [Danny Glover](https://film.one/person/danny-glover.md), [Joel Silver](https://film.one/person/joel-silver.md), [Mel Gibson](https://film.one/person/mel-gibson.md), [Richard Donner](https://film.one/person/richard-donner.md), [Chris Columbus](https://film.one/person/chris-columbus.md), [Daniel Stern](https://film.one/person/daniel-stern.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 2 nominated) - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 13 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 72 (4), 1990s 74 (7), 2000s 64 (1), 2010s 86 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 12 titles - **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 13 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Crime 7, Drama 7, Thriller 5, History 4, Action 3, Comedy 2 - **Screen time:** 31 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,236m across 13 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Pesci, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000582/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4517 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Home Alone*](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md) (80), [*Home Alone 2: Lost in New York*](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md) (63) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Raging Bull*](https://film.one/film/raging-bull.md) (91) - **Netflix:** [*The Irishman*](https://film.one/film/the-irishman.md) (86) - **Tubi:** [*Casino*](https://film.one/film/casino.md) (82) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Joe Pesci > Joe Pesci makes quick talk both funny and dangerous, but we value him for more than the threat of an outburst. Beside Robert De Niro in *Raging Bull*, that quickness gives someone else a chance to be heard. In *Raging Bull* (1980), Joe Pesci makes a conversation with Robert De Niro’s Jake briefly feel less dangerous. He plays Joey LaMotta with a quickness that matters in a film where Jake gives other people so little room to speak. We felt relief in those exchanges: Pesci’s quick delivery briefly eased the strain of being in Jake’s company. He holds our attention beside De Niro without making every encounter a contest for it. That is why we would start with Joey rather than with one of the gangsters. Martin Scorsese gives Pesci and Cathy Moriarty, as Vickie, space to make us interested in people Jake would rather speak for. In Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader’s screenplay, getting heard is difficult; Pesci makes the effort lively without making Jake’s behaviour comfortable to watch. The repeated confrontations can weary us, but the supporting performances keep us curious about someone other than the man at the centre. *Raging Bull* began his association with Scorsese and De Niro, and *GoodFellas* (1990) made the volatile gangster central to his reputation. As Tommy DeVito there, and Nicky Santoro in *Casino* (1995), he supplied the menace for which he became known. His high voice and rapid New Jersey delivery make humour and aggression sound uncomfortably close. The comic timing also has a more straightforward use in *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989) and *Home Alone* (1990). But some of the 1990s roles settled for another helping of the familiar manner, a limitation of the casting as much as the actor. After largely stepping back from acting in the late 1990s, he returned to Scorsese and De Niro as mob boss Russell Bufalino in *The Irishman* (2019). We would not ask for another gangster simply because he has been so effective at playing them. Start with *Raging Bull*, and watch what he can do with a conversation that someone else is determined to dominate. ## Biography Joe Pesci is an American actor and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he began performing as a child on stage and in television variety shows, later pursuing music and acting. He gained recognition for his role as Joey LaMotta in Martin Scorsese’s *Raging Bull* (1980), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Pesci received the award in the same category for his portrayal of Tommy DeVito in *GoodFellas* (1990). He has collaborated frequently with Scorsese and Robert De Niro, appearing in *Casino* (1995) and *The Irishman* (2019). Other notable credits include the *Home Alone* films (1990, 1992) and the *Lethal Weapon* series as Leo Getz. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (13) - *The Irishman* (2019), Fi1m 86, as Russell Bufalino — [page](https://film.one/film/the-irishman.md) - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Joseph Palmi — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), Fi1m 55, as Leo Getz — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md) - *Casino* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Nicky Santoro — [page](https://film.one/film/casino.md) - *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Harry — [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md) - *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), Fi1m 64, as Leo Getz — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md) - *JFK* (1991), Fi1m 80, as David Ferrie — [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md) - *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Tommy DeVito — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md) - *Home Alone* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Harry — [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md) - *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Leo Getz — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md) - *Moonwalker* (1988), Fi1m 40, as Mr. Big — [page](https://film.one/film/moonwalker.md) - *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Frankie — [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-america.md) - *Raging Bull* (1980), Fi1m 91, as Joey LaMotta — [page](https://film.one/film/raging-bull.md) ## Complete filmography (45) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Day of the Fight* (2024), as Mike's Father · Executive Producer - *Yellow Door: '90s Lo-fi Film Club* (2023), as Joey LaMotta (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Bupkis* (2023), series, as Joe Larocca - *The Irishman* (2019), as Russell Bufalino — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-irishman.md) - *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage) - *Love Ranch* (2010), as Charlie Bontempo - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), as Joseph Palmi — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *Home Alone - Making of & Behind the Scenes* (1999), as Harry - *Lethal Weapon 4* (1998), as Leo Getz — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-4.md) - *Gone Fishin'* (1997), as Joe Waters - *8 Heads in a Duffel Bag* (1997), as Tommy - *Casino* (1995), as Nicky Santoro — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/casino.md) - *Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!* (1994), as Ronald Grump - *With Honors* (1994), as Simon Wilder - *Jimmy Hollywood* (1994), as Jimmy Alto - *A Bronx Tale* (1993), as Carmine - *The Pink Panther* (1993), series, Actor - *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as Joe Pesci - *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992), as Harry — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md) - *The Public Eye* (1992), as Leon Bernstein - *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), as Leo Getz — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-3.md) - *My Cousin Vinny* (1992), as Vinny Gambini - *JFK* (1991), as David Ferrie — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md) - *The Super* (1991), as Louie Kritski - *Home Alone* (1990), as Harry — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md) - *GoodFellas* (1990), as Tommy DeVito — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md) - *Betsy's Wedding* (1990), as Oscar Henner - *Catchfire* (1990), as Leo Carelli (uncredited) - *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), as Leo Getz — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Vic / Jack - *Moonwalker* (1988), as Mr. Big — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/moonwalker.md) - *The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway* (1988), as John Dos Passos - *Man on Fire* (1987), as David - *Half Nelson* (1985), series, as Rocky Nelson - *Half Nelson* (1985), as Rocky Nelson - *All for the Moral Majority!* (1984), as Corrado Parisi - *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), as Frankie — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-america.md) - *Easy Money* (1983), as Nicky Cerone - *Eureka* (1983), as Mayakofsky - *Dear Mr. Wonderful* (1982), as Ruby Dennis - *I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can* (1982), as Roger - *Raging Bull* (1980), as Joey LaMotta — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/raging-bull.md) - *Short Eyes* (1977), as Other Inmate (uncredited) - *Family Enforcer* (1976), as Joe - *Hey, Let's Twist!* (1961), as Peppermint Club Dancer (uncredited) ## Gallery - ![Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in GoodFellas (1990)](https://film.one/media/title/1295/still-7766372bd4dd.jpg) Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in *GoodFellas* (1990) — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino in The Irishman (2019)](https://film.one/media/title/1790/still-7556d2fafd44.jpg) Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino in *The Irishman* (2019) — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro in Casino (1995)](https://film.one/media/title/4390/still-f714db9776af.jpg) Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro in *Casino* (1995) — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci in 2009.](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-88869bc22093.jpg) Joe Pesci in 2009. — yausser, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/JoePesci-2009_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-JoePesci-2009_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Press photo from 1980 of Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci on the set on Raging Bull](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-d0931de2add4.jpg) Press photo from 1980 of Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci on the set on Raging Bull — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Cathy_Moriarty_and_Joe_Pesci%2C_1980.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Joe Pesci](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-da2a29bd9798.jpg) Joe Pesci — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-72f648cef93e.jpg) Joe Pesci — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-3a91de393e18.jpg) Joe Pesci — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-de01b5f4649d.jpg) Joe Pesci — Image via TMDB - ![Joe Pesci](https://film.one/media/person/59586/gallery-017b94d14bc5.jpg) Joe Pesci — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated - 2020: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *The Irishman* - 1991: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Goodfellas* - 1981: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Raging Bull* ### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won - 1981: Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (won), for *Raging Bull* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © 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-pesci