Joseph R. Gannascoli is a multi-talented actor, chef, and entrepreneur best known for his unforgettable role as Vito Spatafore on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph developed a love for cooking at a later age, after realizing he wasn't going to play for the Yankees. He eventually turned his passion into a successful culinary career before making his way into film and television. 

Gannascoli’s journey to stardom wasn’t typical. Being a seft taught Chef he worked in some of the finest New York, New Orleans  and Los Angeles  kitchens, he pivoted toward acting in the 1990s, As a self taught Actor, he landed small roles before getting his big break with The Sopranos. He played a different character named Gino the first season before they brought him in to play Vito. His portrayal of Vito—a ground breaking complex character, was one of the show’s most controversial and poignant storylines—and earned him praise for his bold, emotionally layered performance. It was his suggestion to one of the writers from a book he read about a gay mobster that convinced David Chase.  

Beyond acting, Joseph has remained deeply connected to his roots. He opened and operated several food ventures, including a gourmet Italian food line and a Brooklyn-based soup restaurant that had become a local favorite. Never shying away from reinvention, he’s also an advocate for addiction recovery and frequently speaks about his own past struggles with gambling and how he’s worked to turn his life around. 

After double hip surgery Joe took up golf and  racquetball and later became obsessed with pickleball.  He plays golf in the morning and then pickleball 2 or 3 times a day.  

Today he's a brand ambassador for rocavaka vodka and is currently working on turning his cookbook/novel into a show. 

Joseph lives by the philosophy that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Whether he’s in front of a camera or on the court, he brings authenticity, grit, and heart to everything he does.