As one of the most recognizable character actors in the business, Joe Pantoliano’s movies and TV shows feature some unforgettable projects that show his scene-stealing skills. Though Pantoliano is rarely seen in the lead role, he is the kind of actor who the audience is drawn to whenever 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 has held his own and even stolen 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 television roles in shows like The Sopranos have further exemplified his talents in a filmography as varied and interesting as any actor out there.
10 The Goonies (1985)
As Francis Fratelli
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9.5/10 The Goonies PGFamilyAdventureComedy
When a small Oregon community is threatened by the foreclosure of their homes, a group of young misfits who called themselves the Goonies set out to find an ancient treasure in order to save the town. From a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus, Richard Donner’s The Goonies is one of the most iconic adventure movies of the 1980s, with a cast comprising the talents of Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, and Joe Pantoliano.
Director Richard Donner Release Date June 7, 1985 Cast Josh Brolin , Jeff Cohen , Corey Feldman , Ke Huy Quan , Sean Astin Runtime 114 minutes
Though Joe Pantoliano has had many famous roles, it is possible most people who grew up in the 1980s know him best for his work in The Goonies. 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 in search of the secret pirate fortune and have to contend with the criminal family, the Fratellis.
Pantoliano brings fun menace to the family-friendly adventure as Francis Fratelli, the favorite son of the clan. The movie itself has been regarded as a nostalgic favorite, still beloved decades later, especially by those who grew up in the 80s and 90s. In fact, there are still calls from fans who would love to see the cast, including Pantoliano, reunite for the long-rumored The Goonies 2.
9 Empire Of The Sun (1987)
As Frank Demarest
Empire of the Sun PGDramaHistoryWar
Empire of the Sun follows the story of young Jamie “Jim” Graham, played by Christian Bale, as he faces the challenges of internment in a Japanese prison camp in World War II-era China. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on J.G. Ballard’s semi-autobiographical novel, the film explores Jim’s journey from a privileged British expatriate child to a resourceful and resilient survivor of the conflict.
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date December 25, 1987 Cast Christian Bale , John Malkovich , Miranda Richardson , Nigel Havers , Joe Pantoliano , Leslie Phillips , Masatô Ibu , Emily Richard , Rupert Frazer , Peter Gale , Takatarô Kataoka , Ben Stiller
Joe Pantoliano has worked with some legendary directors in his career, and after working alongside Steven Spielberg as a producer on The Goonies, the actor got the chance to appear in one of his most underrated movies as a director. Empire of the Sun stars a young Christian Bale as Jim, a British expatriate child living with his parents in Japan. However, at the outset of World War II, all expatriates are evacuated from the country, but Jim is separated from his parents.
Though a smaller supporting role, Pantoliano shows his skills in bringing depth to characters like this.
The movie is a stirring and exhilarating look at Jim’s survival alone in the country at war as he finds himself in a prison camp. Pantoliano stars alongside John Malkovich as two hustlers who Jim meets along the way and who take him in as a member of their scheming crew. Though a smaller supporting role, Pantoliano shows his skills in bringing depth to characters like this.
8 Risky Business (1983)
As Guido
Risky Business RComedyDramaCrimeRomance
Risky Business is a 1983 comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise as Joel Goodsen, a high school student who experiences a wild adventure while his parents are away. When Joel’s desire for freedom leads him to make some questionable decisions, he finds himself entangled in complications that challenge his morals and future. Directed by Paul Brickman, the film explores themes of adolescence, responsibility, and the pursuit of success.
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*Availability in US Director Paul Brickman Release Date August 5, 1983 Cast Richard Masur , Bronson Pinchot , Rebecca De Mornay , Tom Cruise , Joe Pantoliano Runtime 99 minutes
One of the defining aspects of Joe Pantoliano’s career is his ability to bring charm and likability to villain roles. The fact that he stole the show in Tom Cruise’s breakout movie shows how good of an actor he is. Risky Business stars Cruise as Joel, a typical high school student who spends the week home alone with his parents away on a trip. Looking 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. Though he is instantly despicable, Pantoliano also makes him an exhilarating part of every scene he is 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 the ones from Cruise and Pantoliano.
7 Bound (1996)
As Caesar
Bound RCrimeDramaRomanceThriller
Bound is a 1996 neo-noir crime thriller directed by the Wachowskis. The film stars Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly as a pair of women who develop a romantic relationship while conspiring to steal $2 million of mafia money. Joe Pantoliano co-stars as the unsuspecting mafioso boyfriend, creating a tense narrative filled with suspense and intrigue.
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*Availability in US Director Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski Release Date October 4, 1996 Cast Jennifer Tilly , Gina Gershon , Joe Pantoliano , John P. Ryan , Christopher Meloni , Richard C. Sarafian Runtime 109 Minutes
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 that stars Gina Gershon as an ex-con who is working in an apartment building and catches the eye of Violet (Jennifer Tilly). 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.
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 scared about what could happen to him if he loses that money. Bound is a sexy and exciting ride that is much different from the ambitious genre movies the Wachowskis made later but still shows off their impressive filmmaker style.
6 Midnight Run (1988)
As Eddie Moscone
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Midnight Run RActionComedyCrime
Midnight Run is a 1988 action-comedy film directed by Martin Brest. It stars Robert De Niro as a bounty hunter tasked with capturing and transporting a former mob accountant, played by Charles Grodin, across the country. The film follows their unpredictable journey, filled with comedic and thrilling moments, as they evade both the mob and law enforcement while forming an unlikely bond.
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*Availability in US Director Martin Brest Release Date July 20, 1988 Cast Robert De Niro , Charles Grodin , Yaphet Kotto , John Ashton , Dennis Farina Runtime 126 Minutes
Though 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 job of capturing mob embezzler Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin) and delivering him to prison. As Walsh and Mardukas make a long cross-country trip, they have to contend with gangsters, FBI agents, and rival bounty hunters on their trail.
One of the best things that makes Midnight Run, so great is that it is populated by character actors playing colorful characters, such as Denis Farina and Philip Baker Hall. Joe Pantoliano is a great fit into that ensemble as Eddie Moscone, the weaselly two-timing bail bondsman who hires Walsh for the job.
5 Bad Boys (1995)
As Captain Howard
Bad Boys RActionAdventureComedyCrimeThriller
Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, played by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, must recover $100 million worth of stolen heroin in Miami. When a key witness to a murder, Julie Mott, is threatened, they race against time to protect her and take down the ruthless drug lord Fouchet behind the heist.
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*Availability in US Director Michael Bay Release Date July 18, 2003 Cast Martin Lawrence , Will Smith , Jordi Molla , Gabrielle Union , Peter Stormare , Theresa Randle Runtime 119 Minutes
Though Joe Pantoliano has appeared in some big movies, his longest-running character has been Captain Howard in the Bad Boys franchise. The action series kicked off in 1995 with Bad Boys, helmed 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 witness to a drug lord’s crimes.
Pantoliano is the only other actor who has appeared in every entry into the franchise
The first movie helped to launch Smith and Lawrence into A-list status and their chemistry together has been a big part of the franchise’s success. However, another key element to the movie is Pantoliano as their short-tempered yet funny boss, Captain Howard. Pantoliano is the only other actor who has appeared in every entry into the franchise, even continuing on in the fourth movie following his death in Bad Boys For Life.
4 The Fugitive (1993)
As Cosmo Renfro
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7/10 The Fugitive PG-13ActionThrillerDramaCrimeMystery
After being falsely accused of killing his wife, Dr. Richard Kimble goes on the run to find the real killer while a seasoned US Marshal hunts him down. The Fugitive stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble and Tommy Lee Jones as Samuel Gerard and was directed by Andrew Davis.
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*Availability in US Director Andrew Davis Release Date August 6, 1993 Cast Joe Pantoliano , Sela Ward , Julianne Moore , Tommy Lee Jones , Harrison Ford Runtime 130 minutes
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 exhilarating action thriller that stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, a celebrated doctor who finds himself charged with the murder of his wife despite claiming the crime was carried out by a one-armed assailant. Following an accident during his prison transfer, Kimble escapes custody and goes on the run to clear his name while being pursued by a determined US Marshal, Samuel Gerard.
Pantoliano stars as Cosmo Renfro, Gerard’s partner who is by his side throughout the pursuit. Though 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 grounded and believable lawmen. 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)
As Teddy
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10/10 Memento RMysteryThriller
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.
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*Availability in US Director Christopher Nolan Release Date May 25, 2001 Cast Joe Pantoliano , Guy Pearce , Carrie-Anne Moss , Stephen Tobolowsky , Mark Boone Junior Runtime 113 minutes
Among the many great filmmakers Joe Pantoliano has worked with, 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 direct 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 beginning with the most recent event and then playing the entire story in reverse. Nolan showcases his abilities to tell complex and gripping stories, and it is a lot of fun seeing how his skills still impress even on a small budget compared to the movies that followed later in his career.
2 The Matrix (1999)
As Cypher
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9.3/10 The Matrix RActionAdventureSci-Fi
The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a hacker who discovers that reality is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines. Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss co-star as Morpheus and Trinity, who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the artificial world. The film blends action, philosophy, and groundbreaking visual effects, establishing itself as a pivotal entry in the science fiction genre.
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*Availability in US Director Lana Wachowski , Lilly Wachowski Release Date March 31, 1999 Cast Keanu Reeves , Laurence Fishburne , Carrie-Anne Moss , Hugo Weaving , Gloria Foster , Joe Pantoliano Runtime 136 minutes
Though he has shown an ability to play all types of roles, Joe Pantoliano has been most memorable and effective in playing comic relief characters and villains. Surprisingly, he gets a rare chance to combine both of these aspects into the character of Cypher in The Matrix. The ground-breaking sci-fi movie from the Wachowskis 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 characters of the movie fit into the dour 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’ team of rebels. However, Cypher is then made into a complex villain with the reveal that he is a traitor. The character is a terrific example of the thought-provoking and exciting storytelling of the first Matrix movie and Pantoliano was a missing element in the subsequent sequels.
1 The Sopranos (2001-2004)
As Ralph Cifaretto
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9/10 The Sopranos TV-MACrimeDrama
Considered to be a quintessential drama series to watch, The Sopranos is a crime-drama series that follows Tony Soprano, who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian-American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey crime family. Burdened by the stress of the expectations thrust upon him, Tony regularly visits a therapist throughout the series run. This helps give context to Tony’s actions as a ruthless boss with violent tendencies.
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*Availability in US Cast James Gandolfini , Lorraine Bracco , Edie Falco , Michael Imperioli , Dominic Chianese , Steven Van Zandt , Tony Sirico , Robert Iler , Jamie-Lynn Sigler Release Date January 10, 1999 Seasons 6 Showrunner David Chase
The Sopranos was already being praised as one of the greatest shows of all time by the time 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 ruthless. 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.
Similar to Cypher in
The Matrix
, Ralph can be a very funny character, not taking the mob life as seriously as others.
Pantoliano joined the series as Ralph Cifaretto, a volatile and scheming made man who operates as a close friend of Tony’s while also working behind his back. Similar to Cypher in The Matrix, Ralph can be a very funny character, not taking the mob life as seriously as others. However, he is also a sadistic and violent man who can lash out at any moment. He is also one of the few people unafraid of challenging Tony. Pantoliano elevated the series even further and won an Emmy for his intense performance.