Raised in the Bronx

Appeared in Broadway musicals and Eddie Dowling plays from age five

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

First film appearance as an extra in Joey Dee film, "Hey, Let's Twist!"

Teamed with partner Frank Vincent (who later played a mafioso in "Raging Bull" and Billy Batts in "GoodFellas") in a nightclub act that played the Jersey shore in late 1960s and early 1970s

Featured with Frank Vincent in short-lived Broadway show, "The New Vaudevillians" (closed after one week)

Appeared in regional theater

Film acting debut (also co-wrote) in "Death Collector," a low budget gangster yarn

Moved to L.A.; held a variety of odd jobs as a barber, a postal clerk, a produce manager in a grocery story, a delivery boy, a letter carrier and drove a pickup truck (date approximate)

Was managing a restaurant in the Bronx when called by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese who had seen his work in "Death Collector" to play Jake LaMotta's brother in "Raging Bull"

First feature starring role, "Dear Mr. Wonderful" a German production directed by Peter Lilienthal

Starred as a private investigator in his own short-lived TV series, "Half-Nelson"

Cast as Leo Getz in "Lethal Weapon 2" starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover

Reunited with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to star in "Goodfellas"

Starred opposite Macaulay Culkin in the comedy "Home Alone"

First Hollywood starring role, "The Super"

Starred in Oliver Stone's controversal film "JFK"

Played Brooklyn Lawyer Vincent Gambini in the comedy "My Cousin Vinny" also starring Marisa Tomei

Reprised the role of Leo Getz for "Lethal Weapon 3"

Co-starred in the drama "A Bronx Tale" with Chazz Palminteri and Robert De Niro who also directed

Co-starred with Brendan Fraser in "With Honors"

Again reunited with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro for "Casino"

Co-starred with Danny Glover in the comedy "Gone Fishin"

Reprised role of Leo Getz for "Lethal Weapon 4"

Released an album, Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You, which spawned the single "Wise Guy"

Announced retirement from acting

Returned to acting with a cameo in De Niro's "The Good Shepherd"