Joe Grifasi
Acting
Joseph G. "Joe" Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television. Born in Buffalo, New York, Grifasi joined the U.S. Army prior to studying acting. He has appeared in more than 50 feature films including Presumed Innocent, The Deer Hunter, Big Business, Beaches, Auto Focus, Matewan, Naked Gun, Dark Matter, Natural Born Killers, Chances Are, Changing Lanes, One Fine Day, F/X, Benny & Joon, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Brewster’s Millions, Batman Forever, The Flamingo Kid, Ironweed, and Splash. His television credits include The Bronx is Burning (as Yogi Berra), 61* (as Phil Rizzuto), Law & Order, ER, LA Law, Chicago Hope, Hill Street Blues, SCTV, Roseanne, and The Practice. Grifasi’s Broadway credits include Dinner at Eight, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, A Memory of Two Mondays, Boy Meets Girl, The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The 1940’s Radio Hour and Happy End. His off-Broadway credits include Conversations in Tusculum, The Boys Next Door (Drama Desk Nomination), Once Around the City, Golden Boy, Filumena and Says I, Says He. He has been married to jazz soprano saxophonist and composer Jane Ira Bloom, whom he met while studying at the Yale School of Drama, since 1974.
Known for
Acting109
movieTornado
2024
Rich
movieEndgame
2023
Nagg
movieThe Dreams of Rene Sendam
2022
Dr. Bradley
movieMe To Play
2021
Himself
movieRadium Girls
2020
Grandpa
tvI Know This Much Is True
2020
Steve Falice
tvEvil
2019
Lombino
tvNew Amsterdam
2018
Lilo Steinhauser
tvThe Good Fight
2017
Judge John Mata
movieNo Pay, Nudity
2016
Mr. Davenport
movieBaked in Brooklyn
2016
David's Dad
tvBull
2016
Judge Arlen Rand / Judge Rand
movieThe American Side
2016
The Serb
movieA Midsummer Night's Dream
2014
Peter Quince
tvElementary
2012
Captain Moretti
movieThe Front
2010
Mr. Zeffirelli
tvThe Good Wife
2009
Judge John Mata
tvThe Bronx Is Burning
2007
Yogi Berra
movieA Crime
2006
Bill
tvConviction
2006
Judge Harrigan
movieSlow Burn
2005
Desk Sgt. Drown
movieA Jersey Tale
2004
Alphonso "Chunks" Colon
movie13 Going on 30
2004
Mr. Flamhaff
tvTarzan
2003
Lieutenant Scott Connor
movieAuto Focus
2002
Strip Club M.C.
movieChanging Lanes
2002
Judge Cosell
movieQueenie in Love
2001
Berthold
movie61*
2001
Phil Rizzuto
tvSome of My Best Friends
2001
Joe Zito
tvDeadline
2000
Mike Phelan
movieThe Other Me
2000
Conrad
tvThe Beat
2000
Vince Marinelli
tvLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Hashi Horowitz
movieThe Out-of-Towners
1999
Arresting Cop
movieThe Deal
1998
Boular
movieSunday
1997
Scottie Elster
tvThe Practice
1997
Harry Papp
movieOne Fine Day
1996
Manny Feldstein
movieShadow of a Doubt
1996
Sidney Sherman
tvEarly Edition
1996
Harry Hawks
tvRemember WENN
1996
Larry Looper
movieMoney Train
1995
Riley
movieTwo Bits
1995
Uncle Joe
movieBatman Forever
1995
Bank Guard
tvER
1994
Tom Williams
tvChicago Hope
1994
Larry Ruscetti
movieNatural Born Killers
1994
Deputy Sheriff Duncan Homolka
movieHousehold Saints
1993
Frank Manzone
movieTaking the Heat
1993
Lou Valentine
tvClass of '96
1993
Joe Morrisey
tvSinatra
1992
George Evans
movieCitizen Cohn
1992
Gerald Walpin
moviePrimary Motive
1992
Paul Melton
tvWIOU
1990
Tony Pro
tvLaw & Order
1990
Ezra Gould / Defense Attorney James Linde
moviePresumed Innocent
1990
Tommy Molto
movieKojak: Ariana
1989
Lieutenant Rastelli
moviePerfect Witness
1989
Breeze
movieThe Feud
1989
Bud Bullard
tvRoseanne
1988
IRS Office Supervisor
movieBig Business
1988
Desk Clerk
movieMoonstruck
1987
Shy Waiter
movieMatewan
1987
Fausto
movieOne Police Plaza
1986
Insp. Nicolas Zambrano
tvL.A. Law
1986
Dominic Nuzzi
tvMatlock
1986
Hot Dog Vendor
movieF/X
1986
Mickey
tvThe Equalizer
1985
Lt. Vocek
movieBrewster's Millions
1985
J.B. Donaldo
tvMoonlighting
1985
Kapatkin
movieThe Flamingo Kid
1984
Mario Minetta
movieThe Pope of Greenwich Village
1984
Jimmy the Cheese Man
movieSplash
1984
Manny
movieStill of the Night
1982
Joseph Vitucci
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Bud Bullard
movieThe Elephant Man
1982
Pinhead Manager
The 6th Annual Young Comedians
1981
Self (Audience Member) (uncredited)
movieHonky Tonk Freeway
1981
Osvaldo
movieThe Gentleman Bandit
1981
Det. Esposito
tvHill Street Blues
1981
Ronnie Delacroce
movieHide in Plain Sight
1980
Matty Stanek
movieSomething Short of Paradise
1979
Barney Collins
movieThe Deer Hunter
1978
Bandleader
movieOn the Yard
1978
Morris
movieSecret Service
1977
Cpl. Matson
tvGreat Performances
1971
Cpl. Matson