IMDB · TheMovieDB.com · TV Maze

Actor

1944-06-14 · Buffalo, New York, USA · Male

21 series in the catalog

Joseph G. Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television.

Early life and education

Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia (née Gaglione) and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. Grifasi graduated from Bishop Fallon High School, a now-defunct Roman Catholic high school in Buffalo, when he made the decision that he wanted to be, not just any old actor, but a character actor.

Career

Grifasi has more than 130 film and television credits to his name, including two New York Yankees elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Phil Rizzuto in 61*, set in 1961; and Yogi Berra in The Bronx Is Burning, set in 1977.

He also played Pier 32 dock foreman in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, having one of the memorable scenes of the film while being questioned by Frank Drebin.

From 2005 and 2021, Grifasi has portrayed Defense Attorney Heshi Horowitz, who goes on to become a Superior Court Judge on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Joe Grifasi at the Internet Broadway Database

Joe Grifasi at the Library of Congress, with 3 library catalog records