John Cassisi

John Cassisi
Cassisi (3rd from top) posing for a photo with the cast of Fish in 1977
Born (1962-09-05) September 5, 1962 (age 62)[1]
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Child actor (1976–1982)
Construction executive
Years active1976–1982
Known forPortraying Fat Sam Staccetto in Bugsy Malone
Notable workBugsy Malone
TelevisionFish
Children3

John Cassisi (born September 5, 1962) is an American former child actor who starred in the 1976 movie Bugsy Malone as "Fat Sam" and subsequently starred in the television series Fish.

Career

Cassisi was "discovered" by Bugsy Malone director Alan Parker, when Parker visited a Brooklyn classroom and asked students to nominate the "naughtiest" boy in class.[2]

In 1982, he played the role of Herschel in the Broadway on Showtime[3][4] film of Gemini[5] alongside former Bugsy Malone star Scott Baio.[6]

Bribery

After retiring from acting in 1982, Cassisi ran a construction company.[7] From 2012 to 2014, he served as the "Director of Global Construction for Citi Realty Services"[8] for Citigroup. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme and was sentenced to two to six years in prison plus a $500,000 forfeiture.[1][9][10]

Personal life

Cassisi is married, lived in East Northport, Long Island.[1] Cassisi has three children, his eldest son, Robert, died after suffering from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 26.[1]

Partial filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Bugsy Malone Fat Sam Staccetto
1977 Barney Miller Victor Kreutzer 2 episodes, backdoor pilot for Fish
1977-1978 Fish Victor Kreutzer Series regular
1982 Gemini[5] Herschel

References

  1. ^ a b c d McKinley, James C. Jr (1 December 2015). "Ex-Citigroup Construction Executive Admits Taking $500,000 in Bribes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  2. ^ Parker, Alan. "Bugsy Malone: The Making of the Film". Alan Parker – Director, Writer, Producer. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Television and Radio". Sondheim Guide .com. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. ^ O'Connor, John J. (15 February 1984). "'PIPPIN' ON SHOWTIME". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Gemini". ibdb | IBDB. The Broadway League. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ Broadway on Showtime (1982), Gemini, retrieved 2022-02-13
  7. ^ "Florrie Dugger: The downside of growing up with Bugsy Malone". The Independent. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  8. ^
  9. ^ "Former Citigroup construction exec sentenced to prison for $500K bribery scheme". Construction Dive. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  10. ^ Donnelly, Frank (2 December 2015). "D.A.: Borough firm, chief admit to pay-to-play scheme". silive. Retrieved 17 July 2024.


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