DANNY AIELLO
Name: Danny Aiello
Born: 20 June 1933 New York, New York, U.S.
Daniel Louis Aiello, Jr. (born June 20, 1933) is an American actor who has
appeared in numerous motion pictures, including Once Upon a Time in America,
Ruby, The Godfather: Part II, Hudson Hawk, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Moonstruck,
Léon: The Professional, Two Days in the Valley, and Dinner Rush. He also had a
role in the 1989 Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, for which he was nominated
for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1990 for his portrayal of Sal, the
pizzeria owner.
Aiello, the second youngest of six children, was born in Manhattan, the son
of Italian American parents Frances (née Pietrocova), a seamstress who was a
native of Naples, Italy, and Daniel Louis Aiello, Sr., a laborer. He
moved to the South Bronx when he was seven and attended James Monroe High School.
At sixteen years old, Aiello lied about his age in order to enlist in the U.S.
Army. After serving for three years, he returned to NYC and did various jobs in
order to support himself and later his family. Aiello also once served as a
union representative for Greyhound bus workers, and was a night club bouncer.
In 1981 Danny Aiello won a Daytime Emmy award for his appearance in the ABC
After school special, 'A Family of Strangers'.
Aiello played the title character in the video for Madonna's song "Papa Don't
Preach." Aiello has released several albums of big band music.
Name: Danny Aiello
Born: 20 June 1933 New York, New York, U.S.
Daniel Louis Aiello, Jr. (born June 20, 1933) is an American actor who has
appeared in numerous motion pictures, including Once Upon a Time in America,
Ruby, The Godfather: Part II, Hudson Hawk, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Moonstruck,
Léon: The Professional, Two Days in the Valley, and Dinner Rush. He also had a
role in the 1989 Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, for which he was nominated
for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1990 for his portrayal of Sal, the
pizzeria owner.
Aiello, the second youngest of six children, was born in Manhattan, the son
of Italian American parents Frances (née Pietrocova), a seamstress who was a
native of Naples, Italy, and Daniel Louis Aiello, Sr., a laborer. He
moved to the South Bronx when he was seven and attended James Monroe High School.
At sixteen years old, Aiello lied about his age in order to enlist in the U.S.
Army. After serving for three years, he returned to NYC and did various jobs in
order to support himself and later his family. Aiello also once served as a
union representative for Greyhound bus workers, and was a night club bouncer.
In 1981 Danny Aiello won a Daytime Emmy award for his appearance in the ABC
After school special, 'A Family of Strangers'.
Aiello played the title character in the video for Madonna's song "Papa Don't
Preach." Aiello has released several albums of big band music.