Biography
Joseph G. "Joe" Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television. Born in Buffalo, New York, Grifasi joined the U.S. Army prior to studying acting. He has appeared in more than 50 feature films including Presumed Innocent, The Deer Hunter, Big Business, Beaches, Auto Focus, Matewan, Naked Gun, Dark Matter, Natural Born Killers, Chances Are, Changing Lanes, One Fine Day, F/X, Benny & Joon, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Brewster’s Millions, Batman Forever, The Flamingo Kid, Ironweed, and Splash. His television credits include The Bronx is Burning (as Yogi Berra), 61* (as Phil Rizzuto), Law & Order, ER, LA Law, Chicago Hope, Hill Street Blues, SCTV, Roseanne, and The Practice. Grifasi’s Broadway credits include Dinner at Eight, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, A Memory of Two Mondays, Boy Meets Girl, The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The 1940’s Radio Hour and Happy End. His off-Broadway credits include Conversations in Tusculum, The Boys Next Door (Drama Desk Nomination), Once Around the City, Golden Boy, Filumena and Says I, Says He. He has been married to jazz soprano saxophonist and composer Jane Ira Bloom, whom he met while studying at the Yale School of Drama, since 1974.
Acted in 106
2020s
- 2024
Tornado
Rich
- 2023
Endgame
Nagg
- 2022
The Dreams of Rene Sendam
Dr. Bradley
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
Baked in Brooklyn
David's Dad
The American Side
The Serb
- 2014
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Peter Quince
- 2012
- 2010
The Front
Mr. Zeffirelli
The Last New Yorker
Jerry
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
Canterbury's Law
TV
- 2007
The Bronx Is Burning
Yogi Berra · 8 episodes
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
A Jersey Tale
Alphonso "Chunks" Colon
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
Queenie in Love
Berthold
Some of My Best Friends
Joe Zito · 3 episodes
- 2000
Looking for an Echo
Vic
1990s
- 1999
Switching Goals
Dave
- 1998
The Naked Man
Koski
The Deal
Boular
- 1997
Sunday
Scottie Elster
- 1996
- 1995
73Heavy
Leo
Two Bits
Uncle Joe
- 1994
Jack Reed: A Search for Justice
Movie
- 1993
Household Saints
Frank Manzone
Moon Over Miami
TV
Taking the Heat
Lou Valentine
Class of '96
Joe Morrisey · 1 episode
- 1992
Sinatra
George Evans · 2 episodes
Citizen Cohn
Gerald Walpin
Primary Motive
Paul Melton
- 1991
City of Hope
Pauly
- 1990
WIOU
Tony Pro · 13 episodes
1980s
- 1989
Kojak: Ariana
Lieutenant Rastelli
Perfect Witness
Breeze
The Feud
Bud Bullard
- 1988
The Appointments of Dennis Jennings
Bartender
- 1987
Ironweed
Jack
- 1986
One Police Plaza
Insp. Nicolas Zambrano
- 1985
Bad Medicine
Gómez
- 1984
The Flamingo Kid
Mario Minetta
- 1983
Will There Really Be a Morning?
Wyler
- 1982
The Elephant Man
Pinhead Manager
- 1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
Osvaldo
The Gentleman Bandit
Det. Esposito
- 1980
Hide in Plain Sight
Matty Stanek
1970s
- 1979
Something Short of Paradise
Barney Collins
- 1978
On the Yard
Morris
- 1977
Secret Service
Cpl. Matson
- 1971
Appearances1
2020s
- 2021
Me To Play
Himself