Chick Vennera
Quick Facts
Biography
Chick Vennera (born March 27, 1947) is an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon, in Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War, among other movies, and often serves as a voice double for Joe Pesci.
Acting
After serving in the US Army Signal Corps, Vennera embarked on a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. His first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year.
He continued as a performer and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday where he performed a dance routine on top of several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with him appearing in many films and television series. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls.
Vennera also ventured into voice acting in the 1980s with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role is Pesto on Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's hit animated series Animaniacs. Vennera now teaches acting.
Selected filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Thank God It's Friday | Marv Gomez aka the Leatherman | |
1979 | Yanks | Danny | |
1981 | High Risk | Tony | |
1988 | The Milagro Beanfield War | Joe Mondragon | |
1991 | The Terror Within II | Kyle | |
1991 | McBain | Roberto Santos | |
1997 | Time Under Fire | Spitz | |
1999 | Wakko's Wish | Pesto Goodfeather | Voice |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978-1980 | Vega$ | Mitch Costigian | |
1985-1987 | The Jetsons | Additional voices | |
1986 | Foofur | Sam | Voice |
1986 | Diff'rent Strokes | Spider | |
1989 | The Golden Girls | Pepe/Enrique | 3 episodes |
1993-1998 | Animaniacs | Pesto Goodfeather | Voice |
1996-1997 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Lorenzo | Voice |
1998 | JAG | Benny Turpin | 2 episodes |
2000 | That's Life | Luciano | |
2002-2004 | Static Shock | Ferrett | Voice |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Bayonetta | Enzo | Voice |
Personal life
Vennera spent time in the U.S. Army signal corps. He also spent time as a musician, playing in various nightclubs in Los Angeles.