Michael Imperioli biography

Synopsis

Early Career

Actor, writer and producer Michael Imperioli was born on March 26, 1966, in Mount Vernon, New York. Before making it big in the entertainment industry, Imperioli worked numerous jobs to support himself, including waiting tables in New York restaurants. This multitalented performer began his film career in the late 1980s, but it was in 1990's Goodfellas that put him on the map as an actor.

The next year Imperioli worked with director Spike Lee in Jungle Fever, playing a small part in the film. The two later worked together on several other films, including Malcolm X (1992), Clockers (1995) and Girl 6 (1996). During the 1990s, Imperioli also appeared in several other film projects, including the Hughes Brothers' Dead Presidents (1995) and Trees Lounge (1996) with Steve Buscemi.

With Spike Lee and Victor Colicchio, Imperioli wrote the screenplay for Summer of Sam (1999), which looked at New York City during the tense summer of 1977. The film interweaved fictional stories with the real-life drama unfolding in the city's streets at the time of the spree killings done by David Berkowitz, who was also known as the Son of Sam. Imperioli also had a part in the film and served as an executive producer.

'The Sopranos'

In January 1999, Imperioli became part of the television phenomenon known as The Sopranos. The dramatic series, which looks at the life and personal struggles of fictional mob boss Tony Soprano made an impressive debut, capturing a large television audience and critical accolades.

Imperioli impressed many with his dynamic performance as Christopher Moltisanti, a mob underling who struggles to find his place in the organization and the world at large. He won the 2004 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and has been nominated for that same award on three other occasions. Imperioli has also put his considerable writing talents to use on the show, scripting several episodes.

Other Work

During the run of The Sopranos, Imperioli has found time to work on a variety of projects, including lending his voice to the animated feature film Shark Tale in 2004. That same year Imperioli, a veteran stage performer and director, and his wife Victoria opened a small off-Broadway theater called Studio Dante. The theater offers opportunities for theater-goers to see new works, often by new or emerging writers, and furthers the Imperiolis' commitment to improving New York's cultural life.

Imperioli also found success on television with a recurring role on Law & Order as detective Nick Falco.