Anthony LaPaglia

Anthony LaPaglia

LaPaglia and Gia Carides in 2013
Born Anthony M. LaPaglia
(1959-01-31) 31 January 1959
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Occupation Actor
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s)

Cherie Michan (divorced)
Gia Carides (1998-2015)

Holly
Children Bridget LaPaglia
Relatives Jonathan LaPaglia

Anthony M. LaPaglia[1] (/ləˈpɑːljə/; born 31 January 1959) is an Australian actor. He potrayed the role of Joe in the coming of age comedy Empire Records , as well as FBI agent Jack Malone on the American TV series Without a Trace, for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, and for his portrayal of Simon Moon on the TV show Frasier, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.[2] He is also known for his role as Barry "The Blade" Muldano in The Client.

Early life

LaPaglia was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Maria Johannes (née Brendel), a secretary, and Gedio "Eddie" LaPaglia, an auto mechanic and car dealer.[1][2] LaPaglia's mother was Dutch, and his Italian father immigrated from Bovalino, Calabria, at the age of eighteen.[2] His younger brother, Jonathan LaPaglia, is also an actor, and his other brother, Michael, is a car wholesaler in Los Angeles. LaPaglia attended Rostrevor College.

LaPaglia first began his venture into dramatic art in his late teens, when he enrolled in an acting course at the South Australian Castings Agency (SA Castings) in Adelaide. The two and half year course was to be supplemented with a further three months, which would have included a "boot camp" and a trial listing with SA Castings. After completing one and half years of the course, LaPaglia left Adelaide for Los Angeles.

Career

LaPaglia's earliest credit was a 1985 part in an episode of the television series Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories. His first feature film was Cold Steel in 1987, followed that same year by the title role of Frank Nitti in the telemovie Nitti: The Enforcer. LaPaglia had a supporting role as a mobster in the minor hit Betsy's Wedding (1990). This was followed by roles in the vampire/Mafia story Innocent Blood (1992), the comedy thriller So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), the legal thriller The Client (1994), and the comedy Empire Records in 1995. That same year, LaPaglia appeared in the role of Jimmy Wyler, lead character in the TV series Murder One, during its second and final season.

During 1997–98, LaPaglia appeared in a Broadway production of Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge with the Roundabout Theatre Company and later received a Tony Award for his portrayal of the protagonist, Eddie Carbone. Before the show opened, LaPaglia was sent a script for the pilot of The Sopranos and met its creator, David Chase, to discuss the role of protagonist Tony Soprano.[3] However, various factors, including his Broadway role, prevented LaPaglia obtaining the monumental role. LaPaglia also played Tito Merelli in Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor on Broadway. "'The Sopranos' thing didn't work out...and of course it did work out perfectly, because the right person ended up with the role. You can't imagine that show without James Gandolfini." LaPaglia did, however, later play (in an uncredited 2002 cameo) an actor in a Sopranos-style TV show-within-a-film, in the comedy movie Analyze That. (In 2007, The Sopranos reciprocated, by featuring LaPaglia's brother Jonathan in a film-within-the-TV show.)

Spike Lee cast LaPaglia as a New York police detective in Summer of Sam (1999).

During 2000–04, LaPaglia appeared in eight episodes of the sitcom Frasier, including the finale, playing Daphne Moon's brother Simon.[2] The role won him an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series".

LaPaglia made his debut in an Australian production with Looking for Alibrandi (1999), followed by a role as a Sydney police detective in the critically acclaimed Ray Lawrence film Lantana (2001).

In 2002, LaPaglia co-starred as a fire captain opposite Sigourney Weaver in The Guys, a film about New York firemen who died in the World Trade Center. He also played the role onstage, rotating with Bill Murray and others. "We did it as a tribute to the men," said LaPaglia. "I've been so lucky to do it, to be part of this experience. But I can't go back to that morning or watch the video. It's too painful."[4] He also played fictional Australian actor Anthony Bella (who played Nicky Caesar in the fictitious series 'Little Caesar') in the comedy movie Analyze That, but was uncredited in his role.

In addition to playing the central character in Without a Trace during 2002–09, LaPaglia co-wrote an episode entitled "Deep Water".[5]

In 2009, LaPaglia played the part of Roger East, a real life Australian journalist, in the political thriller Balibo, about the killing in 1975 of five Australian journalists by the Indonesian Army in the town of Balibo, East Timor. The opening scene depicts East's own summary execution, during the Indonesian invasion.[2][6]

In October 2011 it was announced that LaPaglia would join the cast of Quentin Tarantino's new film Django Unchained, in which he would portray an Australian character once again.[7] However, he eventually left the project, calling the production "out of control."[8]

In February 18, 2012, it was announced that LaPaglia would star in the ABC drama pilot Americana.[9] The show was not picked up.[10]

It was announced in May 2013 that LaPaglia signed on in the feature adaptation of Stephen King’s A Good Marriage with Joan Allen.[11]

In March 2014, LaPaglia joined a new CBS terrorism drama pilot titled Red Zone starring as a retired CIA operative and current high school football coach who returns to active duty after a terrorist attack in Washington, D.C.[12] It was renamed Field of Play and not picked up for the 2014 season.[13][14][15]

LaPaglia had a supporting role in the Neil Armfield's Australian romantic-drama film Holding the Man, as Bob Caleo. The 2015 film stars Ryan Corr and Craig Stott, with supporting performances from LaPaglia, Guy Pearce and Geoffrey Rush. Holding the Man was adapted from Timothy Conigrave's 1995 memoir of the same name. For his role within the film, LaPaglia was nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 5th AACTA Awards in 2015.

Personal life

LaPaglia currently lives in Santa Monica, California, USA. He has said that he adopted an American accent to help him get acting work after moving to the US. His current accent is neither distinctly American nor is it Australian, but rather a combination of both.[16] According to an offhand remark by LaPaglia, he has employed an American accent since 1982.[17] Anthony is the godfather of Poppy Montgomery and Adam Kaufman's son, Jackson.

LaPaglia's first marriage was to actress Cherie Michan. His second marriage was to actress Gia Carides, whom he met at a party;[2] the two starred in the 1994 (Ben Lewin) Australian movie Paperback Romance (a.k.a. Lucky Break) and married in 1998.[1] Their daughter Bridget was born in January 2003. In April 2015, newspapers reported that LaPaglia and Carides had split after 17 years.[18][19]

Association football

In the 1980s, LaPaglia was a goalkeeper in the National Soccer League, playing for Adelaide City and West Adelaide.[2] LaPaglia was part owner of A-League club Sydney FC until 2008; flying from California to Sydney to attend their matches since their inception in 2005. He was the narrator and executive producer of The Away Game, a critically acclaimed television documentary exploring the experiences of Australian footballers in Europe.

LaPaglia underwent a hip replacement in the summer of 2004, a result of his days playing soccer. He has fully recovered and has even played for a couple of amateur clubs in California.[20] He plays occasionally with Hollywood United, an amateur organization of which he is club president, with other luminaries such as Frank Leboeuf, Vinnie Jones, Steve Jones (of the Sex Pistols) and others.

LaPaglia has a minority shareholding in the International Goalkeepers Academy. The Academy was founded and is operated by James Fraser, who represented the Australian national team leading up to the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

LaPaglia has volunteered as an actor with the Young Storytellers Program. He played in a charity football match in 2007 to raise funds for Southern California wildfire relief.[21]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Cold Steel Spooky
1989 Slaves of New York Henry
Mortal Sins Vito
1990 Betsy's Wedding Stevie Dee
1991 He Said She Said Mark
One Good Cop Stevie Diroma
29th Street Frank Pesce, Jr.
1992 Whispers in the Dark Larry Morgenstern
Innocent Blood Joe Gennaro
1993 So I Married an Axe Murderer Tony Giardino
The Custodian Det. Sgt. James Quinlan Nominated - Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
1994 The Client Barry 'The Blade' Muldano
Lucky Break Edward 'Eddie' Mercer
Killer Mick
Mixed Nuts Felix
1995 Empire Records Joe Reaves
1996 Chameleon Willie Serling
Trees Lounge Rob
Brilliant Lies Gary Fitzgerald
1997 Commandments Harry Luce
1998 Phoenix Mike Henshaw
1999 Summer of Sam Detective Lou Petrocelli
Sweet and Lowdown Al Torrio
2000 Company Man Fidel Castro
Looking for Alibrandi Michael Andretti Nominated - Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Supporting Actor
The House of Mirth Sim Rosedale
Autumn in New York John
2001 Jack the Dog Jack's Attorney
Lantana Detective Leon Zat Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor
IF Award for Best Actor
The Bank Simon O'Reily
2002 The Salton Sea Al Garcetti
Dead Heat Ray
I'm with Lucy Bobby Staley
The Guys Nick
Analyze That Anthony Bella / Nicky Caesar Uncredited
2003 Manhood Jack's Attorney
Happy Hour Tulley Newport Beach Film Festival - Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting
Prism Award for Best Performance in a Film Festival Award
Spinning Boris Dick Dresner
2004 Winter Solstice Jim Winters Verona Love Screens Film Festival for Best Actor
Nominated - Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
2006 The Architect Leo Waters
Played Detective Drummond
Happy Feet Boss Skua voice
2008 $9.99 Jim Peck
2009 Balibo Roger East Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor
Nominated - IF Award for Best Actor
Nominated - IF Award for Best Feature Film
2010 Overnight Captain Brody
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Twilight voice
2011 All-Star Superman Lex Luthor voice
Happy Feet Two The Alpha Skua voice
2012 Long Time Gone Gordie
Mental Barry Moochmore
2014 A Good Marriage Bob
Big Stone Gap Spec Broadwater
Newcomer Daniel
2015 A Month of Sundays Frank Mollard
This Isn't Funny Mike
Holding the Man Bob Caleo Nominated - AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Amazing Stories Mechanic Episode: The Mission
1986 Magnum, P.I Albert Stanley Higgins Episode: Who Is Don Luis Higgins... and Why Is He Doing These Terrible Things to Me?
The Twilight Zone Punk Episode: A Day in Beaumont/The Last Defender of Camelot
1988 Frank Nitti: The Enforcer Frank Nitti
1990 Criminal Justice David Ringel
1991 Keeper of the City Vince Benedetto
1994 Past Tense Larry Talbert
1996 Never Give Up: The Jimmy V Story Jim 'Jimmy V' Valvano
1996–1997 Murder One Jimmy Wyler 18 episodes
1999 Lansky Charlie 'Lucky' Luciano
Black and Blue Bobby Benedetto
2001 On the Edge Dr. Maas
2000–2004 Frasier Simon Moon 8 episodes

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2002)
Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2000, 2004)

2002–2009 Without a Trace Jack Malone 160 episodes

Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2004)
Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2004)
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (2004, 2005)
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2004)
Nominated - Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2004, 2005)
Nominated - Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (2009)

2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Jack Malone Episode: Who and What
2012 Americana (pilot) Robert Soulter Pilot not picked up.
2015 The Eichmann Show Leo Hurwitz First broadcast on BBC2, 20 January 2015
Stage
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Bouncers Les Minetta Lane Theatre
1993 On the Open Road Angel Joseph Papp Public Theater/Martinson Hall
1995 The Rose Tattoo Alvaro Mangiacavallo Circle in the Square Theatre
Theatre World Award
Nominated - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
1995–1996 Northeast Local Mickey Lincoln Center Theater
1997–1998 A View From the Bridge Eddie Criterion Center Stage Right
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
2002 The Guys Flea Theater
2010 Lend Me a Tenor Tito Merelli Music Box Theatre

References

  1. 1 2 3 Anthony LaPaglia Biography (1959–)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stated on Inside the Actors Studio, 2009
  3. Evan Henerson, 2005, "Tracing a friendship", sopranos.com. Access date: 9 November 2010.
  4. "Anthony LaPaglia (TV and film actor)". Parade Magazine. 27 March 2005.
  5. tvguide.com – "Exclusive! Anthony LaPaglia Reveals His Own Take on Trace" – retrieved 21-04-2009
  6. LaPaglia leads Balibo five thriller cast – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  7. "Anthony LaPaglia joins ‘Django Unchained’, discusses Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s role |". Reservoirwatchdogs.com. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  8. Jagernauth, Kevin. "Anthony LaPaglia Exited 'Django Unchained,' Says Production Was "Out Of Control"". blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. Nellie Andreeva (February 18, 2012). "Anthony LaPaglia to Star in ABC Drama Pilot 'Americana'". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  10. Leaked scenes from dropped show, Americana; retrieved 16 March 2014
  11. Patten, Dominic (3 May 2013). "Anthony LaPaglia Joins ‘A Good Marriage’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  12. Goldberg, Lesley (14 March 2014). "Anthony LaPaglia to Star in CBS' Nikki Toscano Terrorism Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  13. Rice, Lynette (19 May 2014). "Rejected pilots: Look who's out of work (for now)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  14. Ingram, Hunter (22 April 2014). "CBS pilot ‘Red Zone' renamed ‘Field of Play'". StarNews Online. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  15. Rice, Lynette (21 April 2014). "Complete fall 2014 pilot list". Entertainment Weekly. Time, Inc. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  16. Davenport, Dawn Meade (16 October 2008). "The Watercooler: How do they lose those accents?". Johnson City Press (Johnson City, Tennessee: Sandusky Newspapers). Retrieved 2009-03-27. Anthony LaPaglia, Australian, "Without a Trace," CBS. After years in the movies and a memorable recurring roll as Daphne's drunken Mancunian brother on "Frasier," LaPaglia took the part of New York FBI agent Jack Malone on "Without a Trace." Because American accents vary greatly from region to region, and we don't know where Jack grew up, LaPaglia gets away with diction that sounds neither distinctly American nor Australian.
  17. "Chaser gives LaPaglia a g-up". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2006-08-26.
  18. Jinks, Caitlin (4 April 2015). "Without A Trace star Anthony LaPaglia splits from wife Gia Carides after 17 years of marriage". Daily Mail Australia. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  19. "Anthony LaPaglia and Gia Carides split after 17 years of marriage: Who’s Ant’s mystery brunette?". Daily Telegraph. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  20. Lapaglia – Lapaglia'S Limping Shame Prompted Hip-Replacement Surgery
  21. "LaPaglia lines up after wildfires". Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney: Fairfax Media). 28 October 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-27.

External links

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