Quick Facts
Biography
Frank Sivero (born Francesco LoGiudice, January 6, 1952) is an Italian-American character actor, perhaps best known for playing the roles of Genco Abbandando in Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II and Frankie Carbone (based on Angelo Sepe) in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.
Early life
Sivero was born Francesco LoGiudice in Siculiana, Sicily, Italy, and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Career
Sivero can be seen as an extra in The Godfather as one of the witnesses to Sonny Corleone's brutal beating of his brother-in-law, Carlo. Goodfellas Director Martin Scorsese cast him as Frankie Carbone after seeing his performance in The Godfather Part II. He also appeared in The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.
The Simpsons lawsuit
In October 2014, Sivero initiated a $250 million lawsuit against Fox Television Studios. The lawsuit alleges that in 1989 Sivero was living next door to writers from The Simpsons and the writers knew he was working on his Goodfellas character. It alleges the writers "were aware the entire character of 'Frankie Carbone' was created and developed by Sivero, who based this character on his own personality." A short time later, a character named Louie began appearing on The Simpsons. Louie has been described as a mafioso character, second in command to Fat Tony, and similar in appearance and mannerisms to Sivero, and his "likeness is being infringed in violation of California's publicity rights law." The case was dismissed in August 2015, with the judge asserting it was a parody of several Mob characters.
Filmography
- The Godfather (1972) - extra in the Sonny beats Carlo scene (uncredited)
- Shamus (1973) - Bookie
- The Gambler (1974) - Donny's driver
- The Godfather Part II (1974) - Genco Abbandando
- New York, New York (1977) - Eddie DiMuzio
- The Billion Dollar Hobo (1977) - Ernie
- Fyre (1979) - Pickpocket
- Sunnyside (1979) - Dezi
- Going Ape! (1981) - Bad Habit
- Fighting Back (1982) - Frank Russo
- Blood Feud (1983) - Anthony Russo
- Fear City (1984) - Mobster #2
- The Ratings Game (1984) - Bruno
- Ruthless People (1986) - Mugger
- 52 Pick-Up (1986) - Vendor
- The Galucci Brothers (1987) - Frankie
- Crossing the Mob (1988) - Frank
- Goodfellas (1990) - Frank Carbone
- Cop and a Half (1993) - Chu
- Fist of Honor (1993) - Frankie Pop
- Painted Desert (1993) - Johnny
- Possessed by the Night (1994) - Murray Dunlap
- Dumb Luck in Vegas (1997) - Snake
- The Wedding Singer (1998) - Andy
- Urban Relics (1998) - Tommy Two-Lips
- Foolish (1999) - Giovanni
- Mariah#1's (1999) - Henchman (segment "Honey")
- Carlo's Wake (1999) - Uncle Leo
- Little Nicky (2000) - Alumni Hall Announcer
- The Devil and Daniel Webster (2001) - Luigi
- Truth Be Told (2002) - LaTrenta
- The Aviator (2004) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Eddie Monroe (2006) - Angelo
- Ring of Death (2008) - Tommy Micelli
- Hotel California (2008) - Sal