Joseph R. Gannascoli

Joseph R. Gannascoli (born February 15, 1959) is an American actor and chef. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Vito Spatafore on the HBO series The Sopranos. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Gannascoli attended St. John's University where he studied communications. His acting career took off after meeting Benicio del Toro on the set of Money for Nothing, who later cast him in his directorial debut, Submission. Gannascoli's role as a pastry shop patron named 'Gino' in the first season of The Sopranos led to a recurring role as Richie Aprile's nephew, Vito Spatafore. He has also appeared in films like Mickey Blue Eyes and television shows including Law and Order.