A veteran of nearly 100 films, Jon Polito is most recognized for his work with The Coen brothers, as well as his many television appearances as a series regular and guest star. Notable motion picture roles include: Millers Crossing, Barton Fink, The Man Who Wasn't There, The Crow, Blankman, and The Freshman with Marlon Brando, and Big Eyes. Directors he has worked with include; Russel Mulcahy, Clint Eastwood, John McNaughton, Tom Hanks, Andrew Bergman, Michael Apted, Ridley Scott, and Tim Burton amongst others. On television, he starred as a series regular on Crime Story, Ohara, Hearts are Wild, The Chronical, and the critically acclaimed Homicide, Life on the Street. Notable guest star roles include the befuddled landlord Sylvio on Seinfeld, his only role as a woman - Rhonda, on The Chris Isaak Show, Danny Devito's brother Frank on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,, and Earl Chambers on Modern Family. He starred on Broadway with Faye Dunaway in The Curse Of An Aching Heart, and with Dustin Hoffman in the 1985 Tony award winning revival of Death Of A Salesman, which he also filmed for CBS. He received the Best Actor OBIE award for Off Broadway theatre in 1980. Other awards include the 2001 TELLY for animation voice over in The Dancing Pumpkin which was directed by his brother Jack Polito, The New York Independent Festival Award for Excellence in Acting, and the 2005 Cinequest Maverick Award for his lifetime body of work in Film and Television. In 2012 Jon received the Best Actor Award for the short film Anti-Muse from the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. He credits his success to three people; his mentor Dominic Garvey, his only acting teacher Irene Baird, and to the late, great director, and friend, Paul Bettis. In addition, his inspiration to this day is New York theatre artist, Theodora Skipitares, who taught him film and design in university, and who has since never been far away from his life. She is 'Art' surviving.
Is of Italian ancestry.
Attended Villanova University on a drama scholarship, graduating on the Deans list. From there, he began a successful lengthy run on the New York stage both off and on Broadway.
Was considered for the role of Captain Spaulding in House of 1000 Corpses , which went to Sid Haig.
Originated roles in the plays "The Transfiguation of Benno Blimpie", "Gemini" and "Other Peoples Money".
Won the Best actor OBIE award for five different performances in the 1979/1980 off-Broadway season.
Was not rehired for the second season of "Homicide: Life on the Street" because the network wanted to add a female cast member.
Christopher Guest directed Jon in a commercial for the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His first Broadway job was when he was 26 years old and was hired as standby for 45 year old Kenneth McMillan in the original production of David Mamets "American Buffalo".
Has appeared in five Coen Brothers films: Millers Crossing , Barton Fink , The Hudsucker Proxy , The Big Lebowski and The Man Who Wasnt There .
(2011, on his El Gato character on Miami Vice) I remember everything,about El Gato. El Gato was brilliant. That was an insane role.
It was beautiful stuff.
