---
name: "Jon Polito"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jon-polito"
fi1m_id: "jon-polito"
imdb_id: "nm0689237"
tmdb_id: 4253
wikidata_id: "Q203205"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 December 1950"
died: "1 September 2016"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-24T04:00:34.785252+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."
---

# Jon Polito

## Identity

Jon Polito

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jon-polito
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jon-polito
- **IMDb ID:** nm0689237
- **TMDB ID:** 4253
- **Wikidata ID:** Q203205
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Polito, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203205, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689237/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4253

Actor. Born 29 December 1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Died 1 September 2016.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 December 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Died:** 1 September 2016
- **Active:** 1986–2014
- **Frequently works with:** [Ethan Coen](https://film.one/person/ethan-coen.md), [Joel Coen](https://film.one/person/joel-coen.md), [John Turturro](https://film.one/person/john-turturro.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 75 (1), 1990s 79 (7), 2000s 68 (2), 2010s 64 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 71 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 5, Crime 5, Fantasy 3, Adventure 2, Mystery 2
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $422m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Polito, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203205, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689237/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4253

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Highlander*](https://film.one/film/highlander.md) (75)
- **Apple TV:** [*Big Eyes*](https://film.one/film/big-eyes.md) (64)

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

## Fi1m on Jon Polito

> Jon Polito makes a blustering gangster funny by taking his authority seriously. We rate his work with the Coen brothers highly; the trouble came when other film-makers wanted him to play Johnny Caspar again.

Johnny Caspar is taking the business of being a gangster seriously in *Miller's Crossing* (1990), and Polito lets that become funny without pointing it out. We laughed because he sounds personally invested in the dialogue, rather than pleased with himself for delivering it. Albert Finney's Leo gives the film a similar human weight when the plotting threatens to become too clever. They are a substantial reason we recommend it, with the caveat that keeping track of its complications can sometimes keep us at a distance.

Polito had already had recurring television work in *Crime Story* (1986–88), but Caspar began his five-film association with Joel and Ethan Coen. The stocky build and raspy voice made him readily cast as a hood or an authority figure. The Coens also wrote Lou Breeze, the sad-faced studio functionary in *Barton Fink* (1991), specifically for him. We like that film's uncomfortable comedy, though its treatment of the unhappy writer grows repetitive. Casting Polito inside a studio hierarchy rather than a criminal one makes sense: professional standing is something his characters can take painfully seriously.

He was a regular in *Homicide: Life on the Street* in 1993–94, playing Detective Steve Crosetti. In *The Big Lebowski* (1998), he was the private investigator Da Fino. These parts sit close to the cops and criminals for which he was regularly cast. That familiarity is a limitation worth acknowledging, even in an actor we enjoy. The question is how much an individual script gives him beyond a recognisable occupation and a voice.

Polito recognised the problem himself, complaining that film-makers who said they had written a role for him had often merely rewritten *Miller's Crossing*. Caspar's success could make the next offer sound suspiciously like the last. What we value in that performance is the conviction he brings to words that invite an easy caricature. Start with *Miller's Crossing* if a complicated gangster plot is your idea of an evening off.

## Biography

Jon Polito (1950–2016) was an American actor. He appeared in five films by the Coen brothers, including as the gangster Johnny Caspar in *Miller's Crossing* (1990) and as Lou Breeze in *Barton Fink* (1991).

Polito had an extensive career in film and television, with over 220 credits. His television roles included Detective Steve Crosetti in the first two seasons of *Homicide: Life on the Street* and Phil Bartoli in the first season of *Crime Story*. He began in theatre, appearing on Broadway and receiving an Obie Award for off-Broadway work.

Other notable film appearances include *The Crow* (1994), *The Big Lebowski* (1998), *American Gangster* (2007) and *Big Eyes* (2014).

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

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Big Eyes* (2014), Fi1m 64, as Enrico Banducci — [page](https://film.one/film/big-eyes.md)
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Mr. Sharipa — [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), Fi1m 81, as Creighton Tolliver — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)
- *Stuart Little* (1999), Fi1m 66, as Officer Sherman — [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), Fi1m 85, as Private Snoop — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Mr. Bumstead — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Fallen Angels* (1993), Fi1m 72, as Al Reseck — [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), Fi1m 89, as Steve Crosetti — [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Barton Fink* (1991), Fi1m 83, as Lou Breeze — [page](https://film.one/film/barton-fink.md)
- *Miller's Crossing* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Johnny Caspar — [page](https://film.one/film/millers-crossing.md)
- *Highlander* (1986), Fi1m 75, as Det. Walter Bedsoe — [page](https://film.one/film/highlander.md)

## Complete filmography (175)

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

- *The Maestro* (2018), as Herbert Englehart
- *Big Eyes* (2014), as Enrico Banducci — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/big-eyes.md)
- *Locker 13* (2014), as Don Dillon
- *Gangster Squad* (2013), as Dragna
- *Major Crimes* (2012), series, as Dino Kotero — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/major-crimes.md)
- *Robot and Monster* (2012), series, as Sir Cranklin (voice)
- *Batman: Year One* (2011), as Commissioner Loeb (voice)
- *ThunderCats* (2011), series, as Conquedor (voice)
- *From the Head* (2011), as Vinnie
- *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as 'Lucky' Louie Gianelli
- *Atlas Shrugged: Part I* (2011), as Orren Boyle
- *Son of Morning* (2011), as Mr. Bordasche
- *The Last Godfather* (2010), as Don Bonfante
- *DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection* (2010), as Police Captain (segment "The Spectre") (voice)
- *Venus & Vegas* (2010), as Frank
- *Ben 10: Ultimate Alien* (2010), series, as Mizaru (voice)
- *Burning Palms* (2010), as The Phamacist
- *DC Showcase: The Spectre* (2010), as Police Captain (voice)
- *Stiffs* (2010), as John "The Prince" Monaco
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Earl Chambers — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Glenn Martin, DDS* (2009), series, Actor
- *Super Capers* (2009), as Captain Sludge
- *Castle* (2009), series, as Harold Metzger — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Bertram Duesterberg — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Do Not Disturb* (2008), series, Actor
- *Raising the Bar* (2008), series, as Judge Dominick Ventimiglia
- *Animated American* (2008), as Max Rabbit
- *Bart Got a Room* (2008), as Bob
- *Rock Monster* (2008), as The Colonel
- *American Gangster* (2007), as Rossi
- *Chowder* (2007), series, as Funjl (voice)
- *Cougar Club* (2007), as Mr. Archibald
- *El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera* (2007), series, Actor
- *Happily N'Ever After* (2007), as Wolf #1 (voice)
- *Big Nothing* (2006), as Agent Hymes
- *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006), as Borough President
- *Grilled* (2006), as Leon Waterman
- *Cutting Room* (2006), as Sandy
- *Haeckel's Tale* (2006), as Montesquino
- *The Alibi* (2006), as Jimmy the Photographer
- *Masters of Horror* (2005), series, as Montesquino
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Joe Grimaldi
- *Ghost whisperer* (2005), series, as Joe Grimaldi
- *Threshold* (2005), series, as Nicky Frost
- *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Gino
- *The Honeymooners* (2005), as Kirby
- *Avatar: The Last Airbender* (2005), series, as Chief Arnook (voice)
- *Family Plan* (2005), as Gold
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Dr. Kalgary (voice)
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Vincent Discala
- *Gone But Not Forgotten* (2005), as Sam Oberhurst
- *Short Order* (2005), as Tony
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Charles Skouras — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *The Last Shot* (2004), as Wally Kamin
- *Charlie the Ox* (2004), as Freddy Boon
- *The Jury* (2004), series, Actor
- *The Singing Detective* (2003), as Second Hood
- *10-8: Officers on Duty* (2003), series, as Enzo Fontana
- *The Lyon's Den* (2003), series, Actor
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Mr. Sharipa — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as The Cleaner
- *The Box* (2003), as Michael Dickerson
- *View from the Top* (2003), as Roy Roby
- *Oliver Beene* (2003), series, as Mr. Rayfield
- *Black Mask 2: City of Masks* (2002), as King
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Jimmy Fusco
- *Push, Nevada* (2002), series, Actor
- *29 Palms* (2002), as The Security Guard
- *She Spies* (2002), series, as Edward Malloy
- *Monk* (2002), series, as George Gionopolis
- *A Film by Kirk* (2002), as Father
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), as Creighton Tolliver — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Mr. Summers
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Dick
- *The Shrink Is In* (2001), as Judge Bob
- *Mimic 2* (2001), as Morrie Deaver
- *The Chronicle* (2001), series, as Donald Stern
- *The Tailor of Panama* (2001), as Ramon Rudd
- *Boys Life 3* (2000), Actor
- *The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas!* (2000), as Virgil (voice)
- *Gilmore Girls* (2000), series, as Pete — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md)
- *The Dancing Pumpkin* (2000), as Finkgrinder The Ogre
- *The Invisible Man* (2000), as Eddie The Mammoth
- *The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle* (2000), as Schoentell
- *The Invisible Man* (2000), series, as Eddie The Mammoth
- *Homicide: The Movie* (2000), as Steve Crosetti
- *After Sex* (2000), as Naldo (as John Polito)
- *Flies on Cupid* (2000), as Giorgio Gagantano
- *Stuart Little* (1999), as Officer Sherman — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *The Apartment Complex* (1999), as Dr Caligari
- *Popular* (1999), series, as Caesar Croutons
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as D.A. Gerald Abner
- *Road Kill* (1999), as Jelly
- *Angel's Dance* (1999), as Uncle Vinnie
- *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Major (voice)
- *Carlo's Wake* (1999), as Uncle Gus
- *Becker* (1998), series, as Leonard Nagle
- *With Friends Like These* (1998), as Rudy Ptak
- *Money Play$* (1998), as Lou Spano
- *Russell Mulcahy’s Tale of the Mummy* (1998), as Parsons
- *Music from Another Room* (1998), as Lorenzo Palmieri
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), as Private Snoop — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *The Defenders: Choice of Evils* (1998), as D.A. Al Orsini
- *Nowhere Land* (1998), as Frank
- *Over the Top* (1997), series, Actor
- *Jenny* (1997), series, as Sid Bouchie
- *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show* (1997), series, Actor
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Mr. Lehman
- *The Corporate Ladder* (1997), as Mr. Deacon
- *Invasion* (1997), series, as Detective Kemper
- *Fired Up* (1997), series, as Sam Harris
- *Inside Out* (1997), as Paparazzi Man
- *Just Your Luck* (1996), as Nick
- *Millennium* (1996), series, as Eddie Scarpino Giannini
- *Early Edition* (1996), series, as Cliff Mourning, Louie DeFozio
- *The Pretender* (1996), series, as Ben Hansel, Constantin Falzone
- *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Roland Margolis
- *Swift Justice* (1996), series, as Tom Luddy
- *Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco* (1996), as Ashcan (voice)
- *The Invaders* (1995), series, as Whitley
- *High Society* (1995), series, as Alvin
- *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as The Baby (voice), Stansfield
- *Bushwhacked* (1995), as Agent Palmer
- *Fluke* (1995), as Boss
- *The Shaggy Dog* (1994), as Detective Al
- *Bad Blood* (1994), as Councilman Strand
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Bill Ranford
- *New York Undercover* (1994), series, Actor
- *Blankman* (1994), as Michael "The Suit" Minelli
- *Girls in Prison* (1994), as Boss Johnson
- *Rebel Highway* (1994), series, as Boss Ed Johnson
- *The Crow* (1994), as Gideon
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), as Mr. Bumstead — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Tony Renaldo
- *Viper* (1994), series, as Councilman Strand
- *Viper* (1994), as Councilman Strand
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Paul Biaggi — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *Fallen Angels* (1993), series, as Al Reseck — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Steve Crosetti — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Ralphy
- *Leather Jackets* (1992), as Fat Jack
- *Flodder Does Manhattan!* (1992), as Larry Rosenbaum
- *Hearts Are Wild* (1992), series, Actor
- *Barton Fink* (1991), as Lou Breeze — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/barton-fink.md)
- *The Rocketeer* (1991), as Bigelow
- *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Ty Warner (voice)
- *Miller's Crossing* (1990), as Johnny Caspar — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/millers-crossing.md)
- *The Freshman* (1990), as Chuck Greenwald
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Louie
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Silvio — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Nikos Stano
- *Memories of Manon* (1989), as Carmack
- *Homeboy* (1988), as Moe Fingers
- *Alone in the Neon Jungle* (1988), as Brad Stakowski
- *Ohara* (1987), series, Actor
- *Critical Condition* (1987), as Kline
- *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Phil Bartoli
- *Crime Story: Pilot* (1986), as Phil Bartoli
- *The Princess and the Call Girl* (1986), as Private Detective
- *Fire with Fire* (1986), as Boss Duchard
- *A Deadly Business* (1986), as Vitola
- *Highlander* (1986), as Det. Walter Bedsoe — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/highlander.md)
- *Dream Lover* (1986), as Dr. James
- *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins* (1985), as Zack
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Gianni, Carmack, Gene Carmack, David Pfieffer
- *Compromising Positions* (1985), as 1st Cop
- *Death of a Salesman* (1985), as Howard
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Lieutenant Peter DiMartini
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as El Gato — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *C.H.U.D.* (1984), as Newscaster
- *A Good Sport* (1984), as Man in Taxi
- *Running Out* (1983), as Joe Poswalsky
- *The Clairvoyant* (1982), as Detective Sporaco
- *Gangster Wars* (1981), as Thomas "Three Fingers Brown" Lucchese
- *The Gangster Chronicles* (1981), series, as Tommy Lucchese

## Gallery

- ![Jon Polito](https://film.one/media/person/77365/gallery-8df1c6c92583.jpg) Jon Polito — Image via TMDB
- ![Jon Polito](https://film.one/media/person/77365/gallery-900d330db7b2.jpg) Jon Polito — 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/jon-polito