Table of Biography
Dominic Chianese is a multi-talented American actor, singer, and musician. Dominic Chianese is widely recognized for his roles as Corrado “Junior” Soprano on the HBO series “The Sopranos” (1999–2007), Johnny Ola in “The Godfather Part II” (1974), and Leander in “Boardwalk Empire” (2011–2013).
Early Life
Dominic Chianese was born on February 24, 1931, in the Bronx, New York City, New York, the United States. He is an American by nationality and belongs to Naples ethnicity.
Moreover, in 1904, his grandparents emigrated from Naples, the third-largest municipality in Italy where they live in the Bronx, New York. According to the astrological chart, he has a birth sign of Pisces and is currently 93 years old.
He wasthe son of Gaetano Chianese and Angelina Chianese. Moreover, his father was a bricklayer. However, there is not much information available regarding his siblings and childhood life.
Dominic Chianese – Education
In terms of his academics, he attended Bronx High School of Science. After graduating high school, he began working on construction jobs with his father while attending night school. In 1961, he graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA in speech and theatrical studies.
Professional Career
Dominic Chianese started her career in off-Broadway theatre. He became familiar with Off-Broadway plays and the touring repertory-theatre group ‘American Savoyards,’ in 1952, which prepared the door for national tours of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado and Patience.’
Later, he had his first professional acting classes at the ‘HB Studio’ in Manhattan, where he was taught by legendary American actor, director, and acting teacher Walt Witcover. He eventually acquired an interest in drama and musical theatre.
Moreover, he made his television debut in 1964, appearing as Charlie in an episode of the TV series “East Side/West Side.” He made his Broadway debut in ‘Oliver’ in 1965. Moreover, he began working for the New York Drug Commission in a rehabilitation center.
Breakthrough role
Additionally, he was cast as Johnny Ola in the sequel film “The Godfather Part II” produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1974. The film gave him initial recognition and made his way to other notable roles in films and TV, spanning various genres
Caption: Dominic Chianese in the sequel movie, The Godfather Part II (Source: IMDb)
He appears as Mr. Wortzik in the biographical crime film “Dog Day Afternoon” in 1975. The next year, he was cast as Eugenio R. Martinez in the biographical political thriller film “All the President’s Men.”
He also played George Mallick in an episode of the television series “Kojak” in 1976. In 1978, he appeared in two films “Fingers” as Arthur Fox and “On the Yard” as Mendoza.
The 1996 documentary film “Looking for Richard,’ directed by Al Pacino, also starred Dominic. He also appeared in numerous plays alongside Al Pacino. In 1981, he portrayed Alexei Vartova in 40 episodes of the popular American soap opera “Ryan’s Hope,” which broadcast on ABC for 13 years, beginning in July 1975.
Continued appearing in TV series and movies
He played Orlov in “Firepower” and Carl Travers in “And Justice for All” in 1979. Moreover, he played Promoter in the television series “A Time for Miracles” in 1980. Additionally, he played Corelli’s father in the 1981 film “Fort Apache, the Bronx.” He also played Alexei Vartova in the television series “Ryan’s Hope.”
He played Corelli’s father in “Tales from the Darkside” in 1986. Moreover, he appeared in “Second Sight” as Father Dominic and “L.A. Law” as Dr. Lacker in 1989. He appeared in the 1990 films “The Lost Capone” and “Q&A.” In 1991, he appeared on the television shows “Out for Justice” and “Law & Order.” He appeared as Spoleto in “The Public Eye” in 1992. He played the Father of the Bride in “The Contenders” in 1993.
He then featured on the television series “Law and Order” in 1995 as Judge Paul Kaylin, a position he kept until 1997. In 1996, he appeared in the films “Gotti” and “Looking for Richard.” The next year, he appeared in “Cosby” and “Night Falls on Manhattan.” In 1998, he played Mickey in the film “Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five.” He starred as Silvano in “Cradle Will Rock” in 1999.
Rose to Fame
He rose to fame after he portrayed Corrado John Soprano Jr., a brilliant, old-fashioned, difficult-to-manage senior Mafia member of the ‘DiMeo’ criminal family, in the American crime-drama TV series “The Sopranos.” Moreover, Dominic appeared in all six seasons that aired on HBO from January 10, 1999, to June 10, 2007.
He appeared in the 2004 TV series “Hope and Faith,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Crimes of Fashion,” and “King of the Corner.” In 2007, he was featured in the films “The Last New Yorker” and “Adrift in Manhattan.”
In 2010, he starred in the TV shows “Blue Hoods” and “Damages.” He appeared in the 2011 film “Mr. Poppers Penguins” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” He also starred in “Boardwalk Empire” as Leander Cephas Whitlock, which he held until 2013.
In 2012, he appeared in the television series “The Good Wife” as Judge Michael Marx and played the role until 2015. He appeared as Vinnie Caprese in “The Family” in 2013. In 2017, he played Bart in the film “Active Adults.” In 2019, he appeared in the TV series “The Village” and “Inspector Montalbano.”
Musical Works and co-author
He is a skilled tenor and musician. In 2000, he released a CD named “Hits,” on which he sang American and Italian songs recorded in Nashville. On The Sopranos’ third-season finale (episode 3.13, “Army of One”), he sang Salvatore Cardillo’s emotional classic “Core ‘ngrato” (“Ungrateful Heart”).
In 2003, he and AOL Music produced “Ungrateful Heart,” a second CD with 16 traditional Neapolitan songs. In the 2000s, he was a member of a weekly mandolin quartet at the Hotel Edison in New York City.
Caption: Dominic Chianese singing in the concert (Source: Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation)
He and co-author Matthew Sargent published a biography of Dominic titled “Twelve Angels: The Women Who Taught Me How to Act, Live, and Love” in December 2018.
Awards
Dominic was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in ‘The Sopranos in 2000 and 2001. He received Screen Actors Guild Awards in the category Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for ‘Broadwalk Empire’ in 2012.
Dominic Chianese – Net Worth 2024
As of 2023, Dominic’s net worth is estimated at around $15 million. He primarily makes money through his television and movie roles. He also earned through his musical album, concert, and book sales. and other business ventures.
Relationship Status
On 8th June 2003, Dominic Chianese married Jane Pittson. Currently, the couple is enjoying a happy life together. Previously, in 1958, he married Vincenza Jean Vacchio. They divorced after only a few months of living together.
Caption: Dominic Chianese with his wife, Jane Pittson (Source: Dicy Trends)
Dominic then married Merle Molofsky in 1961. Dominic Chianese Jr., Leah Espy Chianese, and Alexander John Gwozdz Chianese are the couple’s three children.
Their marriage, however, did not last and they divorced. Likewise, he also has three further children, Rebbeca Scarpatti Chianese, Sarah Chianese, and Dominica Roskelly Chianese. Chianese Jr., one of Dominic’s kids, is also an actor by profession.
Body Measurements
Caption: Dominic Chianese posing for a photo (Source: Celebrity Cutouts)
This American actor stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs an average. In addition, he has a pair of brown eyes with brown hair color but information about his shoe size, dress size, etc. is under review.
Social Media
On his official Instagram page ‘@thedominicchianese’ there are over 21.8k followers. Likewise, there are over 6.1k followers on his Twitter page ‘@DominicChianese’ and he is not present on Facebook.