Dominic Chianese

Dominic Chianese (pronounced Key-ah-nes-e; born February 24 or September 2, 1931) is an American actor (film, television and theatre) perhaps best known for his role as Junior Soprano on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos, a role that netted him two Emmy Award nominations. Chianese was born in the borough of The Bronx, New York City, the son of a bricklayer. He graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science in 1948. He worked as a bricklayer with his father and attended night school during the 1950s, graduating with a bachelor's degree in speech and theater from Brooklyn College in 1961. His earliest stage work occurred in 1952 with a Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company of singers, actors and musicians called The American Savoyards, under the direction of Dorothy Raedler. After a decade of doing college and off-broadway theatre, Chianese attended his first professional acting class at HB Studios in Manhattan, with renowned teacher Walt Witcover. Drama and musical... full article at wikipedia