A versatile character actor noted for his naturalistic acting style, ordinary Everyman appearance and Bronx accent, Danny Aiello gravitated to entertainment from a varied background that featured a stint as the youngest president of Local 1202 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. (His early training came as a public address announcer calling out bus routes at the old Greyhound Bus Terminal on 50th Street in Manhattan). After losing that position in a dispute with national leadership over a wildcat strike, he became a nightclub bouncer, which lead to his first professional industry job as a
Before age of eight, worked as shoeshine boy and newspaper hawker in Grand Central Station
Joined the National Guard at age 13
1951
Faked identity papers and joined Army for three years; served in Germany
1957
After Army, worked at Greyhound terminal in New York; elected youngest president of Local 1202 of the Amalgamated Transit Union; fired from union post after dispute with national leadership over wildcat strike
1972
First professional industry job as substitute emcee at the Improvisation comedy club in NYC where he also worked as bouncer
