What was Danny Aiello's Net Worth and Salary?
Danny Aiello was an American actor with a net worth of $6 million at his death in 2019. He passed away on December 12, 2019, at 86. Aiello was celebrated for roles in films like "Once Upon a Time in America," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Moonstruck," "Ruby," and "Do the Right Thing," which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also had starring roles in TV miniseries "The Last Don" and the crime series "Dellaventura." On stage, he appeared in Broadway productions like "Wheelbarrow Closers," "Gemini," and "Hurlyburly."
Early Life
Danny Aiello was born on June 20, 1933, in Manhattan, New York City, as the fifth of six children to Daniel Sr. and Frances. His father was a laborer, and his mother, a seamstress from Naples, Italy. After Aiello's mother lost her sight, his father left the family. At age seven, he moved to the South Bronx and later attended James Monroe High School.
Career Beginnings
Aiello lied about his age at 16 to join the US Army, serving for three years. Returning to New York, he took on various jobs and became president of the Amalgamated Transit Union's New York Local 1202, representing Greyhound Bus workers. Aiello also worked as a bouncer at the Improv comedy club in New York City.
Film Career, Part 1
In 1973, Aiello's film debut was as a ballplayer named Horse in "Bang the Drum Slowly" starring Robert De Niro. He followed this with a role in "The Godfather: Part II." Throughout the 70s, Aiello appeared in "The Front," "Fingers," and "Bloodbrothers," among others. In 1980, he starred alongside Jan-Michael Vincent and Art Carney in "Defiance," and featured in "Hide in Plain Sight" with James Caan. His role in the 1981 crime film "Fort Apache, The Bronx" won critical praise. He was also seen in "Chu Chu and the Philly Flash" and "Old Enough." In 1984, he collaborated with De Niro again in Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America."
In 1985, Aiello portrayed Monk in Mia Farrow's "The Purple Rose of Cairo." The same year, he appeared in "The Stuff," "The Protector," and "Key Exchange." In 1987, Aiello reunited with Woody Allen for "Radio Days" and also appeared in "Man on Fire," "The Pick-up Artist," and "Moonstruck." He then starred in "The Third Solution," "The January Man," and "Harlem Nights." Aiello's career peaked with his role as Sal in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing," earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Film Career, Part 2
In the 90s, Aiello had notable roles in "Jacob's Ladder," "Once Around," "Hudson Hawk," and "29th Street." Portraying Jack Ruby in "Ruby," he continued to shine. He starred in films such as "Mistress," "The Cemetery Club," "The Pickle," "Me and the Kid," "City Hall," "2 Days in the Valley," "Mojave Moon," "Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis," and "A Brooklyn State of Mind." He also appeared in the Academy Award-winning short "Lieberman in Love" and had roles in "Léon: The Professional" and "Prêt-à-Porter."
In the 2000s, Aiello continued his prolific career with leading roles in "Dinner Rush," "Prince of Central Park," and "Off Key." Later, he starred in "Brooklyn Lobster" and appeared in the crime thriller "Lucky Number Slevin." His later work includes the ensemble drama "Reach Me" (2014), the Canadian film "The Neighborhood" (2017), and "Little Italy" (2018), which was his final film role.
Television Career
On television, Aiello earned acclaim for his role as Don Domenico Clericuzio in the 1997 CBS miniseries "The Last Don," based on Mario Puzo’s novel. That same year, he starred as Anthony Dellaventura on the CBS crime series "Dellaventura," which aired for one season. Aiello also appeared in numerous TV films, including "The Last Tenant," "A Question of Honor," "Daddy," and "The Preppie Murder." He won a Daytime Emmy in 1981 for his role in the ABC Afterschool Special "A Family of Strangers."
Stage Career
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Aiello graced Broadway stages. He appeared in plays by Louis La Russo II, including "Lamppost Reunion," "Wheelbarrow Closers," and "Knockout." He also originated the role of the titular character in Albert Innaurato's "Gemini" and appeared in Woody Allen's "The Floating Light Bulb." In 1985, he joined the replacement cast of David Rabe's "Hurlyburly" and later played Billy Einhorn in "The House of Blue Leaves." After a hiatus, Aiello returned to the stage in 2002 for Elaine May's "Adult Entertainment" and starred in "The Shoemaker" (2011) and "Home for the Holidays" (2017) off-Broadway.
Personal Life and Death
In 1955, Aiello married Sandy Cohen, with whom he had four children: Danny III, Rick, Jaime, and Stacey. Danny III, a stuntman and actor, died of cancer in 2010, and Rick, also an actor, passed from cancer in 2021. Aiello himself died in December 2019 at the age of 86.
