Top 50 Most Popular Italian Actors Of All Time

 

Throughout history, Italians contributed greatly to music, literature, science, cuisine, culture, and civilization. They have been the seat of power till the sixteenth century.

 

Due to this long period of influence, Italians have left a strong impression on many cultures around the world.

 

After the world wars ended, the power and influence of Italy waned. Although they still have a rich and varied culture, owing to financial and political upheavals, culture and arts have taken a back seat.

 

Many Italian families migrated to countries like America, Britain, Canada, etc., and settled there for livelihood. Despite being transplanted from their homeland, Italians have retained their talent for arts and performances.

 

This can be seen in the number of great Italian actors in movies across Europe and America. We have many actors of Italian heritage and ancestry who are ruling the roost in Hollywood.

 

With this list today, ENTOIN will give you a look at all the great Italian acting talents currently working in movies.

 

Here is a list of popular Italian actors in Hollywood currently and a few yesteryear heroes who shone brightly in their heydays.

 

Hope you enjoy reading it and find the list interesting.

 

 

 

1. Al Pacino

 

 

 

Al Pacino is a highly respected and esteemed actor from the Italian-American community. His mother and grandparents were from Italy, and after their death, Pacino used his acting job to get over the sorrow.

 

He has nine Academy award nominations (one win), three BAFTA nominations (one win), three Primetime Emmy nominations (two wins), etc.

 

Al Pacino starred in such great films as the Godfather series, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, …And Justice For All, Serpico, Glengarry Glen Ross, Scent of a Woman, The Irishman, Scarface, Dick Tracy, Bobby Deerfield, Author! Author!, Sea Of Love, Phil Spector, Angels in America, Danny Collins, etc.

 

 

 

2. Robert De Niro

 

 

 

Robert De Niro is a well-respected film actor, director, and producer. He has garnered eight Academy Award nominations (winning two), seven BAFTA nominations (eleven Golden Globe nominations (winning two), four Primetime Emmy nominations, and more.

 

De Niro often collaborated with Martin Scorsese in hit films like Raging Bull, Casino, Goodfellas, The Irishman, etc. He also worked in other award-winning films like The Deer Hunter, Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Awakenings, Cape Fear, Silver Linings Playbook, Midnight Run, Wag the Dog, Analyze This, Meet The Parents, etc.

 

 

 

3. Joe Pesci

 

 

 

Joseph Frank Pesci was born to Italian parents. He worked in theater plays in New Jersey and New York from a young age and participated in the variety show Startime Kids.

 

He was also around mafia men who were many years his senior. This gave him a chance to observe and learn their mannerism.

 

Pesci was a part of The Four Seasons band and acted in low-budget films. After Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro discovered him and cast him in the Raging Bull, his luck turned.

 

Pesci starred in films like Casino, Goodfellas, The Irishman, My Cousin Vinny, The Good Shepherd, A Bronx Tale, the Home Alone franchise, Lethal Weapon franchise, etc.

 

Joe Pesci won an Academy Award and a BAFTA. He was nominated for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, three Golden Globes, etc.

 

 

 

4. Nanni Moretti

 

 

 

Giovanni ‘Nanni’ Moretti is an Italian actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He has worked on many award-winning and nominated films in Italy.

 

He won Palme d’Or in 2001, Silver Bear in 1986, Silver Lion in 1981, three David di Donatello Awards, etc.

 

Nanni Moretti’s film credits include Caro Diario, The Son’s Room, Il caimano, The Mess is Ended, Sweet Dreams, We Have a Pope, Red Wood Pigeon, Mia Madre, Three Floors, The Second Time, The Yes man, Quiet Chaos, The Last Customer, etc.

 

 

5. Steve Buscemi

 

 

 

Steve Buscemi is an actor and filmmaker; his family hails from Sicily. He was a former New York City firefighter, and he went back to assist his station during the 9/11 attacks.

 

He worked with the firefighter team and raised awareness for their welfare and benefits. Buscemi is known for playing characters with many gray shades.

 

His prominent films are Reservoir Dogs, Con-Air, Desperado, Big Fish, The Death of Stalin, Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Paris; Je t’aime, Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos, etc.

 

 

6. Roberto Benigni

 

 

 

Roberto Benigni is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. He has written many Italian films and worked in Italian and English films.

 

Benigni gained international recognition for the film Life is beautiful. A film that won Academy Awards, and he wrote, directed, and acted in it.

 

The most memorable performances of Benigni have been in Berlinguer, I Love You, Down by Law, Night on Earth, Coffee and Cigarettes, The Little Devil, Johnny Stecchino, The Monster, Son of Pink Panther, The Tiger and the Snow, etc.

 

 

7. Leonardo DiCaprio

 

 

 

Leonardo DiCaprio has carved a remarkable career in the film industry. With a string of critically acclaimed performances, he has solidified his status as one of the most talented actors of his generation.

 

DiCaprio’s Italian ancestry has played a significant role in shaping his identity. His maternal grandparents were Italian immigrants, instilling in him a strong connection to his Italian heritage.

 

This connection has influenced his choice of roles, including his unforgettable portrayal of Jack Dawson in “Titanic” and his captivating performance as Howard Hughes in “The Aviator.”

 

DiCaprio went on to win his first Academy Award for his role in The Revenant.

 

 

8. Joe Mantegna

 

 

 

Joe Mantegna is the son of Italian parents and grew up in Chicago. After graduating from the Art Institute of Chicago, Mantegna worked on theater plays.

 

He worked in award-winning plays, like Hair, Glengarry Glen Rose, A Life in the Theater, etc. He won a Tony and a Joseph Jefferson Award for his theater work.

 

Joe Mantegna starred in many hit movies and TV series. His acting credits include Three Amigos, The Godfather Part III, Forget Paris, Up Close and Personal, First Monday, Joan of Arcadia, The Last Don, The Rat Pack, The Starter Wife, Criminal Minds, etc.

 

 

9. Paul Giamatti

 

 

 

Paul Giamatti has established himself as a versatile and acclaimed actor in the entertainment industry.

 

His paternal grandparents were Italian immigrants, and Giamatti has portrayed characters with Italian heritage throughout his career.

 

His exceptional acting skills have allowed him to delve into various roles, showcasing his range and versatility.

 

From his captivating performance as Harvey Pekar in “American Splendor” to his portrayal of Barney Panofsky in “Barney’s Version,”

 

Giamatti’s talent shines through in every project. He received acclaim for his performance in  HBO miniseries “John Adams,” Showtime television series “Billions,” etc.

 

 

10. Bradley Cooper

 

 

 

Bradley Cooper has Italian heritage from his mother’s side of the family. In total, Cooper has nine Oscar nominations, four for acting, four for production, and one for the screenplay.

 

Apart from that, he has multiple other accolades like BAFTA, Golden Globe, Grammy, Tony, SAG awards, etc. Apart from producing critically acclaimed films like A Star is Born, American Sniper, Joker, Nightmare Alley, etc.

 

He also acted in those films and American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook, Licorice Pizza, Guardians of the Galaxy, its sequels, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers End Game, etc.

 

 

11. Mark Ruffalo

 

 

 

Mark Alan Ruffalo is an actor and director of Italian descent. He worked in several theaters and Broadway shows before he got his film break.

 

Ruffalo was nominated for three Academy Awards, multiple BAFTAs, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG awards, and more. His most prominent roles were in The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, Spotlight, 13 going on 30, Dark Waters, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Shutter Island, etc.

 

 

12. Terence Hill

 

 

 

Terence Hill was born in Italy, and his birth name is Mario Girotti. He began acting when he was a child when he was discovered by a director at a swimming meet.

 

Initially, he worked in supporting roles and minor appearances. Terence Hill got his first leading role in Guaglione in 1956.

 

Hill followed up his initial success with roles in spaghetti westerns and films like Lo chiamavano Trinità, continuavano a chiamarlo Trinità, Il mio nome è Nessuno, The Leopard, Watch Out We’re Mad, Porgi l’altra guancia, etc.

 

 

13. Danny DeVito

 

 

 

Danny Devito is from an Italian American family, and his early aspirations were to be a beauty expert in a salon run by his sister.

 

DeVito joined the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to learn makeup artistry and hairdressing. Soon, he discovered his love for acting and switched courses.

 

DeVito started working in theater plays and made his silver screen debut. In 1975, he reprised the role of Martin from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a show he acted in.

 

Later, he starred in Taxi, Romancing the Stone, Throw Momma From the Train, Batman Returns, Get Shorty, Junior, LA Confidential, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jumanji: The Next Level, etc.

 

 

14. Sylvester Stallone

 

 

 

Sylvester Stallone is most famous for his various action films and comedies. He is an American actor with an Italian father who immigrated to America. His mother was half french and half German.

 

He entered Hollywood to be a scriptwriter and actor. Stallone faced many rejections and hardships before tasting success with the Rocky franchise. He wrote the screenplay and performed the lead role in the film franchise.

 

Other tremendously successful films include the Rambo franchise, The Expendables films series, the Creed series, Cobra, Tango and Cash, Cliffhanger, Demolition Man, The Specialist, Escape Plan, etc.

 

Sylvester Stallone received an Oscar nomination for best actor and best screenplay for the first Rocky film in 1977.

 

 

15. Steve Carell

 

 

 

Steve Carell is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker of Italian German descent. He is famous for working in comedies, but he also starred in a few highly acclaimed dramas.

 

A few of them are Foxcatcher (earned an Oscar nomination for his role), Vice, Beautiful Boy, etc. Carell began his career as a correspondent at Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

 

Later, he began working in comedies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Evan Almighty, Get Smart, Date Night, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Office, Despicable Me franchise, etc.

 

 

16. Stanley Tucci

 

 

 

Stanley Tucci is an actor and filmmaker of Italian Descent. His family hails from Calabria, Italy. In 2021, he presented a six-part food and travel show called Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and won a Primetime Emmy for it.

 

Tucci is known for his various supporting roles in award-winning films. Some of these are The Lovely Bones, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games series, Burlesque, Easy A, Margin Call Spotlight, Beauty and the Beast, Julie & Julia, Deconstructing Harry, The Terminal, Road to Perdition, etc.

 

 

17. Bobby Cannavale

 

 

 

Robert Michael Bobby Cannavale has Italian Cuban ancestry. He has worked as an actor in film, television, and stage plays.

 

He received two nominations for Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. For his television work, Cannavale earned two Primetime Emmy nominations, four SAG nominations, and won two Emmys.

 

Bobby Cannavale starred in The Station Agent, Blue Jasmine, Nurse Jackie, Boardwalk Empire, Spy, Ant-Man, I, Tonya, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Irishman, Sing 2, Mr. Robot, Vinyl, Master Of None, Will & Grace, etc.

 

 

18. Nicolas Cage

 

 

 

Nicolas Kim Coppola adopted the professional name Nicolas Cage to work as an actor and filmmaker. He hails from the prestigious Coppola family of film directors, producers, and more.

 

Cage studied theater at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and television and appeared in theater plays. Cage worked in films like Raising Arizona, Moonstruck, Wild At Heart, The Rock, Con Air, Face/Off, City of Angels, Windtalkers, Lord of War, The Wicker Man, Knowing, Kick-Ass, Joe, Mandy, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Pig, etc.

 

Nicolas Cage won an Academy Award for Leaving Las Vegas and received a nomination for Adaptation.

 

 

19. Raoul Bova

 

 

 

Raoul Bova is an Italian actor. He was a champion swimmer during school days and joined the Italian Armed Forces after school.

 

While there, he trained to be a sharpshooter; after his tour, Bova came back to begin his acting career.

 

His first role was an uncredited appearance in Quando Eravamo Repressi. Later, Bova starred in Pretty Princess, Palermo-Milan One Way, The Border, Rewind, The Knights of The Quest, facing Windows, Avenging Angelo, Under The Tuscan Sun, Aliens vs. Predators, The Tourist, Bolt, Hercules, The Family Guy, The Addams Family, etc.

 

 

20. Dennis Farina

 

 

 

Dennis Farina was the son of a Sicilian doctor based in Chicago. Farina served in the army during the Vietnam war, and after he returned, he joined the police department.

 

While working as a cop, Farina was a police consultant for the director Michael Mann. This led to his debut role in Thief.

 

After retiring from the police dept, Farina worked in theater plays, films, and TV series. His most memorable roles were in Manhunter, Midnight Run, Get Shorty, Snatch, New Girl, Law & Order, Unsolved Mysteries, Luck, etc.

 

He was often cast as a mobster or a police officer.

 

 

21. Stefano Accorsi

 

 

 

Stefano Accorsi is an Italian actor born in Bologna, Italy, on March 2, 1971. He is best known for his roles in the films “Jack Frusciante è uscito dal gruppo”, “Radiofreccia”, and “L’ultimo bacio”. 

 

Accorsi began his acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in a number of Italian films and television shows. He made his breakthrough in 1996 with his starring role in the film “Jack Frusciante è uscito dal gruppo.” In the following years, Accorsi went on to star in a number of other successful films, including “Le fate ignoranti”, and “Un baiser s’il vous plaît”. 

 

Accorsi is a recipient of several awards, including the David di Donatello for Best Actor for his role in “Radiofreccia” and the Nastro d’Argento for Best New Director for his directorial debut “Io non ti conosco”.He is currently one of the most popular and respected actors in Italy.

 

 

22. Matt LeBlanc

 

 

 

Matt LeBlanc gained international fame with his role as Joey Tribbiani in the hit sitcom Friends. He is half Italian from his mother’s side, and this helped him play many Italian roles in TV series and films even before Friends.

 

LeBlanc also appeared in music videos for Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, Alanis Morisetti, etc. After hitting superstardom with Friends, Matt LeBlanc continued to work in TV series like Joey, Episodes, Top Gear, Man With A Plan, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Web Therapy, etc.

 

He received eight Primetime Emmy nominations, seven SAG nominations, and four Golden Globe nominations. He won a SAG award and a Golden Globe.

 

 

23. John Travolta

 

 

 

John Travolta has Sicilian and Irish ancestry, and he followed his mother to join the acting profession. He is also a singer, and he made his acting debut in the musical play Grease and the broadway show Over Here!.

 

While working on stage, Travolta appeared in TV shows and films like Emergency and Carrie. The role that gained him recognition was in Welcome Back Kotter.

 

He starred in hit films like Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Urban Cowboy, Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty, Broken Arrow, Phenomenon, Face/Off, A Civil Action, Primary Colors, Hairspray, etc.

 

He received two Oscar nominations and won a Golden Globe Award.

 

 

24. Giulio Berruti

 

 

 

Giulio Berruti is an Italian model and actor. He was studying Dentistry in Italy when he was offered a chance to become a model due to his height.

 

Thus began his modeling career, and he walked the ramp in many fashion shows. In 2003, Berruti began to steer toward acting as a career and appeared in Tv series and films like The Lizzie McGuire Movie, La figlia di Elisa – Ritorno a Rivombrosa, Black Arrow, Angeli & Diamanti, Melissa P, Monte Carlo, Walking on Sunshine, Gabriel’s Inferno, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, etc.

 

 

25. Flavio Parenti

 

 

 

Flavio Parenti is an Italian actor, director, and producer. He is known for his roles in the films “Sogno farfalle quantiche”, “#ByMySide”, etc. Parenti began his acting career in 2004 and appeared in over 35 films and television shows, including “Tell Me About Love”, “1993”, “Leonardo”, and “To Rome with Love”.

 

In addition to acting, Parenti has also directed and produced several films. He is the founder of the cultural association NoNameS, through which he produced and directed his films “Sogno farfalle quantiche” and “#ByMySide”.

 

Parenti is a versatile and talented actor who has made significant contributions to Italian cinema. He is a recipient of several awards, including the “Best Film” award at the DIY Film Fest in Los Angeles for his film “Sogno farfalle quantiche” and the “Best Web Series” award at the SIAE Awards for his film “#ByMySide”.

 

 

26. Giovanni Ribisi

 

 

 

Giovanni Ribisi is an actor, and is the son of the musician Albert Anthony Ribisi from the rock band People!.

 

He began acting as a child in series like My Two Dads, The New Leave It to Beaver, The Wonder Years, The Gift, etc.

 

The most popular roles of Ribisi have been in Sneaky Pete, My Name is Earl, Friends, Saving Private Ryan, Avatar, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Lost in Translation, Cold Mountain, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Ted, Selma, etc.

 

 

27. Chris Messina

 

 

 

Christopher Messina is an actor, writer, director, and producer who was noticed for his work in the Fox TV series, The Mindy Project.

 

He won accolades for his role in the series. Messina appeared in other TV series like  Six Feet Under, Damages, Sharp Objects, The Newsroom, The Sinner, Gaslit, etc.

 

Messine starred in acclaimed films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Julie & Julia, Devil, Argo, Ruby Sparks, Celeste and Jesse Forever, Cake, Birds of Prey, I Care a Lot, etc.

 

In 2012, Messina wrote, directed, and executive produced two films, titled Fairhaven and Alex of Venice.

 

 

28. Alan Alda

 

 

 

Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo shortened his name to Alan Alda. He is an actor and a comedian famous for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the TV series M. A. S. H. Alda’s father was an Italian actor who worked on Broadway shows and films.

 

The most notable films and TV shows by Alan Alda are The West Wing, 30 Rock, Same Time, Next Year, The Four Seasons, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Flirting with Disaster, Bridge of Spies, Marriage Story, The Aviator, etc.

 

Alda was nominated for an Academy Award for Best supporting actor for The Aviator.

 

 

29. Jon Favreau

 

 

 

Jon Favreau is an actor, director, and producer. His father was partly of Italian ancestry and that’s the reason we have included him in the list. He is also a comedian, and he dropped out of college to move to Chicago to join the ImprovOlympics and the Improv Institute.

 

He joined acting and worked on comedy roles in Rudy, Deep Impact, The Replacements, Couples Retreat, The Break-up, etc.

 

Later, Favreau began to direct films and made Elf, Zathura: A Space Adventure, IronMan, Cowboys & Aliens, Chef, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, etc.

 

He continued to act in MCU as Happy Hogan in all three Iron Man movies, all three Spider-man movies, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, etc.

 

 

30. Nino Manfredi

 

 

 

Saturnino ‘Nino’ Manfredi was called one of the few truly complete actors in Italian cinema. He has worked in every role in media, from acting, directing, singing, and screenwriting to radio and television presenting, etc.

 

He won six David di Donatello awards, six Nastro d’Argento awards and the Prix de la première oeuvre for his films.

 

Some of the most memorable performances of Manfredi have been in Between Miracles, Bread and Chocolate, Cafe Express, The Conspirators, In nome del papa re, Attenti al Buffone, Nell’anno del Signore, etc.

 

 

31. Milo Ventimiglia

 

 

 

Milo Ventimiglia is the son of Peter Ventimiglia, a Vietnam War veteran of Italian-Sicilian descent. He became interested in acting and attended the American Conservatory Theater.

 

He graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a theater major. Ventimiglia starred in the TV series Opposite Sex, Gilmore Girls, Heroes, American Dreams, The Bedford Diaries, Mob City, Chosen, The Whispers, This Is Us, etc.

 

His film roles include Rocky Balboa, Creed II, Pathology, That’s My Boy, Kiss of the Damned, Grace of Monaco, Devil’s Gate, The Art of Racing in the Rain, etc.

 

 

32. Michael Badalucco

 

 

 

Michael Badalucco is an Italian American actor. He attended the State University of New York in New Paltz. After that, he worked in supporting roles in several films and television series.

 

Badalucco won a Primetime Emmy for his role as the attorney, Jimmy Berluti, in The Practice. Badalucco debuted in the film Raging Bull and worked in Desperately Seeking Susan, Miller’s Crossing, Jungle Fever, Mac, Léon: The Professional, Summer of Sam, O Brother, Where Art Thou? The Man Who Wasn’t There, You’ve Got Mail, etc.

 

 

33. Armand Assante

 

 

 

Armand Assante is an American actor of Italian heritage. He is most remembered for his role as the mafia boss, John Gotti, in the TV film Gotti.

 

Assante portrayed the real-life mob boss of the Gambino family and won a Primetime Emmy for his portrayal. The role also earned him a nomination for Golden Globe Award and a SAG award.

 

Assante was cast in TV series and films like How to Survive a Marriage, The Lords of Flatbush, The Odyssey, When Nietzsche Wept, I, the Jury, The Mambo Kings, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, Judge Dredd, NCIS, Chuck, etc.

 

 

34. Giancarlo Giannini

 

 

 

Giancarlo Giannini is an Italian actor, screenwriter, and director. He graduated from Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D’Amico.

 

After that, he began his stage career with Shakespearean plays. He debuted in films in 1965 and played his first lead role in Rita the Mosquito.

 

The memorable performances of Giannini are in The Seduction of Mimi, Love and Anarchy, Swept Away, Seven Beauties, The Innocent, Lili Marleen, New York Stories, A Walk in the Clouds, Man on Fire, Quantum of Solace, etc.

 

He earned an Academy Award nomination and won five David di Donatello Awards.

 

 

35. Omero Antonutti

 

 

 

Omero Antonutti was a well-respected Italian actor and voice actor. He worked in a shipping yard before he decided to take acting as a profession.

 

He worked at Italian theaters like Teatro Stabile di Trieste and at the Teatro Stabile di Genova. In 1966, Antonutti made his screen debut and appeared in several Italian films like Pleasant Nights, El Sur, Padre Padrone, El Dorado, and Genesis: The Creation and the Flood.

 

He also had a long career as a voice actor and dubbed for great actors like Christopher Lee, James Cromwell, Christopher Plummer, Robert Duvall, etc.

 

 

36. Tony Danza

 

 

 

Anthony Salvatore Iadanza shortened his name to Tony Danza. He is an American actor of Italian Sicilian ancestry as both his parents are from Italy.

 

He got recognition for his role in the award-winning TV series Taxi. Danza continued his work with TV sitcoms like Who’s The Boss, The Tony Danza Show, Family Law, There’s…Johnny, Hudson Street, The Practice, etc.

 

He acted in the films Angels in the Outfield, Don Jon, Cloud 9, Crash, Stealing Christmas, etc.

 

 

37. Peter Capaldi

 

 

 

Peter Capaldi is a Scottish actor and director of Italian ancestry. He is well-known for his role as the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor from the hit British sci-fi series Doctor Who.

 

He has won many accolades, including four BAFTA nominations, a BAFTA award, and an Academy Award for Best live-action Short film.

 

Capaldi worked as an actor and director in prominent projects like Doctor Who, The Thick of It, In The Loop, Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Strictly Sinatra, Getting On, Paddington, Paddington 2, Christopher Robin, The Suicide Squad, etc.

 

 

38. David Boreanaz

 

 

 

David Boreanaz is an actor, director, and producer of Italian- Slovenian descent. He became famous as the vampire Angel in the WB/UPN supernatural series Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

 

Boreanaz was given his own spinoff show and reprised the role in the series Angel. Boreanaz starred in other successful TV series like FOX comedy-drama Bones, CBS military drama SEAL Team, Valentine, Justice League: The New Frontier (Video), Officer Down, The Mighty Macs, etc. he also appeared in the music video of Dido for the song, White Flag.

 

 

39. Nick Jonas

 

 

 

Nick Jonas is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He has Sicilian – Italian heritage from his great-grandfather. Jonas was part of the hit American boyband, Jonas Brothers.

 

They released several studio albums and singles and won Grammy awards. Jonas appeared in the Disney show Camp Rock, its sequel, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, and Jonas before 2010.

 

Later, he went back to concentrating on his music career. In 2017, Nick Jonas made a comeback with  Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, etc.

 

 

40. Tony Bennett

 

 

 

Anthony Dominick Benedetto is the birth name of Tony Bennett. He is the son of Italian immigrant parents and joined the army during the last months of World War II.

 

After the war ended, Bennett signed a deal with Columbia records to sing, and his signature style was traditional pop, jazz, and show tunes.

 

Although his music career was flourishing, Bennett also starred in TV series and films. He played guest roles and cameo performances.

 

He was cast in Muppets Most Wanted, The Oscar, The Simpsons, 30 Rock, Blue Bloods, Entourage, Analyze This, etc.

 

 

41. Scott Baio

 

 

 

Scott Baio is best known for his role as Chachi Arcola in the sitcom Happy Days. Baio is the son of Italian immigrant parents, and his cousins Jimmy Baio and Chris Baio are also in show business.

 

Scott Baio debuted with the title role in the musical Bugsy Malone. Later, Baio worked in TV sitcoms like Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi, Charles In-charge, Diagnosis Murder, See Dad Run, etc.

 

He also worked as a director in Charles In Charge, The Wayan Bros., The Jamie Foxx Show,  Out of This World, etc.

 

 

42. Michael Cera

 

 

 

Michael Cera is an actor of Sicilian ancestry from his father’s family. He developed a love for acting after watching Ghostbusters.

 

Cera is known for his various comedy roles in hit films and TV series. He also did voice acting in animated TV series.

 

Michael Cera’s acting credits include Superbad, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Juno, Arrested Development, This is The End, Sausage Party, The Lego Batman movies, etc.

 

Cera also worked in Broadway plays and has received a Tony award nomination for Lobby Hero.

 

 

43. Zachary Quinto

 

 

 

Zachary Quinto is of Italian heritage from his father’s side. He realized he had a flair for drama and enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University’s arts program.

 

He worked in many TV series in recurring and supporting roles in The Others, Charmed, Touched By An Angel, etc.

 

The role that brought recognition to Quinto was that of Spock in the Star Trek reboot film franchise. He reprised the role in two other Star Trek movies.

 

He also starred in Heroes, NOS4A2, American Horror Story, Margin Call, Hitman: Agent 47, What’s Your Number? etc.

 

 

44. Joe Manganiello

 

 

 

Joe Manganiello was heavily into sports during his high school years. He played football, basketball, and volleyball at the varsity level, but a spate of injuries kept him away from sports.

 

So Manganiello took up his next greatest love for acting and joined Carnegie Mellon University to study drama. After graduating, he worked in Sam Raimi’s Spider-man as Flash Thompson.

 

His most popular work was as the werewolf Alcide Herveaux in the series Trueblood. Manganiello’s other notable roles are in Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Sabotage, How I Met Your Mother, etc.

 

 

45. John Cena

 

 

 

John Cena is a professional wrestler and actor. He is a highly regarded WWE wrestler with a record number of championship reigns.

 

He is tied with Ric Flair for the number of championship reigns in professional wrestling history. John Cena began his acting career in 2000 with a role in the action film The Marine.

 

He stars mostly in action flicks and comedy movies, including The Suicide Squad, Ferdinand, Blockers, F9 (Fast and Furious saga), etc.

 

Recently Cena has received a lot of appreciation for his role in Peacemaker (2022).

 

 

46. Peter Facinelli

 

 

 

Peter Facinelli is the son of Italian immigrant parents. He studied acting at New York University and Atlantic Theater Company Acting School.

 

He worked in supporting roles and guest roles in films and TV series. Facinelli starred in Angela, An Unfinished Affair, Calm at Sunset, Riding in the Car with Boys, Supernova, Scorpion King, etc.

 

The role that garnered fame for Facinelli was in Can’t Hardly Wait, the TV series Fastlane, and the successful hit franchise of The Twilight Saga, Nurse Jackie, Supergirl, etc.

 

 

47. Justin Baldoni

 

 

 

Justin Baldoni was not very keen on acting. He was an athlete who played soccer and ran track. Based on the advice of a new neighbor, Baldoni decided to try acting and enrolled in college.

 

Although he dropped out midways, Baldoni continued his interest in acting and became a filmmaker. Baldoni is recognized for his role as Rafael Solano in Jane The Virgin.

 

He also acted and made the films Clouds, Five Feet Apart, After Dusk They Come, Con Man, Everwood, The Bold and Beautiful, Single Ladies, Madame Secretary, etc.

 

 

48. Lorenzo Balducci

 

 

 

Lorenzo Balducci was born in Italy and began training in acting at the age of 14 years. He worked in theater plays, mostly Shakespeare’s plays, during his early days.

 

He began with Romeo and Juliet, and he continued to work in Dignità autonome di prostituzione, Spoglia-Toy, Allegro, Non Troppo, etc.

 

Balducci’s film and television roles include Questo Amore, 48 ore, Giorni de Leone and its second season, Le Cose che Restano, The Knights of the Quest, Incanto, Three Steps Over Heaven, Gas, Ce n’è per tutti, etc.

 

 

49. Pete Davidson

 

 

 

Pete Davidson has a German, Irish, and Italian heritage in his family. He is an actor, comedian, and writer who is famous for his work on Saturday Night Live.

 

He joined the sketch comedy show in 2014 as a cast member and comedy writer and worked for eight seasons.

 

Pete Davidson wrote and starred in his film King of Staten Island and worked in black comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies, Suicide Squad, Marmaduke, etc.

 

In TV he had guest roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Friends of the People, Guy Code, Wild n Out, etc.

 

 

50. Vittorio De Sica

 

 

 

Vittorio De Sica was the most respected and highly acclaimed name in Italian cinema. He has long since passed away, yet his legacy is unparalleled.

 

He was an actor, director, and filmmaker. Fout of his films won Academy Awards in different categories, and he was also nominated for an Oscar for best actor for A Farewell to Arms.

 

The most recognized works of De Sica are  Sciuscià, Bicycle Thieves, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Il Giardino Dei Finzi Contini, The Gold of Naples, Umberto D. Il Generale Della Rovere, Storia dei Fratelli e de cortelli, etc.