Status: Emmy Award winning actor, author and artist.
DOB: “I’m an old SOB – April 30.” In: New York City
Hobbies/Interests: “I paint when I’m brooding. If I can’t sleep and I’m up at night, I’m throwing some paint on canvas. Most is terrible, some is good. But I stick it up on the wall anyway. As an actor/writer, it overlaps hobbies. That’s where my enthusiasm is – acting/writing.”
Favorite Movies: “I was knocked out by Besieged by Bertolucci. Just a gorgeous movie. Great filmmaker. And, of course, Casablanca. The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Victor MacLaglen.”
Favorite TV Show: “Law & Order – which won me an Emmy. I’m prejudiced [smiles].”
Musical Tastes: “The three Irish baritones. They’re a pisser. Magnificent. But I’m open for all music – classical, pop. Don’t get much out of the rap though, maybe I’m too old.”
Favorite Meal: “Haha, I guess macaroni and meatballs.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “None. I’ll eat bacon or a piece of meat.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
First Job: “Boy oh boy, loading cases for Pepsi Cola in a factory in Long Island City (age 15).”
Pre-Performance Feeling: “Close to sleep as possible. Where tension is as gone as possible. Tension is debilitating. Close to sleep as possible. Do whatever I have to do to get there.”
Early Career Memory: “Very early I played a soap opera – Edge Of Night – three or four performances in it. About 40 years ago. I was on the bus and a lady with a package under her arm keeps looking at me. It was my first professional job. She recognized me. I was so thrilled that she knew me I wouldn’t let her alone [smiles]. Carried her packages all the way home to Corona. I needed to hear more criticism [laughs]!”
Greatest Career Moment: “Of my career…oddly enough, it was being…I was trying hard to get in Mickey Blue Eyes. I had to go back a few times (for auditions). I really wanted the work. And the last time I went was with Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley and the director. They ran, all three down the hall, saying, ‘Please work with us in our movie. We need you bad.’ They decided right then. Right after Christmas, so it was very nice. At first I thought I stole something. Such a great feeling. Usually they make you wait.”
Most Painful Moment: “One moment – I won’t say what movie, when they eliminated a couple of scenes – just before an exhibition. And the movie flopped. A shame. They didn’t have to cut those scenes. I was in those scenes.”
Funny Memory: “Doing a play with Robert DeNiro – ‘Cuba And His Teddy Bear’ at the Public Theatre. Big success, in ‘85. Ralph Macchio. Then we took it to Broadway. A fight scene on stage. And the door handle broke off when we banged into the door. We were on stage but we were supposed to be off. I jump out of view. I look at DeNiro and he’s cracking up, trying to break the door down. Fun to see him laughing his ass off. The producer had to stand up in the audience to say, There was a little technical problem.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Boy, that’s hard. Would you believe I never went on vacation. My girlfriend has to plan wherever I go when I’m working.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Generosity – whether it’s pocketbook or spiritual. Usually if he’s tight-fisted, he’s tight in all ways.”
Career Accomplishments: Performed roles in such films as Rocky, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Once Upon A Time In America, Last Exit To Brooklyn, Amityville II: The Possession. Acted in TV shows: Miami Vice, The Sopranos, Baretta, Law & Order, M*A*S*H.
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Topics: Baritones, Bertolucci, Breakfast Cereal, Burt Young, Career Moment, City Hobbies, Classical Pop, Edge Of Night, Elizabeth Hurley, Favorite Tv Show, First Job, Hobbies Interests, Hugh Grant, Loading Cases, Mickey Blue Eyes, Pepsi Cola, Piece Of Meat, Professional Job, Quiet Man, Soap Opera
Biofile with Burt Young | 