It seemed in the early 1990s that every film released in the US had Joe Pesci in it. This diminutive, intense Italian-American character player took a long time to make it to the top: a former child performer and nightclub entertainer, he specialized in impersonations and audience insult. Born in Newark, Pesci spent much of the 1950s and '60s doing stand-up and appearing as one of TV's "Star Time" kids (Dumont, 1950-51). He sang with Frank Vincent and the Aristocrats, and in 1969 the two formed a comedy duo (Vincent later had notable cameo or supporting roles in half a dozen of Pesci films).Wh
Appeared in Broadway musicals and Eddie Dowling plays from age five
1950
Became a regular on TV's "Star Time" (Dumont) doing impersonations and singing
Worked as a nightclub singer in the 1960s; cut a few records including an album "Little Joe Sure Can Sing" under the name of Joe Ritchie; played guitar in a road band for Joey Dee and the Starliters while in his early twenties
1961
First film appearance as an extra in Joey Dee film, "Hey, Let's Twist!"
