You may not know him by name, but you’ve most likely watched several of Joe Pasci’s movies before. He’s best known for his role in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992), where he played Harry—one of the two bumbling antagonists who broke into Kevin McCallister’s home. Pesci also appeared in Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995) alongside Robert De Niro.
Joe Pesci is noticeably shorter than many of his co-stars. In-Home Alone and Home Alone 2, Daniel Stern, who played Harry’s partner-in-crime Marv, practically towered over him. So, how tall is Joe Pesci? This article talks about Joe Pesci’s height, as well as his early life and career.
How Tall Is Joe Pesci?
According to IMDb, Italian-American actor Joe Pesci is 5’3” tall (1.63 m)—just slightly taller than Kevin Hart at a little over 5’2”. No wonder Harry—Joe Pesci’s character in Home Alone (1990)—looked tiny standing next to his partner Marv (Daniel Stern); Marv was an entire full foot taller at 6’3″ (1.93 m)!
Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern’s stills in the movie Home Alone (1990)
Image source: IMDb
Joe Pesci is known for his tough-guy persona, which stands out even more given his shorter stature. His ability to intimidate people twice his size makes any scene immediately memorable.
Joe Pesci’s Italian gangster character truly came alive in Casino (1995), where he delivered an unforgettable performance as Nicky Santoro. He exuded menace and authority, making him a force to be reckoned with. I highly recommend watching it if you’re into organized crime movies!
Who Is Joe Pesci?
Joe Pesci is an Italian-American actor, born on February 9, 1943, in Newark, New Jersey. His father, Angelo Pesci, was a forklift driver, and his mother, Mary Mesce, was a part-time barber. Both his parents were born in Italy, with families in Turin and Aquilonia.
Pesci began his acting career at a young age, appearing in plays at just 5 years old. By the time he was 10, he was featured on the TV show Startime Kids, which also starred American actress and pop singer Connie Francis.
In the first 20 years of his career, Pesci mostly appeared in minor, often uncredited roles in various low-budget films. That changed in 1976 when he played Jerry Bolanti, a Mafia hoodlum, in The Death Collector.
Joe Pesci’s stills in The Death Collector (located in the middle, with Joe Pesci being the shortest)
Image source: Google
Although it was a minor role, Joe Pesci’s superb acting caught the attention of Robert De Niro. De Niro persuaded director Martin Scorsese to cast Pesci in Raging Bull (1980), and from there, his career took off. Some of the movies he starred in include:
- Easy Money (1983)
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
- Goodfellas (1990).
- Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- Bronx Tale (1993)
- 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)
- Gone Fishin’ (1997)
- The Irishman (2020)
Pesci won over 10 awards throughout his acting career, with the most notable being Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, British Film Academy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards, and most recently, Outstanding Supporting Actor at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
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Conclusion
Joe Pesci stands at 5’3” tall, making him shorter than most of his co-stars. However, his height was never really an issue in the movies he starred in—in fact, it was arguably one of his defining traits.
He dominated every scene in the films he starred in with his explosive personality, sharp wit, and iconic New York mobster voice, making him appear intimidating even when surrounded by people twice his height.
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