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Daniel Louis Aiello, Jr. (born June 20, 1933
in Brooklyn, New York) is an Italian American actor who has starred in (amongst
others), Once Upon a Time in America, Ruby, The Godfather: Part II, Hudson
Hawk, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Moonstruck, Do The Right Thing (Oscar
nomination), Léon: The Professional, Two Days in the Valley, Dinner Rush and
played the title character in the video for Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach".
Although his characters are often crass, vulgar, and violent, Aiello has
also portrayed sensitive, kindly men with an earthy sense of humor, for
example his role in Jacob's Ladder. Aiello once served as a union
representative for Greyhound busworkers. Aiello is also a musician who has
released several CDs of jazz music.
He has been quoted as saying, "The first time I put on a dress and a wig and
they took a polaroid of me, I wanted to throw up. Except I saw a little bit
of beauty in that I looked like my mother.
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Aiello was a Democrat until the Lewinsky sex scandal in 1998, when he
switched his support to the Republican Party. He has also criticized
swearing in films and television series featuring poor portrayals of Italian
Americans, especially "The Sopranos".
He is referenced on the TV show Family Guy; Peter refers to his penis as "Danny
Aiello". |
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