Daniel Grimaldi (FCRH 1966): Actor, Scientist & Scholar

 Daniel Grimaldi (FCRH 1966): Actor, Scientist & Scholar


     Daniel Grimaldi was born in 1946 and is an American actor and mathematics professor who is best known for his roles as twins Philly and Patsy Parisi on the award winning HBO television series The Sopranos. 

     While researching this piece, I wasn’t sure if all the dates synched up over on the Forever Fordham site? If what I read was true, he started Fordham at an age when most of us were sophomores in high school. 


Entered Fordham at 16 Years of Age

     “I attended Xaverian High School in Brooklyn.” The obviously very bright, ambitious  powerhouse explained, “I was sixteen when I graduated. I received several scholarships

(including) a full one to Fordham. Many of my classmates were going.”

     He was a Screen Actors Guild award winner, in 2008, for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for The Sopranos. He opened up about his college experiences at the Rose Hill Bronx campus by saying: “I commuted by train. One hour and forty five minutes each way. In my sophomore and junior year a friend drove. But often I would have to take the train because our schedules did not jell. In senior year I used my father's car,” added the 5 foot-4 inch dedicated alumni. “My family couldn't afford the room & board. One of the few regrets I have in life is not living on campus.”

     

Don’t Go In The House!

     His first break came in 1979 as the star of the above titled independent horror film. It is described as “A young man who was driven mad by the death of his abusive mother now stalks young women with a flamethrower.” 

Note: I’ve watched, and yes it is as nasty as it sounds. If you are interested, here is the YouTube link-be careful: r. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxmz1vjCOk4&t=6s


Bell Laboratories Scientist

     Doctor Daniel Grimaldi went on to complete a Master of Science in Operations Research from NYU and a  PhD in Data Processing from City University of New York. That early IMDb.com credit above was in 1979. It sounded like those 13 years between might have been filled with working on your Master's degree and PhD? Turns out there was more to his development before being bit-by-the-acting-bug. 

     “Acting was not a thought. It just popped into my mind when I worked at Bell Labs as a member of technical staff in computer graphics.” I looked up archived copies of the University newspapers (The Ram) and did NOT see any productions that mentioned his name. It turns out he didn’t perform in any collegiate shows/plays. He added, “I went to study with Lee Strasberg (starting) in 1970.”

 

            (aveleyman.com)

Let’s Get To The Quote: “It won’t be cinematic.”

     For those who haven’t seen the episode, on The Sopranos, from all those years ago-let me set the scene. New Jersey Mob Boss Tony Soprano has one of his many adulterous love affairs. This time he meets Gloria. Who is pretty, a successful Mercedes Car sales rep and a bit of a world traveler. The two meet in the waiting room of their mutual psychiatrist, accidentally due to a scheduling mix-up. After a point, Tony wants to end it. Gloria  not only wants to be part of the gangster’s life she even goes so far as to make contact with his wife. (Oh girlfriend, you can do so much better.)     

     He sends Patsy Parisi, our boy Dan-Class of ‘66-to scare her away while ostensibly test driving a car. Away from the protection of her suburban New Jersey dealership, he pulls over: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GCQnTPF4_o

Note: Between now and posting of this article I can’t afford to have YouTube delete this one. So, basically he pulls out a gun and points it at her. Warns her to distance herself from Soprano and his family or she will be dead; by his hand. No ancient Greek tragedy or retired NFL Quarterback stuff for her to go over to the next world on.  


Got To Have A Side-Hustle

      Has it the cutting edge humor of "No soup for you!" or will it last the test of time like "Live long and prosper"? Only time will tell. But it is a wonderful line that is so simply, cleanly delivered. It seems Daniel Grimaldi has also discovered that phrase’s nutritional value. You can request a greeting/warning for just about any occasion, for a price of course.

     I didn’t get a definitive answer, from the Assistant Professor Mathematics & Computer Science at Kingsborough Community College, in Brooklyn, when I asked if “It Won’t Be Cinematic”will be on your tombstone? But I did get a smile.


Can We Make It A Point to Carry His Name Forward?

      Here is a post from the 78 year old Fordham Alumni; His request on the Instagram Account where you can follow him too.



References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Grimaldi

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0342106/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

https://www.pinterest.fr/bergin0639/dan-grimaldi/

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