Stanley Tucci – Italian American Actor, Director & Writer
Growing up, my family used to play the Big Night soundtrack. I became obsessed with some of the songs, especially “5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days” by Louis Prima. It wasn’t until I was older that I actually watched the movie. The film is not only funny, but touches on great Italian food, family and the immigrant story of trying to achieve the American dream. While I knew Stanley Tucci was one of the stars of the film, it wasn’t until recently that I realized he was also the writer and director of the film. Tucci has definitely been in some great films, but I still say Big Night is my favorite.
Stanley Tucci was born on November 11, 1960 in Peekskill, NY, to parents Joan Tropiano and Stanley Tucci, both Italian American’s with roots in Calabria. He showed a strong interest in acting and theater when he was growing up. After graduating in 1982 with his Bachelor’s degree in drama, he moved to New York City and performed in productions both on and off-Broadway. In 1985, Tucci made his film debut in the critically acclaimed Prizzi’s Honor.
After a number of minor and supporting roles in a number of television and film projects, Tucci decided to write, direct and star in Big Night – a movie about Italian immigrant brothers working together to run a restaurant in New Jersey. Tucci won the Waldo Scott Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival for Big Night. In 1998, he starred in the television film Winchell and won a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for Best Lead Actor. Stanley has also starred in works covering a wide range of genres including ER, Monk, The Italian Americans, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games and Spotlight. In 2002, he starred on Broadway in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
