Giancarlo Esposito Biography (1958-)

Full name, Giancarlo Giuseppi Alessandro Esposito; born April 26, 1958, in Copenhagen, Denmark; raised in New York, NY; father, a stagehand and carpenter;mother, an opera and nightclub singer; married Joy McManigal (a producer), June 1995; children: Shayne Lyra, Kate Lyn. Addresses: Agent: Agency for the Performing Arts, 9200 Sunset Blvd., Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90069.;Manager: Untitled Entertainment, 331 North Maple Dr., Third Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Nationality: American
Gender: Male
Occupation: Actor
Birth Details: April 26, 1958; Copenhagen, Denmark

Famous Works

CREDITS
Film Appearances
Voice, Et salammbo? (short film), 1970
Puerto Rican teenager, Running (also known as Le vainqueur), Universal, 1979
J. C. Pierce, Taps (also known as The Siege at Bunker Hill: T.A.P.S.), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1981
Julio, Enormous Changes at the Last Minute (also known as Enormous Changes and Trumps), TeleCulture Films/ABC Circle Films, 1983
Second cellmate, Trading Places, Paramount, 1983
Bumpy Rhodes's hood, The Cotton Club, Orion, 1984
Elisha, Go Tell It on the Mountain, New Line Cinema/Learning in Focus, 1984
Street vendor, Desperately Seeking Susan, Orion, 1985
Video player, Maximum Overdrive, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, 1986
First gang member, Heartbeat, 1987
Howie, Sweet Lorraine, Angelika Films, 1987
Julian "Big Brother Almighty" Eaves, School Daze, Columbia, 1988
Buggin' Out, Do the Right Thing, Universal, 1989
Lance, King of New York, New Line Cinema, 1990
Left Hand Lacey, Mo' Better Blues, Universal, 1990
Jimmy Jiles, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1991
YoYo, "New York," Night on Earth (also known as LANewYorkParisRomeHelsinki and Une nuit sur terre), Fine Line Features, 1991
Bugs Raglin, Bob Roberts, Paramount/Miramax, 1992
Thomas Hayer, Malcolm X (also known as X), Warner Bros., 1992
Reverend Fenton Brunch, Amos and Andrew, New Line Cinema, 1993
Esteban, Fresh, Miramax, 1994
Jack, Benders, 1994
Peace and Quiet, 1994
Fast Tim Timko (game show host), Reckless, Samuel Goldwyn, 1995
Jack Baer, The Usual Suspects (also known as Die Ublichen Verdachtigen), Gramercy Pictures, 1995
Paul Lamont, The Keeper, Rada Film/Kino International, 1995
Stoney, Kla$h (also known as Klash), 1995
(Uncredited) Tarik's father, Waiting to Exhale, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1995
Tommy, Smoke (also known as Smoke--Raucher unter sich), Miramax, 1995
Tommy Finelli, Blue in the Face (also known as Brooklyn Boogie), Miramax, 1995
Himself, Dans les coulisses du clip "California" (short film), 1996
Rich man and pimp, California (short film), Polydor/Toutankhamoun,1996
Second stylist, Loose Women, Inmotion Entertainment, 1996
Anthony Rivera, The People, Paramount, 1997
Charlie Dunt, Nothing to Lose, Buena Vista, 1997
Darryl, Trouble on the Corner, Vision Films, 1997
Henry Kunitz, The Maze, Alpine Releasing, 1997
(Scenes deleted; uncredited) Black, Lulu on the Bridge, Trimark Pictures, 1998
Blind man, Where's Marlowe?, 1998, originally a pilot for ABC, 1996
Reuben Escobar, Twilight, Paramount, 1998
Georgie, Big City Blues, Avalanche Home Entertainment, 1999
Hypnos, Monkeybone (live action and animated), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1999
Spike, Josephine, Amberlon Pictures/Senator Film, 2000
Cadillac Tramps, 2000
Cassius Clay, Sr., Ali, Columbia, 2001
Miguel Algarin, Pinero, Miramax, 2001
Karl, Ash Tuesday, Rockville Pictures, 2003
J. C. Reynolds, Blind Horizon, Lions Gate Films, c. 2004
Captain Pierce, Doing Hard Time, Grass Roots Entertainment, 2004
Hank, Noise (also known as The Dark Descends), Rockville Pictures, 2004
Vargas, A Killer Within, 2004
Benson Cooper (Reggie's dad), Back in the Day, DEJ Productions, 2005
Detective Church, Derailed, The Weinstein Company, 2005
Detective Esposito, Hate Crime, Pasidg Productions, 2005
Director, I Will Avenge You, Iago!, Iago Films, 2005
Little Jeff, Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (also known as Carlito's Way: The Beginning), Universal, 2005
Officer Hernandez, Sherrybaby, Big Beach Films/Elevation Filmworks, 2005
Ken Arnold, Rain, Big Headz Entertainment/Lexi Dog Media, 2006
Senator Dillings, Last Holiday, Paramount, 2006
Some sources cite appearances in other films, including Little Italy.
Film Work
Coproducer, The Keeper, Rada Film/Kino International, 1995
Television Appearances
Series
Clay Tynan, Guiding Light, CBS, 1982-83
Detective Paul Gigante, Bakersfield P.D. (also known as Bakersfield and Buddy Blues), Fox, 1993-94
FBI agent Mike Giardello, Homicide: Life on the Street (also knownas Homicide and H: LOTS), NBC, 1998-99
Tom Divack, The $treet (also known as The Street), Fox, 2000-2001
Nicholas Hahn, girls club, Fox, 2002
Robert Fuentes, South Beach, UPN, 2006-
Miniseries
Fernandes, "Roanoak," American Playhouse, PBS, 1986

Thomas Peniston/werewolf, Peter Benchley's "Creature" (also knownas Creature), ABC, 1998
Tim Sanders, 5ive Days to Midnight (also known as 5 Days to Midnight), Sci-Fi Channel, 2004
(In archive footage) Retrosexual: The 80s (documentary), VH1, 2004
Movies
Jamie, The Gentleman Bandit (also known as The Bandit Priest), CBS, 1981
Intruder, Finnegan Begin Again, HBO, 1985
Marcus, Rockabye, CBS, 1986
Joseph Grange, Five Desperate Hours, NBC, 1997
Chaz Villanueva, Naked City: Justice with a Bullet, Showtime, 1998
Dr. Lawrence Carver, Thirst, NBC, 1998
Louie, Phoenix (also known as Arizona), HBO, 1998
Mr. Peavey, Stardust, HBO, c. 2000
Officer Mike Giardello, Homicide: The Movie (also known as Homicide: Life Everlasting), NBC, 2000
Dr. Pena, Chupacabra: Dark Seas, Sci-Fi Channel, 2005
Young, Xenophobia, 2006
Specials
Kyle, "The Exchange Student," CBS Schoolbreak Special, CBS, 1985
Himself, Making "Do the Right Thing" (documentary), 1989
Dr. Kenneth Clark, "Simple Justice," The American Experience, PBS,1993
Narrator, Seven Songs for Malcolm X (documentary), Channel 4 (England), 1993
Himself, Stolen Moments: Red, Hot + Cool (documentary; also knownas Red Hot + Cool and Stolen Moments), 1994
The Kennedy Center Presents: Speak Truth to Power (documentary; also known as Speak Truth to Power), PBS, 2000
Himself, The Making of "Ali" (documentary), 2001
Awards Presentations
Presenter, The Ninth Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, syndicated, 1994
Performer, The 34th NAACP Image Awards, Fox, 2003
Episodic
Luther, "Little Prince," Miami Vice, NBC, 1984
Adonis Jackson, "The Dutch Oven," Miami Vice, NBC, 1985
"Nobody Lives Forever," Miami Vice, NBC, 1985
Jumpin' Jack, "The Line," The Equalizer, CBS, 1986
Ramos, "On the Night He Was Betrayed," Spenser: For Hire, ABC, 1987
Tyson, "Blind Trust," Leg Work, CBS, 1987
Paris Minton, "Fearless," Fallen Angels (also known as PerfectCrimes), Showtime, 1994
Adolfo Guzman, "Brotherhood," New York Undercover (also known as Uptown Undercover), Fox, 1995
Adolfo Guzman, "Buster and Claudia," New York Undercover (also known as Uptown Undercover), Fox, 1995
Adolfo Guzman, "Digital Underground," New York Undercover (also known as Uptown Undercover), Fox, 1995
Ferdinand Hollie, "Hollie and the Blowfish," NYPD Blue, ABC, 1995
Andrew Coffin, "Out on a Limb," Swift Justice, UPN, 1996
Andrew Coffin, "Sex, Death and Rock 'n' Roll," Swift Justice, UPN,1996
Cherchez La Femme, "Right to Life," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1996
Jackson Turner (some sources cite Jackson Manning), "Kiss of the Spider Man," Living Single (also known as My Girls), Fox, 1996
Mr. Baylor, "Aftershock," Law & Order, NBC, 1996
Mr. Baylor, "Good Girl," Law & Order, NBC, 1996
Whip Tyrell, "Aloha Nash," Nash Bridges (also known as Bridges), CBS, 1996
Jamal, "Speak for Yourself, Bruce Clayton," NYPD Blue, ABC, 1998
Vampire, "Fly-by-Night," The Hunger, Showtime, 1998
Arnold and Gordon Keller, "Curveball," Nash Bridges (also known asBridges), CBS, 1999
Himself, "Samuel L. Jackson," Biography (also known as A &E Biography: Samuel L. Jackson), Arts and Entertainment, 1999
Antonio, "Here I Am," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 2000
Himself, "Ali," HBO First Look, HBO, 2001
Jacob Lenz, "Andromeda and the Monster," 100 Centre Street (also known as 101 Centre Street), Arts and Entertainment, 2001
James "Junior" Bell, "Mortality," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2001
Ambassador Theodore Kelefy, "Immune to Murder," A Nero Wolfe Mystery (also known as Nero Wolfe), Arts and Entertainment, 2002
Father Moreno (some sources cite Father Romero), "The Unforgiven," Third Watch, NBC, 2002
Ray McMurphy, "Pro Se," The Practice, ABC, 2002
Dr. Pembroke, "Wish You Were Here," The Division (also known as Heart of the City), Lifetime, 2003
Jesse Haslem, "Brothers," Street Time, Showtime, 2003
Lord Marion, "The Method," Lucky, FX Channel, 2003
Darryl Washington, "The Big Employee Benefits Episode," Half & Half, UPN, 2004
Jules, "Don't Think This Hasn't Been Fabulous," Soul Food, Showtime, 2004
Jules, "Fear Eats the Soul," Soul Food, Showtime, 2004
Rodney Fallon, "The Brotherhood," Law & Order, NBC, 2004
Rodney Fallon, "Vendetta," Law & Order, NBC, 2004
Orlando Ramirez, "Boys Will Be Boys," Law & Order: Trial by Jury, NBC, 2005
Pilots
Arthur Sistrunk, Relentless: Mind of a Killer (also known as Mood Indigo), NBC, 1993
Detective Paul Gigante, Bakersfield P.D. (also known as Bakersfield and Buddy Blues), Fox, 1993
Marcus Foster, New Year (also known as New Year's and New Year's 1999), ABC, 1993
Jonathan Driscoll, The Tomorrow Man, CBS, 1995
Andrew Coffin, Swift Justice, UPN, 1996
Carlos Rivera, I.A., NBC, 1996
Blind man, Where's Marlowe?, ABC, 1996, expanded version releasedas a feature film, 1998
Tom Divack, The $treet (also known as The Street), Fox, 2000
Nicholas Hahn, girls club, Fox, 2002
Lieutenant Gardner, NYPD 2069, Fox, 2004
Robert Fuentes, South Beach, UPN, 2006
Stage Appearances
Andrew, Maggie Flynn (musical), American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) Theatre, New York City, beginning c. 1966
The American Christmas, c. 1969
Understudy, The Me Nobody Knows (musical), Helen Hayes Theatre, New York City, 1970-71
Alex, Lost in the Stars (musical), Imperial Theatre, New York City, 1972
Via Galactica (musical), Uris Theatre, New York City, 1972
Julio Gonzales, Seesaw (musical), Uris Theatre, 1973
Zeke, Miss Moffat, Shubert Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, 1974, produced in New York City, c. 1977
A Gala Tribute to Joshua Logan, Imperial Theatre, 1975
Zooman, Zooman and the Sign, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four,New York City, 1980-81
Valedictorian, Merrily We Roll Along (musical), Alvin Theatre, NewYork City, 1981
Ken Benson, Who Loves the Dancer, Henry Street Settlement, Louis Abrons Arts for Living Center, New Federal Theatre, New York City, 1982
Skippy, Keyboard, Henry Street Settlement, Louis Abrons Arts for Living Center, New Federal Theatre, 1982
Javier, The House of Ramon Iglesias, Ensemble Studio Theatre, NewYork City, 1983
Do Lord Remember Me, American Place Theatre, New York City, 1984
Ernesto, Balm in Gilead, Circle Repertory Theatre, New York City,1984, then Minetta Lane Theatre, New York City, 1984-85
Union Boys, Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, CT, 1985-86
Jack/Silk, Don't Get God Started (musical), Longacre Theatre, NewYork City, 1987-88
Ignatius, Anchorman, Theatre Four, 1988
One for Dexter (concert), Avery Fisher Hall, New York City, 1991
Foos, Distant Fires, Atlantic Theater Company, New York City, 1991, then Circle in the Square Downtown, New York City, 1992
Willie, The Root, Atlantic Theater, 1993
Papo, Trafficking in Broken Hearts, Atlantic Theater Company, 1994-95
Ramon, Sacrilege, Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1995
Threepenny Opera (opera and musical theatre piece), New York CityCenter, New York City, beginning c. 1995
Appeared in other productions.
RECORDINGS
Taped Readings
Daniel Coyle, Hardball: A Season in the Projects, HarperAudio, 1994
Stewart O'Nan, Everyday People, HarperAudio, 2001
WRITINGS
Stage Plays
Author of plays.

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals

Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 9, Gale, 1995

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