born May 13, 1939/41, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.
U.S. film actor.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then studied at the Actors Studio. He made his film debut in Who's That Knocking at My Door? (1968) under Martin Scorsese , with whom he often worked thereafter. Known for his signature accent and the intensity of his performances, he played supporting or starring roles in films such as Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Bad Timing (1980), Bugsy (1991), Thelma and Louise (1991), Reservoir Dogs (1991), The Piano (1993), and Red Dragon (2002).