Joe Pesci
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BirthDate BirthPlace |
02/08/1943
Newark, NJ |
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Angie Everhart is now cancer-free
May 21, 2013 4:00pm ESTModel-turned-actress Angie Everhart has been given the all-clear after undergoing surgery to treat cancer last week (begs13May13). Joe Pesci's former fiancee recently revealed that she had been diagnosed with the disease in her thyroid gland and she went under the knife last Tuesday (14May13) to remove the cancerous cells. Tests conducted following the operation have since come back negative - and the 43 year old couldn't be happier. Taking to her Twitter.com page over the weekend (18-19May13), she wrote, "MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! wootothemotherf**kinhoo (sic)". Expressing her gratitude for her fans' well wishes, she added, "THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!! You have all been soooo kind and I'm over the moon relieved this nightmare is over!!!"
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Sir Anthony Hopkins joins Travolta's Gotti biopic
May 20, 2013 5:13pm ESTSir Anthony Hopkins has reportedly joined the cast of John Travolta's much-anticipated new movie about mobster John Gotti. Gotti: In The Shadow of My Father picked up Travolta as its lead in 2010, while Nick Cassavetes signed on as director and Lindsay Lohan and Joe Pesci were announced as potential co-stars. Cassavetes and Pesci dropped out amid delays in 2011 and a deal with Lohan didn't pan out, prompting many Hollywood insiders to believe John Gotti, Jr.'s family drama would never be made. But Travolta recently insisted he was still on board and now it appears the film is finally coming together - and it has some added star power. The project's international distribution is up for sale at the Cannes Film Festival and executives at IM Global have announced that Hopkins has signed up for the film, although his role remains a mystery. But Travolta is still set to play Gotti and his wife Kelly Preston will portray Gotti's partner Victoria, while the couple's daughter, Ella, will play Gotti kid Angel. It is not clear if Ben Foster, who was attached to play Gotti's son, is still on board.
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Angie Everhart diagnosed with cancer
May 13, 2013 2:09pm ESTModel-turned-actress Angie Everhart is battling cancer. The 43 year old, who was once engaged to actor Joe Pesci, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and will undergo surgery on Tuesday (14May13). Everhart's publicist tells U.S. news show Extra, "Word has been trickling out about supermodel/actress Angie Everhart's health. She wants to set the record straight by letting everyone know that it is true that she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, however, the prognosis is very good. "She will undergo surgery tomorrow and expects to be back to work and to mommy duties in a few weeks. "The most important reason she is revealing this information is to encourage people to learn about cancer prevention, its signs and treatment immediately."
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'The Iceman' Review: This Is Michael Shannon's De Niro-in-'Raging Bull' Moment
May 11, 2013 3:17pm ESTWhat more could we possibly learn about hitmen? It’s a profession egregiously over-represented on the big screen, considering its microscopic per capita employment level. And it’s a job that most movies, from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly to Pulp Fiction to In Bruges, mine for excitement, with the hitman himself as the embodiment of cool. Rarely does the portrayal of paid killers onscreen offer much resembling critical perspective. That’s what makes Ariel Vromen’s The Iceman so exciting. It actually does offer up perspective, a moral point of view. The Israeli-born director's third feature stars Michael Shannon as the real-life Richard Kuklinski, a contract killer who murdered over 100 people from 1964-1986. At first glance, it may feel like Breaking Bad — the story of an ordinary schlub with a particular set of skills who enters into a criminal enterprise to provide for his family. But unlike Breaking Bad, which has it both ways by encouraging our cathartic identification with Walter White while half-heartedly condemning his crimes (hence why people like Walter more than suffering wife Skyler), The Iceman neither glamorizes nor identifies with its subject. One horrifying moment when Kuklinski’s partner in crime (Chris Evans) suggests that they kill each other’s families, as the cops are closing in, shows how down and dirty, uncool and unfunny, how thoroughly banal both these guys, Kuklinski included, really are. The Iceman is a slightly detached, clinical case-study of pathology, with Michael Shannon’s Kuklinski as its stone-faced test subject. If it wasn’t already clear that Shannon is one of the finest actors on the planet, based on his towering perforamnces in Revolutionary Road, Shotgun Stories, and Take Shelter, The Iceman will unfog your glasses. Vromen’s film is Shannon’s De Niro-in-Raging Bull moment. He and his director have found a way to translate a true-crime story into a deconstruction of masculinity. The reptilian, tough-guy reserve Kuklinski projects to be taken seriously as a manly man to his wife (Winona Ryder), daughters, and friends — the emotional constipation that’s transformed his face into a craggy mask — aligns perfectly with the job requirements of being a killer: stereotypical masculine gender identity revealed to be akin to sociopathy and conducive to criminality. The most terrifying scene from any movie this year occurs when Kuklinski, in a fit of road rage, chases at high speed after a rude motorist who insulted his wife and daughters….while his wife and daughters are screaming terrified in the car. He’s defending their honor at the same time he’s recklessly endangering them. Unfortunately, not much else surrounding Shannon in The Iceman is on par with Raging Bull. Instead of Joe Pesci, we have David Schwimmer as a mustachioed thug. Dispiritingly, Ray Liotta, as Kuklinski’s mobster employer, has decided these days to play only one kind of clench-jawed heavy from film-to-film. And Vromen has an affinity for the brown, tan, and orange hues in fashion and interior design of the ‘60s and ‘70s, but doesn’t find any way less clichéd to convey the passage of time than to continually alter Shannon’s facial hair or show the progression of the then still-under-construction World Trade Center towers. Robert Davi as a pock-marked Don is arrestingly ruthless, however. James Franco leaves an impact as a pornographer Kuklinski forces to pray for deliverance from God, right before killing him. And Winona Ryder, soft, sincere, and incredibly vulnerable has given us her best performance in years. Her beautiful fragility opposite Shannon’s unwavering stolidness is what reveals Vromen’s ambition here to be a damning critique of gender roles and how, to some degree, we all perform them. 3.5/5 What do you think? Tell Christian Blauvelt directly on Twitter @Ctblauvelt and read more of his reviews on Rotten Tomatoes ! More: ‘The Iceman’ Cometh? More Like the Pornstache Cometh — TRAILER Michael Shannon and James Franco Sign Up for ‘The Iceman’ Winona Ryder Replaces a Pregnant Maggie Gyllenhaal in ‘The Iceman’ From Our Partners:What Happened to 33 Child Stars (Celebuzz)40 Most Revealing See-Through Red Carpet Looks (Vh1)
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Joe Johnston takes charge of stalled Gotti biopic
May 08, 2013 7:37am ESTJohn Travolta will finally get the chance to play Mafia don John Gotti after Joe Johnston came on board as director. Gotti: Three Generations has hit a series of setbacks over the last few years, with Lindsay Lohan dropping out of the project and Joe Pesci successfully suing producers after they changed his part. The film is now back on track after Captain America: The First Avenger filmmaker Johnston was hired to take the helm. A statement from the director reads, "I think we've always been fascinated with the idea of the romantic outlaw. John Gotti could be in one instance a charismatic, kind and loving family man, and in another, deadly to his enemies. The opportunity to tell the true story of Gotti with John Travolta is a director's dream." Travolta adds, "I'm looking forward to portraying John Gotti - it's been a long time coming. And I think that Johnston is an exciting and fresh addition to the vision of the film. We are all looking forward to starting production." The stalled project will now begin shooting in New York in September (13). The crime boss died behind bars in 2002.
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The Oscar Speech Oscars: 20 Best (and Worst) Academy Award Speeches
February 20, 2013 9:10am ESTThe real prize in any Academy Award victory isn't the glimmering, faceless statue that's probably a pain to lug all the way back to your Los Angeles loft, but the opportunity to say anything you want on live television for about a minute or so: the Oscar speech. Winners are granted a no-holds-barred venue to thank family members, speak on behalf of causes, or — in many cases — go off the rails entirely. RELATED: 10 Actors Who Won Oscars for the Wrong Movie In the eight decades of Oscar speeches, we've happened upon some doozies. A handful of memorable favorites — classy, admirable ventures and face-palming guilty pleasures alike. And no two of the show's sermons are alike, each member of the crème de la crème deserving a superlative all its own. Perhaps even... and award. So without further ado, we present Oscars for Oscar Speeches — we open our envelopes to reveal the orations earning victories throughout the many esteemed categories devised by the Academy Awards... watchers who work for Hollywood.com. Check out the show to see who took home the titles for... Best Visual Effects in a Speech, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech, Best Original Score in a Speech Best Short Speech, Best Animated Speech, Best Foreign Language Speech Best Ensemble Speech, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech Best Original Writing for a Speech, Best Adapted Writing for a Speech, Best Directing in a Speech Best Comedic Performance in a Speech, Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech, Best Speech ... and the Razzies Follow Michael Arbeiter on Twitter @MichaelArbeiter. [Photo Credit: Getty Images] Best Visual Effects in a Speech The action scene peformed by the great Jack Palance when he accepted the Best Supporting Actor Award for City Slickers. Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech A top tier makeup team must have done quite a number on Marlon Brando to get him to look like this young Native American woman during his acceptance speech for his lead role in The Godfather. RELATED: Name That Oscar Tune: 9 Songs Snubbed by the Academy Best Original Score in a Speech Many an Oscar speech conscribes to the standard spoken-word form. But Stanley Donen's Honorary Oscar in 1997 warranted a few notes of song... See the Other Categories: Best Short Speech, Best Animated Speech, Best Foreign Language Speech Best Ensemble Speech, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech Best Original Writing for a Speech, Best Adapted Writing for a Speech, Best Directing in a Speech Best Comedic Performance in a Speech, Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech, Best Speech ... and the Razzies Best Short Speech As short films are no less compelling than their feature-length brethren, short speeches pack just as mighty a punch. For example, Joe Pesci's 1991 acceptance "speech" for his Best Supporting Actor win for Goodfellas. Best Animated Speech Not a cartoon, so the title may be a bit of a misnomer. But Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s acceptance speech for his Best Supporting Actor win for Jerry Maguire was, undeniably, animated. Best Foreign Language Speech Foreign language films have the grace of subtitles. Foreign language speeches have the grace of translators. In the case of Ennio Morricone's 2007 Honorary Oscar, that position was upheld by a Clint Eastwood (pre-car commercials and chair rants). See the Other Categories: Best Visual Effects in a Speech, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech, Best Original Score in a Speech Best Ensemble Speech, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech Best Original Writing for a Speech, Best Adapted Writing for a Speech, Best Directing in a Speech Best Comedic Performance in a Speech, Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech, Best Speech ... and the Razzies Best Ensemble Speech Michael Moore rallied a hefty cast for his 2003 Bowling for Columbine Oscar speech-turned-political rant. Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech It wasn't Halle Berry's victory, but she did play a pivotal role in Adrien Brody's 2003 speech for The Pianist... great performances do not forgive lechery, Mr. Brody. Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech More famous than just about anything else Tom Hanks has ever said is his victory speech for Philadelphia. The supporting players? The two men he outed as gay therein. Hell, their story inspired the likes of In & Out... which, of course, didn't warrant any Oscar speeches. See the Other Categories: Best Visual Effects in a Speech, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech, Best Original Score in a Speech Best Short Speech, Best Animated Speech, Best Foreign Language Speech Best Original Writing for a Speech, Best Adapted Writing for a Speech, Best Directing in a Speech Best Comedic Performance in a Speech, Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech, Best Speech ... and the Razzies Best Original Screenplay for Speech Kate Winslet claims this title with her speech for The Reader, written by the actress' herself, during childhood fantasies of Award Show victory vocations. Best Adapted Screenplay for a Speech We have to hand this one to that Sally Field classic, which she spouted in acceptance of Places in the Heart back in 1985. The speech's most famous line ("You like me!") was of adapted from her previous Oscar-winning picture, Norma Rae. Best Directing in a Speech When Frances McDormand took the Best Acress award in 1997 for Fargo, she commanded filmmakers around the nation to continue to make strong, interesting roles for women — an all-important stage direction, you might say. See the Other Categories: Best Visual Effects in a Speech, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech, Best Original Score in a Speech Best Short Speech, Best Animated Speech, Best Foreign Language Speech Best Ensemble Speech, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech Best Comedic Performance in a Speech, Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech, Best Speech ... and the Razzies Best Comedic Performance in a Speech Long overdue for an Oscar, Christopher Plummer managed this whimsical gem when he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award for beginners. Charming, noble, and incredibly funny, much like his performance in the movie. Best Dramatic Performance in a Speech Another one to the great Halle Berry, whose speech for her 2002 Monster's Ball win was at once engrossing and mortifyingly hard to watch, due to the sheer power of her words (and tears). Best Speech Roberto Benigni. Life is Beautiful. 1999. Pure, unbridled joy. Best Visual Effects in a Speech, Best Makeup and Hairstyling in a Speech, Best Original Score in a Speech Best Short Speech, Best Animated Speech, Best Foreign Language Speech Best Ensemble Speech, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Speech, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Speech Best Original Writing for a Speech, Best Adapted Writing for a Speech, Best Directing in a Speech ... and the Razzies And the Razzies... George Clooney, winning Best Supporting Actor for Syriana in 2006. Gwyneth Paltrow, winning Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love in 1999. Sean Penn, winning Best Actor for Mystic River in 2004. James Cameron, winning Best Director for Titanic in 1997. Melissa Leo, winning Best Supporting Actress for The Fighter in 2010. From Our Partners:'Groundhog Day' Cast: Where Are They Now? (Moviefone)40 Most Revealing See-Through Red Carpet Looks (Vh1)
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Joe Pesci settles Gotti lawsuit
February 05, 2013 4:00am ESTThe Goodfellas star signed a $3 million (£1.8 million) deal to play the gangster's associate and childhood pal Angelo Ruggiero in Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father, alongside John Travolta and Kelly Preston. He filed suit against Fiore Films in July 2011, claiming he had piled on weight to portray Ruggiero, only to be told he would be playing a smaller part. His attorney, Jessica Trotter, confirmed on Monday (04Feb13) that Pesci has reached a undisclosed out-of-court settlement with bosses at the production company. Travolta will play Gotti in the film. The crime boss died behind bars in 2002.
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Fascinating fact
January 30, 2013 12:15pm ESTComedian Robin Williams has become the latest star to feature in TV skits for chocolate treat Snickers. The quirky ads, which launched during the Super Bowl in 2010, feature 20-somethings becoming celebrities like aged Betty White and cranky Joe Pesci on the football field and at parties when they're in need of a chocolate energy boost. In Williams' new American football-themed ad, the funnyman takes on the guise of a coach trying to will his confused team to victory.
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The things they say
January 11, 2013 1:15pm EST"We finally have a script everybody loves and hopefully this year we'll do it." John Travolta insists his stalled John Gotti biopic, Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father, is back on track after a series of delays. The film was initially billed to feature Joe Pesci and Lindsay Lohan but it's not clear if either star is still a part of the project.
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Robert De Niro shares spotlight with Kirk Douglas at Santa Barbara Film Festival
December 10, 2012 4:00am ESTDe Niro was the guest of honour as he received the seventh annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at the event from Douglas himself, who he thanked in his acceptance speech. Douglas turned 96 on Sunday (09Dec12) so De Niro handed the Spartacus star a special birthday present - a Raging Bull manuscript signed by himself, director Martin Scorsese and co-star Joe Pesci. He said, "Thank you, Kirk, and happy birthday. This is the way I like to celebrate other people's birthdays, I get the present! Actually though, I do have something for you. I asked your son Michael... what you would like and he said he didn't really know you well enough to say. No, I'm just kidding. He said you might like an original screenplay of Raging Bull. So, Marty Scorsese had one. He was trying to sell it on (auction site) eBay, but he gave it to me to give it to you for $200 bucks. So he and Joe Pesci signed it and I had the girl in my office sign my name. From all of us, happy birthday, Kirk. And it's an honour to receive this gift with your name." According to HitFix.com, Douglas told the gala's audience he planned to "retire" from presenting his namesake award, but decided to attend the ceremony one last time after learning De Niro was this year's (12) recipient.
