Details of Tony Giorgio’s Career Beginnings
Giorgio began his career in show business as an amateur performing magic in talent shows for pay. He joined a circus at the age of 12, after running away from home. His first appearance in films was as a card dealer in Big Hand for the Little Lady. Playboy Clubs hired him to work as the resident gambling expert, and lectures on gambling scams. He performed at venues such as casinos, film studios, country clubs, and fraternal clubs. He was one of the first performances at The Magic Castle nightclub and won Close up Magician of the Year in the 1990s.
One of Giorgio’s most notable early roles was in the 1972 film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Although his role was minor, appearing as Don Tommasino, a Sicilian mafia boss, it was a significant step in his career. The film’s massive success and cultural impact brought Giorgio wider recognition, and he became associated with the gangster genre.
He appeared in popular TV shows such as:
- Kojak
- The Rockford Files
- The Sting
- The Man with the Golden Gun
- Starsky & Hutch
Often playing characters with a criminal edge, his ability to convey menace and authority made him a sought-after actor for roles requiring a tough, no-nonsense demeanor. Giorgio also appeared in The Jerk in 1979, a comedy starring Steve Martin. He guest-starred in numerous television series The Pope of Greenwich Village in 1984 and The Sicilian in 1987. Tony Giorgio’s career was defined by his ability to embody a wide range of characters, from menacing mobsters to comedic hitmen.
Tony Giorgio’s Early Life and Family
Joseph Anthony Giorgio was born on September 27, 1923 in Herkimer, NY. He was married to Kaye S Jacobs from 1971 till 2012. He rarely spoke about his personal life, preferring to let his work speak for itself. After years of struggling with a heart condition, he died on February 1, 2012 in Van Nuys, California due to heart failure. His death marked the end of a career that spanned over five decades, during which he contributed to some of the most iconic films and television shows of his time. While he never achieved leading man status, Giorgio’s work as a character actor left an indelible mark on the industry.
