Joe Pesci is an American Actor and musician best known for playing tough and volatile roles in a variety of film genres. He was born on 9 February 1943 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. His birth name is Joseph Frank Pesci but he is known by his stage name Joe Pesci. Some of his famous and critically acclaimed films include Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), and Casino (1995).
Joe has recorded 3 studio albums including Little Joe Sure Can Sing! (1968), Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You (1998), and Pesci…Still Singing (2019). He has won Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his gangster role in ‘Goodfellas.’ In 1999, he announced his retirement but returned to acting in 4 films. He has been a part of this industry since 1961.
Joe Pesci has an estimated net worth of $50 million as of 2023.
Joe Pesci Early Life
Joseph Frank Pesci was born on 9 February 1943 in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Joe’s mother Maria (Mesce) worked as a part-time barber. His father Angelo Pesci worked as a bartender and he also served as a Forklift, and truck driver for General Motors. He is from Italian lineage and his family originated from Turin and Aquilonia in the province of Avellino. Joe grew up in Belleville, New Jersey. He spent his childhood around numerous Mafia guys. At the age of five, he started appearing in plays in New York.
He received his high school education from ‘Belleville High School.’ By the time Joe turned 10 years old, he became a part of the main cast of a variety show called ‘Startime Kids.’ In his teenage life, he became friends with famous singers including Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito. In 1959, he introduced Frankie and Tommy to singer and songwriter Bob Gaudio and helped them form a band ‘The Four Seasons.’
Joe Pesci Career
In 1960, Joe Pesci followed his mother’s steps and began working as a barber. Concurrently, he developed his interest in music so he tried to start a musical career. He started playing guitar with different bands including Joey Dee and the Starliters. In 1968, Joe issued his debut album ‘Little Joe Sure Can Sing!’ He sang covers of contemporary pop hits. From 1970-1976, He performed as ‘Vincent & Pesci’ in a comedy duo with Frank Vincent. In 1975, the duo appeared in the Broadway show ‘The New Vaudevillians.’ The show lasted for one week only. In 1976, Joe alongside Frank Vincent starred in his first low-budget crime film ‘The Death Collector.’ After his film, Joe moved back to The Bronx. He started living above Amici’s Restaurant where he used to work once.
In 1979, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro offered him to co-star as Joey La Motta in a biographical sports drama film ‘Raging Bull.’ He even broke one of his ribs during filming. In the course of the next few years, Joe appeared in many small films including Dear Mr. Wonderful (1982), Eureka (1983), and Easy Money (1983). In 1984, he alongside De Niro starred in a crime film ‘Once Upon a Time in America.’ He also appeared as a private detective ‘Rocky Nelson’ in a comedy series ‘Half Nelson.’
In 1988, Joe starred in the musical anthology film by Michael Jackson called ‘Moonwalker.’ He played the role of antagonist, crime boss Frankie ‘Mr.Big’ LiDeo in the sixth and longest segment of a film called “Smooth Criminal.” In 1989, 1992, and 1998, he appeared as Leo Getz, the comic sidekick to protagonist detectives Martin Riggs, and Roger Murtaugh in the sequel of “Lethal Weapon.” In 1990, Joe reunited with De Niro and Scorsese for the film ‘Goodfellas.’ He appeared as mobster Tommy DeVito and his friend Frank Vincent was also a part of the film.
In 1990, he also co-starred as Harry Lyme in the blockbuster Christmas comedy film ‘Home Alone.’ After two years he repeated his bumbling burglar role in the sequel ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.’ In 1991, he appeared as David Ferrie in a political thriller film ‘JFK.’ IN 1992, he played the title character in the comedy film ‘My Cousin Vinny.’ In the same year, he starred as Leon Bernstein, a photographer in a crime thriller film, ‘The Public Eye.’ On 10 October 1992, Joe hosted a sketch comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live.’
In 1993, he played the role of Carmine in a coming-of-age crime film, ‘A Bronx Tale.’ In 1994, he played the dramatic role of a homeless man living on the campus of Harvard in the film ‘With Honors.’ In 1995, Joe collaborated with Scorsese and Di Nitro for the third time and appeared as Nicky Santoro in the film ‘Casino.’ In the course of shooting, Joe broke the same rib he had broken during the filming of ‘Raging Bull.’
He played various roles in different films including, Man on Fire (1987), The Super (1991), Jimmy Hollywood (1994), and Gone Fishin’ (1997).
In 1998, Joe released his second album called ‘Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You.’ It was his first album in 30 years and he named it after his character from the film ‘My Cousin Vinny’ (1992). His second album is both amusing and serious with a variety of genres. But most of it is big and jazz.
In 1999, Joe retired from acting to pursue his musical career. He wants to enjoy his life away from the camera. In 2006, he returned to film a cameo in De Niro’s film, ‘The Good Shepherd.’ In 2010, Joe together with Helen Mirren appeared in a brothel drama, ‘Love Ranch.’ In 2011, he appeared in a ‘snickers chocolate bar advertisement with Don Rickles. In 2016, Joe starred in a music documentary ‘Jimmy Scott: I Go Back Home.’ In 2017, he starred in Martin Scorsese’s crime film ‘The Irishman alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. On 1 November 2019, The Irishman was released in a few theaters. Later on, 27 November 2019, The Irishman digitally streamed it on Netflix. On 29 November 2019, he came back to music with his third album, titled ‘Pesci… Still Singing.’
Joe Pesci’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Joe Pesci has an estimated net worth of $0 million.
Joe Pesci Income Source
Now if we look into his source of income, Joe Pesci has earned most of his wealth from his acting career. Apart from being an actor, he has also earned from his music profession. He earned it by serving as a guitarist in various bands. His highest-paid film is ‘GoodFellas.’
Joe Pesci Awards & Achievements
Joe Pesci has received numerous awards for his outstanding performances in both the acting and musical industries. In 1981, he won the ‘BAFTA Film Award’ for Newcomer to Leading Film Roles for ‘Raging Bull.’ In 1991, Joe received the ‘Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the film, ‘Goodfellas.’ He also received nominations for ‘Golden Globe Awards’, ‘Golden Raspberry Awards’, and ‘Screen Actor Guild Awards.’ In 1993, he won an ‘American Comedy Award’ for the film ‘My Cousin Vinny.’ Joe has also received from film critic associations in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Joe Pesci Real Estate
In 1994, Joe Pesci purchased an 8-bedroom mansion worth $850,000 located on the Jersey Shore. In 2019, he set up the mansion for sale at a market value worth $6.5 million. The mansion is built on 7200 square feet including glass walls, a spiral staircase, an elevator, and a deck with a heating swimming pool. In October 2021, he sold the house for an unknown price.
Conclusion
Joe Pesci is an American actor and musician whose net worth is $50 million as of 2023. Joe is best known for various roles from violent mobster to comedic leads to quirky sidekicks. He has earned most of his wealth from his acting and music career. Joe has won awards including BAFTA Film Award, and Academy Award.
