Federico Castelluccio

Federico Castelluccio (born April 29, 1964) is an Italian-born American actor. He is best known for his role as Furio Giunta on the HBO series The Sopranos.
Early life
Born in Naples, Italy, Castelluccio moved with his family to Paterson, New Jersey, when he was three years old. In 1982, Castelluccio was awarded a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he earned a BFA in painting and media arts. Prior to winning the scholarship, he received an opportunity to create a painting for actor George Burns.
Career
Castelluccio began his career as an actor in 1986. Some of his film credits include Made with Jon Favreau, Fire with Paul Campbell and 18 Shades of Dust with Danny Aiello. In television, his credits include NYPD Blue and his best known role, in the HBO hit series The Sopranos, as the Neapolitan enforcer Furio Giunta.
He also appeared in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints which debuted in 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival and received two awards, one for best dramatic directing and another for best dramatic ensemble, headed by Robert Downey Jr., Chazz Palminteri, and Rosario Dawson.
Other film projects include the biographical El Cantante; Aftermath, a crime thriller; and The Obscure Brother, filmed in southern Italy, a short film that he executive produced and acted in; 2003's La Araña; the 2008 comedy Capers; Lucky Days; and the 2009 Forget Me Not. In television, Castelluccio played the lead role in Dragon Dynasty, a telefilm that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. He also appeared in the episode of Kenny Vs. Spenny titled "Who Can Produce The Best Commercial".
In 2014, Castelluccio acted in Don Capria's short film Eulogy, acting alongside Michael Kaves. With the rest of the cast, they won Best Ensemble at the Queens World Film Festival.
In 2016, Castelluccio directed the feature film The Brooklyn Banker. In 2017, Castelluccio directed the TV pilot Outcall.
During the fourth season of Celebrity Apprentice, Castelluccio was asked by Donald Trump to judge which celebrity designed the best hat. Castelluccio eventually chose La Toya Jackson. She was awarded $25,000 for her charity, the AIDS Project Los Angeles.
Painting discovery
Castelluccio discovered a 17th-century painting by Italian baroque painter Guercino at a Frankfurt gallery and subsequently purchased it at auction in 2014 after it had been incorrectly identified as an 18th-century painting. He purchased the painting for approximately $68,000. After restoration, insurance, shipping, and other expenses, his total costs came to $140,000. The work's actual value was subsequently placed at approximately $10 million.
Filmography
Films
1999 18 Shades of Dust – Bouncer #1
2001 Made – Doorman
2002 Fire – Himself (video)
2003 La Arana – Bobby
2004 Return of Fire – Himself (voice)
2004 Volare – Paolo Bongiovanni (short film)
2005 In Hot Water – Father Sal Manella (short film)
2006 A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints – Antonio's Father
2006 Dragon Dynasty – Marco TV Movie
2006 El cantante – Jerry Massucci
2007 The Obscure Brother – Father (short film)
2008 Lucky Day – Vincent
2008 Proud Iza – Samuel Stein
2008 The Bronx Balletomane – Joey (short film)
2008 The Brooklyn Heist – R. Fadagucci
2008 Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace – Louie the Bartender
2009 Forget Me Not – Samaratian Antagonist (short film)
2010 Bicycle Lessons – Himself (voice) (short film)
2010 Lily of the Feast – Santo Bastucci (short film)
2010 For Customers Only – Mr. Sierra (short film)
2011 Keep Your Enemies Closer – Agent (short film)
2011 The Decoy Bride – Marco
2011 The Orphan Killer – Dr. Morris (Uncredited)
2012 The Trouble with Cali – Chassidic Bouncer
2012 Pollination – Father short film
2012 1,000 Times More Brutal – Kastriot Morina
2012 Delivering the Goods – Enzo
2013 Stanley's Adventures (short film)
2013 Aftermath – Darrell
2013 Checkmate: Keep Your Enemies Closer – Agent Lepari
2013 House of Shadows – Nicola
2014 Euology – Martin (short film)
2015 Dutch Book – Mel
2015 Fall 4 You – Nicky (short film)
2016 Fall 4 You – Jerry
2016 The Brooklyn Banker – Zucci
2016 Leaves of the Tree – Doctor Ferramanti
2016 Toy Gun – Sante Cassoria
2017 Good Friday – Gio
2018 Sarah Q – Barry Homburg
2018 Exit 0 – Detective Mueller
TV shows
1991–1996 Another World – Maltese Guard; 4 episodes
2000–2002 The Sopranos – Furio Giunta; 28 episodes
2003 NYPD Blue – Brian Vaughn; 1 episode
2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent – Frank Chess; 1 episode
2010 Kenny vs. Spenny — Mobster, 1 episode
Music videos
Rockstar by Nickelback
Accolades
2015 - Best Ensemble - shared with the rest of the cast of Eulogy - Queens World Film Festival
References
External links
Federico Castelluccio official site (archived version, now links to a domain-parking list)
Federico Castelluccio paintings
American male television actors
Male actors from New Jersey
Male actors from New York City
Living people
Actors from Paterson, New Jersey
School of Visual Arts alumni
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
1964 births
Italian emigrants to the United States
American art collectors
American people of Italian descent