Skip to content
MovieCove
Danny Aiello

Danny Aiello

Actor, also producer · Died December 12, 2019, aged 86 · Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee

Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. (June 20, 1933 – December 12, 2019) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous films, including The Godfather Part II (1974), The Front (1976), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Moonstruck (1987), Harlem Nights (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), Ruby (1992), Léon: The Professional (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), Dinner Rush (2000), and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). He had a pivotal role in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing (1989) as Salvatore "Sal" Frangione, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also played Don Domenico Clericuzio in the miniseries The Last Don (1997).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 20, 1933
Died
December 12, 2019 (aged 86)
From
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
62 on MovieCove · 100 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 39% in 30 days

What are Danny Aiello's films like?

Across their 53 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy23 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
32%
Morality
24%
Self
15%
Survival
9%
Power
9%
Society
8%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds17 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 52 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 20 · Serious 13 · Dark 19

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 34 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 12 · Charged 22 · Intense 18

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 24 · Shifting 21 · Whiplash 7

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 16 · Funny 13

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 22 · Even-paced 28 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 23 · Engaged 23 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 24 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 12

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 38 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

34 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 9 of 34 analyzed roles.

Mentor
9 of 34
Hero
7 of 34
Ally
6 of 34
Threshold guardian
5 of 34
Shadow
3 of 34
Herald
2 of 34
Trickster
1 of 34
Shapeshifter
1 of 34
Show the 34 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
32
Warm
18
Melancholic
21
Joyful
13
Absurd
10
Other
43

How their films linger

Feel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy17
  • Bittersweet24
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous8
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Danny Aiello's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 62 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Danny Aiello's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

100 credits, 62 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Once Upon a Time in Jersey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • One Moment(2021)

    as Joe McGuinness

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Making a Deal with the Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Mario

  • The Last Big Save(2019)

    as Louis Brown

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Little Italy(2018)

    as Carlo

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Olympia(2018)

    as Mr. Johnny Cammareri

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Neighborhood(2017)

    as Joseph Donatello

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Difficult People(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Aiello (voice)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Henry & Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Dr. Acosta (voice)

  • Reach Me(2014)

    as Father Paul

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Stiffs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Frank Tramontana

  • Madonna: Celebration - The Video Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")

  • The Last Request (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Pop

  • Lucky Number Slevin(2006)

    as Roth

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Brooklyn Lobster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Frank Giorgio

  • Zeyda and the Hitman(2004)

    as Nathan

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Mail Order Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Tony Santini

  • Off Key(2001)

    as Fabrizio Benini

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Prince of Central Park(2000)

    as Noah Cairn

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Dinner Rush(2000)

    as Louis Cropa

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Mambo Café (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Joey

  • 18 Shades of Dust(1999)

    as Vincent Dianni

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Rat Pack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 4 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

  • Wilbur Falls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Philip Devereaux

  • The Last Don II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Don Domenico Clericuzio

  • A Brooklyn State of Mind(1998)

    as Danny Parente

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Dellaventura (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 14 episodes · Executive Producer · as Anthony Dellaventura

  • The Last Don (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Don Domenico Clericuzio

  • Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years After Willowbrook(1996)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis(1997)

    as Mr. Rathbone

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Mojave Moon(1996)

    as Al

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • 2 Days in the Valley(1996)

    as Dosmo Pizzo

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • City Hall(1996)

    as Frank Anselmo

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Two Much(1995)

    as Gene

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Power of Attorney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Joseph Scassi

  • The Watcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Brothers' Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Duke

  • Lieberman in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Joe Lieberman

  • Ready to Wear(1994)

    as Major Hamilton

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Léon: The Professional(1994)

    as Old Tony

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Me and the Kid(1993)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Pickle(1993)

    as Harry Stone

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Cemetery Club(1993)

    as Ben Katz

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Mistress(1992)

    as Carmine Rasso

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Ruby(1992)

    as Jack Ruby

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • 29th Street(1991)

    as Frank Pesce Sr.

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Rabbit Ears - Pinocchio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Hudson Hawk(1991)

    as Tommy Five-Tone

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Once Around(1991)

    as Joe Bella

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")

  • Jacob's Ladder(1990)

    as Louis

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Closer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Chester Grant

  • Harlem Nights(1989)

    as Phil Cantone

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Preppie Murder(1989)

    as Mike Sheehan

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Do the Right Thing(1989)

    as Sal

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Shocktroop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as John Cunningham

  • White Hot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Charlie Buick

  • The January Man(1989)

    as Captain Vincent Alcoa

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Third Solution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as George Sherman

  • Alone in the Neon Jungle(1988)

    as Chief

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Moonstruck(1987)

    as Mr. Johnny Cammareri

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Pick-up Artist(1987)

    as Phil Harper

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Man on Fire(1987)

    as Conti

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Daddy(1987)

    as Coach Jacobs

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Hustler of Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Master of Ceremonies

  • U.S. Marshals: Waco & Rhinehart(1987)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Radio Days(1987)

    as Rocco

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Lady Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 14 episodes · as Lt. Terry McNichols

  • Key Exchange (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Carabello

  • The Protector(1985)

    as Danny Garoni

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Stuff(1985)

    as Vickers

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Purple Rose of Cairo(1985)

    as Monk

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Night Heat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Deathmask (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Capt. Mike Grasso

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Tommy Vale

  • Old Enough(1984)

    as Mr. Bruckner

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Time in America(1984)

    as Police Chief Aiello

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Blood Feud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Randy Powers

  • Blood Feud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Randy Powers

  • A Question of Honor(1982)

    as Martelli

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Gemini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Fran Geminiani

  • Chu Chu and the Philly Flash(1981)

    as Johnson

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Nurse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Gene Halley

  • Fort Apache the Bronx(1981)

    as Morgan

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Hide in Plain Sight(1980)

    as Sal Carvello

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Defiance(1980)

    as Carmine

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part II(1978)

    as Bernie Serino

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bloodbrothers(1978)

    as Artie

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Tenant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Carl

  • Fingers(1978)

    as Butch

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • On Our Own(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Skip Mazarelli

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Hooch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Tony

  • The Andros Targets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lt. Phil Lombardi

  • The Front(1976)

    as Danny LaGattuta

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Master of Ceremonies (uncredited) · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Godfather Part II(1974)

    as Tony Rosato

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Godmothers(1973)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Matty

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Bang the Drum Slowly(1973)

    as Horse

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • ABC Afterschool Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Dominic Ginetti

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles, 98 of them dated from 1972 to 2021; peak year 1990.

Biggest box office

Moonstruck (1987)

$81M worldwide

Highest rated

Léon: The Professional (1994)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19722021

Peak 1990 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 15 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting97 of 99: 96 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score40thDirecting1 of 99: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing2 of 99: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s14 · acting1980s34 · 33 acting · 1 crew1990s31 · 30 acting · 2 crew2000s10 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 21% of 34 roles
73838893

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 major nominations and no wins, 1990.

  1. 1990
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Danny Aiello's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 58; across their 52 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Approval · how many liked their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Midcredits score across 62 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th18
  • Below 25th20

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 62 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed25

Most divisive · actor

The Godmothers (1973)

99th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 44 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Danny Aiello's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore11 titles11–89 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles22–72 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles35–93 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles25–63 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles11–87 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Danny Aiello work with?

People who share at least 2 of Danny Aiello's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Harvey Keitel shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles