Danny Aiello performs at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Lorenzo’s Cabaret at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave., Travis. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, with a minimum food and beverage purchase of $15. More info: 718-477-2400, LorenzosDining.com.
In anticipation of his performance Aug. 7, AWE offers a refresher course on the career of a Staten Island favorite
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Danny Aiello has shared swinging songs and stories with Staten Island fans for years now. Heck, the Manhattan-born entertainer is practically a regular at Lorenzo’s Cabaret, where he’s back by popular demand on Aug. 7.
Sure, for the past decade Aiello has been concentrating more on his music career (how fitting for the honorary Staten Islander who played Madonna’s dad in the “Papa Don’t Preach” video shot in Stapleton 23 years ago).
But let’s not forget this man’s overall impact on entertainment: He’s also a Broadway veteran and Oscar-nominated character actor who’s worked with some of America’s most renowned auteur filmmakers.
As a pre-Lorenzo’s refresher course — an “Aiello Appreciation/Appetizer,” if you will — we’re featuring a few of his seminal cinematic efforts, from major releases to challenging indie fare:
Fort Apache: The Bronx (1981) — Critics took notice of Aiello in a small role as a racist NYC cop opposite Paul Newman.
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) — After a decade of bit parts (from “The Godfather II” to “ABC Afterschool Specials”), Aiello scored a breakout role as Monk, the brutish husband of Mia Farrow in Woody Allen’s melancholy valentine to the silver screen, circa the 1930s.
Moonstruck (1987) — Aiello charmed audiences as Cher’s mama’s boy fiance, Johnny Cammareri, in this acclaimed romance from director Norman Jewison (“In the Heat of the Night”).
Do the Right Thing (1989) — As Sal, a pizzeria owner in do-or-die Bed-Stuy, Aiello earned a best supporting actor Academy Award nomination in Spike Lee’s racially charged modern classic.
Once Around (1991) — A nice change-of-pace role as Holly Hunter’s protective father. One of two films this year in which he shared his fine singing voice (the other: Bruce Willis’ “Hudson Hawk” debacle).
Ready-to-Wear (1994) — A brave — VERY against-type — Aiello scores laughs as a cross-dressing fashion director in Robert Altman’s sprawling dissection of the high-fashion industry.
Dinner Rush (2000) — “Top Chef” fans should check out director Bob Giraldi’s underrated look at the behind-the-scenes machinations of a NYC restaurant. Aiello is all understated cool as a restaurateur-bookmaker in Tribeca.