| Vincent D'Onofrio | |
|---|---|
D'Onofrio in Utah for Meth Cops Project fundraiser, June 2011 |
|
| Born | Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio June 30, 1959 Brooklyn, New York |
| Other names | Vincent Philip D'Onofrio Vince D'Onofrio |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director, writer, singer |
| Years active | 1983— |
| Spouse | Greta Scacchi (1 child) Carin van der Donk (2 children) ?? |
Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio (born June 30, 1959) is an American actor, director, film producer, writer, and singer.[1] Often referred to as an actor's actor, his work as a character actor has earned him the nickname of "Human Chameleon". He first gained attention for his role as Private Leonard 'Gomer Pyle' Lawrence in the war film Full Metal Jacket and more recently for his role as Detective Robert Goren in the crime TV series Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
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Vincent D'Onofrio was born in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York,[2] to Gennaro (Gene) D’Onofrio, an interior designer and theater production assistant, and Phyllis, a waitress and restaurant manager. The couple met while Gene was stationed in Hawaii with the U. S. Air Force; they later relocated to the mainland. In 1956 they had their first child, Antoinette, who now owns the Rib City restaurant in American Fork, Utah.[3] She was followed in birth by Elizabeth (1957), an actress and drama coach now residing in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, then by Vincent, the couple's only son.
D'Onofrio's parents divorced when he was young, and his mother later married George Meyer who had a son, Guy, and daughter, Connie, from a previous marriage. The family relocated to the Hialeah area of Florida, and in 1977 Vincent graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School.[4] He went on to attend the University of Colorado, but left after 18 months to pursue acting. He began his acting career by performing in many New York University student productions while working as a bouncer at the Hard Rock Cafe and other various clubs around the city.[5] In 1984 D'Onofrio joined the American Stanislavsky Theatre in New York and studying under coaches Sonya Moore and Sharon Chatten of the Actors Studio,[6] went on to appear in a number of their productions, including Of Mice and Men and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He also made his Broadway debut as Nick Rizzoli in Open Admissions.[7]
In 1987 D'Onofrio entered mainstream consciousness with two film roles that demonstrated his range as an actor: In the first, he played the overweight Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, for which he gained 70 lb (32 kg), bringing his weight to 280 lb (130 kg).[8] In the second, he played Dawson, the owner of Dawson's Garage in Adventures in Babysitting, directed by Chris Columbus. D'Onofrio appears in only one scene near the end of the film, but his role attracted attention because of his muscular physique and long blond hair which causes Sara, the film's youngest character, to mistakenly believe he is Thor, the comic-book superhero she idolizes. In 1988 D'Onofrio was in the film Mystic Pizza, Julia Roberts' breakout film. In the latter film, he was billed under his full name of Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio.
D'Onofrio continued to play a wide variety of roles, including iconic director Orson Welles in Tim Burton's Ed Wood, farmer Edgar and the evil "Bug" that possesses him from Men in Black, the father of a saint in Nancy Savoca's Household Saints, Yippie founder Abbie Hoffman in Steal This Movie, a time traveler from the distant future in Happy Accidents, and opposite Jennifer Lopez as serial killer Carl Stargher in The Cell.
In 1997 D'Onofrio made a move to television and received an Emmy nomination for his appearance as John Lange, the doomed victim in the Homicide: Life on the Street episode "Subway". In 2001 he took on what became his longest and best known role as Det. Robert Goren on the NBC / USA Network television show Law & Order: Criminal Intent. D'Onofrio also turned down a role in The Sopranos.[9]
In 1998 D'Onofrio, his father, Gene, and his sister, Elizabeth, founded the River Run International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.[10] In 2003, former film producer and Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Dale Pollock took over the festival and moved it from RiverRun to Winston-Salem. Annually, the festival showcases the best films offered from the independent and international industry as well as those from student filmmakers.[11]
D'Onofrio also has had success behind the camera, producing The Whole Wide World (1996), Guy (1997); executive producing The Velocity of Gary (1998) and Steal This Movie (2000) and directing the short Five Minutes, Mr. Welles (2005). This last represents a culmination of D'Onofrio's desire to improve on his performance as Welles in Ed Wood, which in spite of D'Onofrio's striking physical resemblance to the actor/director, reportedly left director Tim Burton underwhelmed. Burton decided to procure the services of voice-over artist Maurice LaMarche (who is known for his peerless imitation of Welles' voice) to produce a more dramatically effective rendering of the character's dialogue. Disappointed with his performance, having been given only two weeks notice to prepare for the role, D'Onofrio wrote, produced, directed and starred in his own short, Five Minutes, Mr. Welles in answer to the critics, and himself. The film depicts D'Onofrio as Welles preparing for his role in The Third Man.[12]
In 2003 it was reported that D'Onofrio and Joe Pantoliano had begun work on a small film entitled Little Victories about a 12-year-old boy whose perceptions of the world are forever changed when his gangster uncle comes to live with him.[13] According to a television interview with Pantoliano, Little Victories was not completed and went into turnaround because of a failure to raise the funds necessary for production.
In November 2005 D'Onofrio won Best Actor at the Stockholm International Film Festival for his role as Mike Cobb in the independent film, Thumbsucker.
In 2006 he appeared in The Break-Up, starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn, playing Vaughn's eccentric brother. He and Vaughn had appeared together in two previous films, The Cell, where Vaughn played an FBI agent pursuing D'Onofrio's character, and Thumbsucker.
In 2008 D'Onofrio returned to directing with the feature length musical slasher Don't Go In The Woods written by friend Joe Vinciguerra, featuring a score by Sam Bisbee and starring various unknown actors hand-picked by D'Onofrio.[14] The movie, shot in 13 days in the woods behind D'Onofrios home near Kingston, New York, had a budget of $100,000 and played at numerous festivals throughout 2009 and 2010. It follows an indie rock band who venture into the woods to write new music, only to meet a crazed murderer (Eric Bogosian). It is slated for national release in December 2011.[15]
Also in 2008 D'Onofrio made a cameo appearance in a presidential election-related sketch in a Saturday Night Live episode as his character Det. Robert Goren.[16] In the sketch, which originally aired on March 1, 2008, he interrogates Hillary Clinton (played by Amy Poehler). His entrance to and exit from the skit are punctuated by the classic Law & Order "dun-DUN" sound.
In 2009 it was announced that D'Onofrio would be leaving Law & Order: Criminal Intent in the spring of 2010 with his last appearance occurring in the two-part Season 9 premiere.[17] He was replaced by Jeff Goldblum, but after a drop in ratings, D'Onofrio agreed to return for a 10th, and final season of the show.[18] The final episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent aired on June 26, 2011.[19]
Throughout 2009 and 2010 D'Onofrio worked on numerous films including Staten Island (2009), Brooklyn's Finest (2010), Ass Backwards (2011), Kill the Irishman (2011) and Crackers (2011). In 2009 he also appeared in the Oscar-winning short The New Tenants (2009).
On July 3, 2011, D'Onofrio began work on the Jennifer Lynch film, Rabbit, in which he portrays Bob, a serial killer who kidnaps a young boy, Rabbit, and makes him his protégé. When he becomes older ("grown up") Rabbit must decide whether to follow in the footsteps of his captor or plan his escape. The film shot in areas in and around Regina and Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan.[20]
In July 2011 D'Onofrio also filmed Fire with Fire with Bruce Willis, Josh Duhamel and Rosario Dawson on location in New Orleans. The film follows a fireman whose life takes an unexpected turn when he's threatened by the murderous white supremacist (D'Onofrio) he's been ordered to testify against.[21]
On August 19, 2011, D'Onofrio began filming the short American Falls in and around New York. The movie, set in 1965, follows the Japanese-American Suzuki family and their experiences with Charles Bone (Curtiss Cook), an African-American stranger who visits their small motel in rural Idaho at the height of the Civil Rights Era. D'Onofrio portrays Detective Foster, who comes looking for Charles. The movie also stars Sean Cullen as a second detective.[22]
On Septemer 14, 2011, it was announced[23] that a new TV show entitled Blue Tilt, a term used to describe the effects of homicide detectives dealing with horrific crimes on a daily basis resulting in being a danger to themselves and the need for psychiatric observation, was being brought to NBC via Universal Television. The hour-long cop drama will star Vincent D'Onofrio and Ethan Hawke balancing their careers along with family life. Both are divorced and have children. Vincent will play 'Sonny' named after his real-life uncle. Writer Chris Brancato, fresh from Season 10 of Law and Order: Criminal Intent, was brought on board to pen the episodes. Filming of the pilot episode is set to start the beginning of February, 2012.[24] D'Onofrio and Hawke had previously worked together in the films The Newton Boys, Staten Island and Brooklyn's Finest, and will appear together again in the upcoming movie, Sinister, due to be released in 2012.
On October 27, 2009, D'Onofrio portrayed a comedic country singer named George Geronimo Gerkie at Joe's Pub in New York City. He appeared as Gerkie again at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on December 6, 2009, during Matt Pinfield's Holiday Extravaganza Show and at the premiere of his movie Don't Go In The Woods at Joe's Pub on May 28, 2010. A fourth concert was held at the pub on July 22, 2010 with proceeds from the event going to the Utah Meth Cops project.[25] D'Onofrio serves as the projects spokesperson and, alongside his sister Toni, is regularly involved in efforts to raise money for the cause.[26][27][28] During teaching of students at the Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, Vincent mentions plans for a documentary on his character, George Gerkie which is to be filmed by 'Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston' director, Whitney Smith.[29] A concert is also in the works for 2012.
In the early 1990s D'Onofrio was married to actress, Greta Scacchi, with whom he made several movies in the late 1980s and early 1990s (including The Player and Fires Within). The couple have one daughter, Leila George, born March 20, 1992, in Sydney, Australia.[30]
On March 22, 1997, D'Onofrio married Dutch model, Carin van der Donk,[31] and in December 1999, the couple had a son, Elias Gene. D'Onofrio and van der Donk divorced in October 2003.[32] They reconciled in 2007 and had a second son, Luka,[33] on February 14, 2008.[34] Known to be protective of his privacy, D'Onofrio's current marital status is often the subject of fan debate. During a 2011 fan chat on Twitter, D'Onofrio stated that he had remarried, but did not give further details.[35]
On November 10, 2004, D'Onofrio experienced a health issue when he collapsed on the set of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He collapsed again at home a few days later, and after further testing was diagnosed with exhaustion. The reasons for his exhaustion were explained later as his 14-hour days filming Law and Order: Criminal Intent, coupled with the filming of his short film, Five Minutes, Mr. Welles during his hiatus.[36]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The First Turn-On! | Lobotomy | |
| 1984 | It Don't Pay to Be an Honest Citizen | Bennie | |
| 1987 | Full Metal Jacket | Pvt. Leonard 'Gomer Pyle' Lawrence | D'Onofrio gained a record 70 lbs to play this role |
| 1987 | Adventures in Babysitting | Dawson (aka Thor) | |
| 1988 | Mystic Pizza | Bill | |
| 1989 | Signs of Life | Daryl Monahan | |
| 1989 | The Blood of Heroes | Young Gar | also known as Salute of the Jugger |
| 1991 | Crooked Hearts | Charley | |
| 1991 | Dying Young | Gordon | |
| 1991 | Fires Within | Sam | |
| 1991 | Naked Tango | Cholo | |
| 1991 | JFK | Bill Newman | |
| 1992 | The Player | David Kahane | |
| 1992 | Salt on Our Skin | Gavin | also known as Desire |
| 1993 | Being Human | Priest | |
| 1993 | Household Saints | Joseph Santangelo | |
| 1993 | Mr. Wonderful | Dominic | |
| 1994 | Ed Wood | Orson Welles | |
| 1994 | The Investigator | Ephraim McDougall | |
| 1994 | Imaginary Crimes | Mr. Webster | |
| 1995 | Stuart Saves His Family | Donnie | |
| 1995 | Strange Days | Burton Steckler | |
| 1995 | Hotel Paradise | The Naked Stranger | |
| 1996 | The Whole Wide World | Robert E. Howard | |
| 1996 | The Winner | Philip | |
| 1996 | Feeling Minnesota | Sam Clayton | |
| 1996 | Good Luck | Tony 'Ole' Olezniak | |
| 1997 | Boys Life 2 | Tony Randozza | in segment Nunzio's Second Cousin, originally shot in 1994 |
| 1997 | Men in Black | Edgar | |
| 1997 | Guy | Guy | |
| 1998 | The Taking of Pelham One Two Three | Mr. Blue | TV remake of the 1974 film |
| 1998 | The Newton Boys | Dock Newton | |
| 1998 | Claire Dolan | Elton Garrett | |
| 1998 | The Velocity of Gary | Valentino | |
| 1999 | Spanish Judges | Max | |
| 1999 | The Thirteenth Floor | Jason Whitney / Jerry Ashton | |
| 1999 | That Championship Season | Phil Romano | |
| 2000 | Happy Accidents | Sam Deed | |
| 2000 | Steal This Movie | Abbie Hoffman | |
| 2000 | The Cell | Carl Stargher | |
| 2001 | Chelsea Walls | Frank | |
| 2002 | Impostor | Hathaway | |
| 2002 | Bark! | Malcolm | |
| 2002 | The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys | Father Casey | |
| 2002 | The Red Sneakers | Mercado | |
| 2002 | The Salton Sea | Pooh-Bear | |
| 2002 | Case of Evil | Moriarty | |
| 2005 | Thumbsucker | Mike Cobb | |
| 2005 | Five Minutes, Mr. Welles | Orson Welles | Also as director |
| 2006 | The Break-Up | Dennis Grobowski | |
| 2008 | The Narrows | Vinny Manadoro | |
| 2008 | Cadillac Records | Mississippi DJ | Uncredited |
| 2009 | Staten Island | Parmie Tarzo | |
| 2009 | The New Tenants | Jan | |
| 2010 | Brooklyn's Finest | Bobby 'Carlo' Powers | |
| 2011 | Chlorine (film) | Roger | |
| 2011 | Down and Dirty Pictures | Harvey Weinstein | Rumored |
| 2011 | Ass Backwards | Bruce | |
| 2011 | Kill the Irishman | John Nardi | |
| 2011 | Crackers | Gus | |
| 2012 | Rabbit | Bob | Also known as Chained |
| 2012 | American Falls | Detective Foster | |
| 2012 | Fire with Fire | Hagan | |
| 2012 | Mall | Based on a novel by Eric Bogosian | |
| 2012 | Chronicle | Agent Eckhart | |
| 2012 | High Midnight | Marshal Stoudenmire | |
| 2012 | Sinister | Professor Jonas |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Equalizer | Davy Baylor | Episode 2.7 - "Counterfire" |
| 1987 | The Equalizer | Thomas Marley | Episode 3.3 - "Suspicion of Innocence" |
| 1987 | Miami Vice | Leon Wolf | Episode 3.17 - "The Afternoon Plane" |
| 1997 | Homicide: Life on the Street | John Lange | Episode 6.7 - "Subway" |
| 1997 | The Daily Show | Himself | Aired on January 14, 1997 |
| 1998 | Anatomy of a Homicide | Himself | Aired on PBS in (1998)[37] |
| 1998- 2000 |
Men in Black: The Series | Bugs (voice) | Episode 1.13 - "The Take No Prisoners Syndrome" (1998) Episode 2.5 - "The Big Bad Bug Syndrome" (1998) Episode 3.14 - "The J Is for James Syndrome" (2000) |
| 2000 | The Daily Show | Himself | Aired on August 24, 2000 |
| 2001- 2011 |
Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Det. Robert Goren | 141 Episodes |
| 2001 | The View | Himself | Aired on December 18, 2001 |
| 2001 | The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn | Himself | Aired on December 12, 2001 |
| 2001 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Himself | Aired on December 26, 2001 |
| 2002 | The View | Himself | Aired on November 26, 2002 |
| 2004 | The View | Himself | Aired on March 26, 2004 |
| 2005 | Rove Live | Himself | Episode #6.17 - Aired on May 31, 2005 |
| 2005 | The Today Show | Himself | Aired on December 30, 2005 |
| 2008 | Saturday Night Live | Det. Robert Goren | Episode 33.630 - Aired on March 1, 2008 |
| 2009 | Xavier: Renegade Angel | Eric The Judge |
Episode 2.3 - "El Tornadador" Episode 2.6 - "Damnesia Vu" |
| 2011 | CNN | Himself | Urging public to ban high capacity gun ammunitions. Aired on February 5, 2011.[38] |
| 2011 | Morning Joe | Himself | Aired on April 8, 2011 |
| 2011 | Talk Stoop | Himself | Aired in June, 2011[39] |
| 2012 | Blue Tilt | Detective TBA | New TV cop drama starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Ethan Hawke. Pilot to be filmed the beginning of February, 2012 for NBC network via Universal Television. Airing contingent on pilot being picked up. |
| 2011 | Windy City Live | Himself | Aired on November 9, 2011. Promoting his horror/slasher musical "Don't Go In The Woods".[40] |
| 2011 | Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy | Himself | December, 2011. Teaching students of the post production class and giving career advice. The students were responsible for making the official trailer for 'Don't Go In The Woods'.[41] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1996 | The Whole Wide World | Robert E. Howard | Producer |
| 1997 | Guy | Guy | Producer |
| 1998 | The Velocity of Gary | Valentino | Executive Producer |
| 2000 | Steal This Movie | Abbie Hoffman | Executive Producer |
| 2005 | Five Minutes, Mr. Welles | Orson Welles | Writer (story) Director |
| 2008 | Don't Go In The Woods | Writer (story) Director Due for release in December 2011 |
|
| 2009 | Ipso facto | Executive Producer | |
| 2010 | Zaritsas: Russian Women in New York | Executive Producer | |
| 2012 | "Blue Tilt" | Executive Producer along with Ethan Hawke and Chris Brancato | |
| 2012 | Johnny and Me[42] | Writer Director On hold indefinitely[43] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seattle International Film Festival | ||
| Preceded by Kevin Spacey for The Usual Suspects |
Best Actor for The Whole Wide World 1996 |
Succeeded by Brendan Fraser for Still Breathing |
| Saturn Awards | ||
| Preceded by Brent Spiner for Star Trek: First Contact |
Best Supporting Actor for Men in Black 1997 |
Succeeded by Ian McKellen for Apt Pupil |
|
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