Joe Pantoliano’s 10 Best Movies and TV Shows

As one of the most recognizable character actors in the business, Joe Pantolianos movies and TV shows have some unforgettable projects that showcase his scene-stealing skills. Although Pantoliano is rarely seen in the lead role, he is the kind of actor that audiences are drawn to when he pops up on screen. Pantoliano first started to gain momentum in the business with his role opposite Tom Cruise in Risky business And remains a hard-working actor many decades later. However, his long career has included some projects that stand above the rest.

Pantoliano has a comedic energy that has served him well, be it in straight comedy roles or adding a little levity to some serious movies. He held his own and even stole the show from so many movie stars, including Harrison Ford, Will Smith and Keanu Reeves, while also working with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan. His TV roles in shows like The Sopranos have yet exemplified his talents in a filmography as varied and interesting as any actor out there.

10

The Goonies (1985)

Like Francis Fratelli

Although Joe Pantoliano has had many famous roles, it is possible that most people who grew up in the 1980s know him best for his work in The Gunnies. The movie follows a group of young friends who band together to save their homes from foreclosure after finding a treasure map. However, the young heroes soon find that they are not the only ones seeking the secret pirate fortune and have to contend with the criminal family, the Fratellis.

Pantoliano brings a fun menace to the family-friendly adventure as Francis Fratelli, the clan’s favorite son. The movie itself is considered a nostalgic favorite, still loved decades later, especially by those who grew up in the 80s and 90s. In fact, there are still calls from fans who would like to see the cast, including Pantoliano, reunite for the long-rumored The Goonies 2.

9

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Like Frank Demarest

Joe Pantoliano has worked with several legendary directors in his career, and still works alongside Steven Spielberg as a producer on The GunniesThe actor got the opportunity to appear in one of his most underrated movies as a director. Empire of the Sun Starring a young Christian Bale as Jim, a British expat kid living with his parents in Japan. However, at the beginning of World War II, all expatriates were evacuated from the country, but Jim was separated from his parents.

The movie is a stirring and exhilarating look at Jim’s survival alone in the country at war when he finds himself in a prison camp. Pantoliano stars alongside John Malkovich as two hustlers that Jim meets along the way And who take him in as a member of their scheming crew. Although a smaller supporting role, Pantoliano shows his skills in bringing depth to characters like this.

8

Risky Business (1983)

Like Guido

One of the defining aspects of Joe Pantoliano’s career is his ability to bring charm and likability to villainous roles. The fact that he stole the show in Tom Cruise’s breakout movie shows how good of an actor he is. Risky business Star Cruz as Joel, a typical high school student who spends the week home alone with his parents away on a trip. He seeks to have more experiences in life, he hires a sex worker only for the decision to gradually spiral into chaos.

One of the biggest complications comes in the form of Guido, a seedy and dangerous pimp, played by Pantoliano. Although he is instantly despicable, Pantoliano also makes him an exhilarating part of every scene he’s in. Risky business is seen as a classic 80s teen comedy, but it has more layers and complexities than most other movies in the genre. It is also elevated by performances such as those of Cruz and Pantoliano.

7

Bound (1996)

Like Caesar

While The matrix Was Joe Pantoliano’s more notable collaboration with the Wachowskis, he also starred in their excellent and underrated debut movie. Bound is a slick crime thriller starring Gina Gershon as an ex-con who works in an apartment building and catches the eye of Violet (Jennifer Tilley). The two women eventually engage in a passionate affair before coming up with a plan to steal mob money from Violet’s gangster boyfriend, Caesar, played by Pantoliano.

Pantoliano brings layers to what could have been a very basic role. He makes Caesar a dangerous and violent man, but also far from the toughest gangster in the city And afraid of what might happen to him if he loses the money. Bound is a sexy and exciting ride that is very different from the ambitious genre movies the Wachowskis made later, but still shows their impressive filmmaking style.

6

Midnight Run (1988)

Like Eddie Moscone

Although it did not receive as much attention as some of the other movies in the genre, Midnight Run Has gradually become seen as one of the best action comedies of the 1980s. Robert De Niro gives one of his best comedic performances as Jack Walsh, a disgraced cop turned bounty hunter who is assigned the task of capturing mob embezzler Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin) and delivering him to prison. When Walsh and Mardukas make a long cross-country trip, they have to fight gangsters, FBI agents and rival bounty hunters on their trail.

One of the best things that make Midnight RunSo great is that it is populated by character actors playing colorful characters, such as Dennis Farina and Philip Baker Hall. Joe Pantoliano is a great fit in the ensemble as Eddie Moscone, the wise two-timing bail bondman who hires Walsh for the job.

5

Bad Boys (1995)

Like Captain Howard

Although Joe Pantoliano has appeared in some great movies, His longest-running character was Captain Howard in the bad boys Franchise. The action series started in 1995 with Bad boysHelmed by Michael Bay in his directorial debut. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence star as two best friends and partners in the narcotics division of the Miami police department. The wild antics begin with Smith and Lawrence having to switch places to protect the witnesses to the crimes of a drug lord.

The first movie helped launch Smith and Lawrence into A-list status and their chemistry together was a big part of the franchise’s success. However, another key element to the movie is Pantoliano as their short-tempered but funny boss, Captain Howard. Pantoliano is the only other actor to appear in every entry in the franchise, even continuing in the fourth movie after his death in Bad boys for life.

4

The Fugitive (1993)

Like Cosmo Renfro

Joe Pantoliano has the ability to stand out in even the smallest roles in movies and play opposite A-list stars. The fugitive is an exciting action thriller that stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, a celebrated physician who finds himself accused of murdering his wife despite claiming that the crime was carried out by a one-armed assault. After an accident during his imprisonment Transfer, Kimble escapes custody and goes on the run to clear his name while being pursued by a determined US Marshal.

Pantoliano stars as Cosmo Renfro, Gerard’s partner who is by his side during the chase. Although the film really puts the focus on Ford and Jones in the lead roles, Pantoliano manages to stand out in the smaller role, playing off Jones very effectively, creating a grounded and believable Loman. Pantoliano worked well enough in the role that he was invited back to play the part in the less memorable sequel, US Marshals.

3

Memento (2000)

Like Teddy

Among the many great filmmakers with Joe Pantoliano, he was part of Christopher Nolan’s breakthrough movie. Memento is a complex and fascinating thriller starring Guy Pearce as Leonard, a man who suffers from short-term memory loss and uses tattoos all over his body as reminders and guides to guide him in his mission to avenge the death of his murdered wife. Pantoliano plays Teddy, a man helping Leonard, Only for the confused protagonist to wonder about the man’s motivations.

Memento is a unique and brilliantly told mystery with the movie starting with the last event and then playing the whole story in reverse. Nolan shows his abilities to tell complex and gripping stories, and it’s a lot of fun to see how his skills still impress even on a small budget compared to the movies that followed later in his career.

2

The Matrix (1999)

Like a cipher

Although he has shown an ability to play all types of roles, Joe Pantoliano was most memorable and effective in playing comic relief characters and villains. Surprisingly, he gets a rare opportunity to combine both of these aspects in the character of Cypher In The matrix. The Wachowskis’ ground-breaking sci-fi movie stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, an aimless hacker who is approached by a mysterious man named Morpheus and exposed to the terrifying truth that the world he lives in is a simulation created by machines to Enslave humanity. .

While most of the movie’s characters fit the grim and serious tone of the movie, Pantoliano adds some much-needed levity to the first half of the movie as Cypher, the cynical and less enthusiastic member of Morpheus’ Rebels team. however, Cipher is then made into a complex villain with the revelation that he is a traitor. This character is a great example of the thought-provoking and exciting story of the first Matrix Movie and Pantoliano was a missing element in the subsequent sequels.

1

The Sopranos (2001-2004)

Like Ralph Cifaretto

The Sopranos Was already hailed as one of the greatest shows of all time when Joe Pantoliano joined the cast in season 3, but he still managed to become one of the highlights of the entire series. The Sopranos Revolutionized television with its daring exploration of a protagonist who was violent, greedy and cruel. James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano navigates the world of organized crime in New Jersey as a high-ranking member, while also dealing with his own mental health issues.

Pantoliano joined the series as Ralph Cifaretto, a volatile and scheming man who operates as a close friend of Tony and also works behind his back. Similar to Cypher in The matrixRalph can be a very funny character, not taking the mob life as seriously as others. However, he is also a sadistic and violent person who can lash out at any moment. He is also one of the few people not afraid of challenging Tony. Pantoliano even topped the series and won an Emmy for his intense performance.