Danny Aiello
Actor · Since 1973
Known for
Danny Aiello was an American actor born in Manhattan who came late to the profession but built an unforgettable gallery of neighborhood Italian-Americans. He worked in 'The Godfather Part II', 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' and 'Moonstruck', and above all brought to life Sal, the pizzeria owner of Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing', a role that earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His filmography also includes 'Once Upon a Time in America', 'Léon: The Professional' and the miniseries 'The Last Don'. Of stocky build and rugged warmth, he embodied ordinary men whose dignity and contradictions surfaced with disarming naturalness.
Danny Aiello
Actor · Since 1973
71 Movies · 11 Series
Danny Aiello was an American actor born in Manhattan who came late to the profession but built an unforgettable gallery of neighborhood Italian-Americans. He worked in 'The Godfather Part II', 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' and 'Moonstruck', and above all brought to life Sal, the pizzeria owner of Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing', a role that earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His filmography also includes 'Once Upon a Time in America', 'Léon: The Professional' and the miniseries 'The Last Don'. Of stocky build and rugged warmth, he embodied ordinary men whose dignity and contradictions surfaced with disarming naturalness.
Movies
Plays Old Tony
Léon: The Professional
1994
Plays Tony Rosato
The Godfather Part II
1974
Plays Police Chief Aiello
Once Upon a Time in America
1984
Plays Roth
Lucky Number Slevin
2006
Plays Sal
Do the Right Thing
1989
Plays Louis
Jacob's Ladder
1990
Plays Danny Garoni
The Protector
1985
Plays Tommy Five-Tone
Hudson Hawk
1991
Plays Mr. Johnny Cammareri
Moonstruck
1987
Plays Major Hamilton
Prêt-à-Porter
1994
Plays Phil Cantone
Harlem Nights
1989
Plays Carlo
Little Italy
2018
Plays Frank Anselmo
City Hall
1996
Plays Monk
The Purple Rose of Cairo
1985
Plays Louis Cropa
Dinner Rush
2000
Plays Carmine Rasso
Mistress
1992
Plays Joseph Donatello
The Neighborhood
2017
Plays Frank Pesce Sr.
29th Street
1991
Plays Vickers
The Stuff
1985
Plays Dosmo Pizzo
2 Days in the Valley
1996
Plays Phil Harper
The Pick-up Artist
1987
Plays Captain Vincent Alcoa
The January Man
1989
Plays Rocco
Radio Days
1987
Plays Conti
Man on Fire
1987
Plays Father Paul
Reach Me
2014
Plays Gene
Two Much
1995
Plays Charlie Buick
White Hot
1989
Plays Danny LaGattuta
The Front
1976
Plays Tony Santini
Mail Order Bride
2003
Plays Joe McGuinness
One Moment
2021
Plays Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
1990
Plays Ben Katz
The Cemetery Club
1993
Plays Fabrizio Benini
Off Key
2001
Plays Master of Ceremonies
The Hustler of Money
1987
Plays Morgan
Fort Apache, the Bronx
1981
Plays Horse
Bang the Drum Slowly
1973
Plays Philip Devereaux
Wilbur Falls
1998
Plays Vincent Dianni
18 Shades of Dust
1999
Plays Joe Bella
Once Around
1991
Plays Sal Carvello
Hide in Plain Sight
1980
Plays Jack Ruby
Ruby
1992
Plays Pop
The Last Request
2006
Plays Al
Mojave Moon
1996
Plays Mr. Bruckner
Old Enough
1984
Plays Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")
Madonna: Celebration - The Video Collection
2009
Plays Harry Stone
The Pickle
1993
Plays Johnson
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash
1981
Plays Danny Parente
A Brooklyn State of Mind
1998
Plays Mr. Rathbone
Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis
1997
Plays Noah Cairn
Prince of Central Park
2000
TV Shows
Producer
Plays Anthony Dellaventura
Dellaventura
1997
Plays Lt. Terry McNichols
Lady Blue
1985
Plays Don Domenico Clericuzio
The Last Don
1997
Plays Randy Powers
Blood Feud
1983
Plays Don Domenico Clericuzio
The Last Don II
1998
Plays Skip Mazarelli
On Our Own
1977
Plays Lt. Phil Lombardi
The Andros Targets
1977
Plays Gene Halley
Nurse
1981
Plays Tommy Vale
Tales from the Darkside
1984
Plays Matty
Kojak
1973
Plays Danny Aiello (voice)
Difficult People
2015
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
One Moment
Full Filmography 82
One Moment
Joe McGuinness
2021
Making a Deal with the Devil
Mario
2019
The Last Big Save
Louis Brown
2019
Little Italy
Carlo
2018
The Neighborhood
Joseph Donatello
2017
Difficult People
Danny Aiello (voice)
2017Season 3
Henry & Me
Dr. Acosta (voice)
2014
Reach Me
Father Paul
2014
Stiffs
Frank Tramontana
2010
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Danny Aiello still alive?
Danny Aiello passed away on December 12, 2019 at age 86.
What are the most famous roles of Danny Aiello?
Danny Aiello is best known for roles in Léon: The Professional, The Godfather Part II, Once Upon a Time in America.
How many movies has Danny Aiello been in?
Over a 46-year career (since 1973), Danny Aiello has appeared in 70 movies and 11 TV shows.
What was Danny Aiello's first movie?
The career of Danny Aiello began with Bang the Drum Slowly (1973).
What is Danny Aiello's most recent movie or series?
Danny Aiello's most recent release is One Moment, which premiered on March 20, 2021.
What TV shows has Danny Aiello appeared in?
On television, Danny Aiello has appeared in Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Kojak, Tales from the Darkside.
Danny Aiello
1933-06-20 · Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. (June 20, 1933 – December 12, 2019) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous films, including The Godfather Part II (1974), The Front (1976), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Moonstruck (1987), Harlem Nights (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), Ruby (1992), Léon: The Professional (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), Dinner Rush (2000), and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). He had a pivotal role in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing (1989) as Salvatore "Sal" Frangione, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also played Don Domenico Clericuzio in the miniseries The Last Don (1997).