Dominic Chianese's professional acting career began with
American Savoyards in 1952 at the Jan Hus Off-Broadway Theater, leading to his first professional U.S. tour in Gilbert and Sullivan's
The Mikado and
Patience. He went on to act in dramas and musicals at regional theaters, including Arena Stage, Center Stage, Yale Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre, Walnut St. Theater, and the N.Y. Shakespeare Festival, among others, from 1958 to 1998. Chianese's Broadway appearances include
Richard III,
David Mamet's
Water Engine, Archibald MacLeish's
Scratch,
Tennessee Williams'
The Rose Tattoo, and
Requiem for a Heavyweight by
Rod Serling. His most recent stint on the stage was the
Irresistible Rise of Arturo Ui, a drama that also starred
Al Pacino,
John Goodman, the late
Tony Randall,
Steve Buscemi, and
Charles Durning. This summer, Dominic will be appearing in The Public Theatre's production of
Much Ado About Nothing with
Sam Waterston,
Jimmy Smits, and Kirsten Johnston.
Chianese began his film career in 1971 with the film Fuzz, and soon after landed the role of Johnny Ola in the classic Coppola film, The Godfather, Part II. This led to three more films with Sidney Lumet -- Dog Day Afternoon, Q&A, and Night Falls On Manhattan. Other noted films include: And Justice For All, All The President's Men, Second Sight, If Lucy Fell, and The Cradle Will Rock. Chianese's television credits include: Law & Order (a recurring role), Kojak, East Side, West Side, Beacon Hill, Dark Shadows, and most recently Hope & Faith. Dominic will also be seen in the upcoming ABC Family MOW Crimes of Fashion co-starring Kaley Cuoco.
Chianese currently plays Corrado Uncle Junior Soprano on The Sopranos. He was nominated for the 2001 and 2002 Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. Besides acting, he is also a singer/songwriter and has released two CDs: Hits, a compilation of different music styles, and his most recent, Ungrateful Heart, a collection of Italian Songs. He and his band, The Cement Sidewalkers, appear each Monday night in New York at Sofia's Restaurant on West 46th St and Broadway.