Daniel Louis "Danny" Aiello Jr. (1933-2019) was an Italian-American actor known for his prolific career portraying tough guys and nuanced characters in film, television, and theater. With over 70 film appearances, Aiello didn't begin acting until his late 30s, after a diverse early life that included serving in the U.S. Army, working as a union official, and a bouncer at a comedy club. He drew upon his life experiences in New York City to inform his performances.
Aiello gained recognition for roles in films such as "The Godfather Part II" (1974), where he ad-libbed the line "Michael Corleone says hello!", "Moonstruck" (1987) as Cher's befuddled fiancé, and Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" (1989), where he played Sal, a pizzeria owner, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also played Madonna’s father in the “Papa Don’t Preach” music video. Beyond acting, Aiello also had a singing career, releasing several big band albums. Danny Aiello passed away on December 12, 2019, at the age of 86, following a brief illness.
