Dominic Chianese’s professional acting career began with AMERICAN SAVAYARDS in 1952 at the Jan Lees Off-Broadway theater, leading to his first professional U. S. tour in Gilbert and Sullivan’s THE MIKADO and PATIENCE. He was awarded an undergraduate prize for acting at Brooklyn College, his alma mater. He went on to act in dramas and musicals at regional theaters, including Arena Stage, Center Stage, Yale Repertory, Long Wharf Theater, Walnut St. Theater, and the NY Shakespeare Festival, among others, from 1958 to 1998.
His Broadway appearances include David Mamet’s WATER ENGINE, Archibald MacLeslie’s SCRATCH, and THE ROSE TATOO. He began his film career in 1971 with the film FUZZ, and 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 the recent NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN.
Other noted films include: AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN, SECOND SIGHT, IF LUCY FELL, and CRADLE WILL ROCK. His TV credits include: LAW & ORDER (a recurring role), KOJAK, EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE, BEACON HILL, and DARK SHADOWS.
Chianese currently plays Uncle Junior on HBO’s Original Series, THE SOPRANOS. He also has a new album out called HITS, a compilation of different music styles.
Dominic Chianese was nominated for the 2001 Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his role as Corrado Uncle Junior Soprano.