Angelo Fierro

American Film and Television Actor

WWW.ANGELOFIERRO.COM

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1197214/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Fierro

Angelo Fierro is a name which may very well fill in the gaps for what Hollywood’s silver screen is currently missing – an all American Italian Stallion. His resemblance to the late James Gandolfini is quite uncanny and which of us would be foolish enough to ever question the wisdom of HBO for snapping up “The Sopranos”? Angelo was born to play the part of the menacing tough guy, an Alpha character which has been richly immortalised, and, in the words of Mr Al Pacino “Scarface” himself, has nothing more of importance to preserve in this world other than two vitally masculine elements; his “word”, and his “balls”. Ok, maybe three things then. Our gutsy Angelo was born fighting on the right side of Boston in Little Italy so he is perfectly prepped for stepping in and out of dark suits and bullet-proofed limousines. One can almost hear the wolf whistling from the “Rat Pack” themselves and see a mother making the sign of the cross as her only daughter steps out of the safety of la familia home and accepts the outstretched hand that only minutes ago snuffed the life out of an unfortunate soul. A body lays grotesquely stuffed in the boot of the car but that’s not going to stop this Romeo from meeting his Juliet. A gentlemen never leaves a lady waiting in the cold and a dead body isn’t exactly going anywhere.

Angelo Fierro thanks so much for joining me on PIZAZZ NEWS. I’ve never needed to check any of my interviewees for weapons before so any guns, knives or shanks – please declare as I am not carrying. I come in peace carrying and daintily waving a white lace lady-like hanky circa 1950s.

Angelo: Ha, ha. OK, I declare. And, I’ll put a child safety lock on my piece, put it in my portable lock box here and give you the keys. A gentleman never allows a lady in his presence to feel at unease. Beautiful handkerchief by the way. Love nostalgia.

[I’m giggling like a Japanese school girl.]

Let me begin with your fascinating Sicilian heritage – your family name originated in Sicily 1000 AD and then your family migrated to the “New World” with the Spanish conquest. The Fierro family is spread across Italy, Mexico and America. In fact, there is no shortage of talent in your family; Acting, Singing, Rebellion and Boxing run deeply in your bloodline.

Angelo: Yes, it does. Really proud of my name and everyone who made it great. They were fascinating individuals.

Is it true that your notable ancestors include Rodolfo Fierro a Mexican rebel, who was portrayed by Charles Bronson in the film “Villa Rides”? It has an amazing all-star cast of so many great Actors, Yul Brynner, Robert Mitchum, and Maria Grazia Buccella, among others.

“Villa Rides.”

Charles Bronson as Rodolfo Fierro

Rodolfo Fierro

Can you tell us more about Rodolfo Fierro and his great rebellion?

Angelo: Oh yeah, Rodolfo! He was a notorious gunfighter in the “Old West”. Not a man you would want to be on the opposing side of. The Mexican army discovered that very quickly during the revolution, when he became a general in Pancho Villa’s rebellion against the military dictatorship of the early 1900s. He was a freedom fighter, and I can’t help but be proud of that. His actions in part, helped to end the dictatorship and forced Mexico to form a Constitutional Republic. He took his enemies seriously and gave no quarter. He didn’t die at the end of another man’s gun either. Say what you will, but that’s the way it was in the “Old West” and it was the code gunfighters lived by.

[I have this sudden urge to get a Pony.]

Angelo: OK, we’ll get you a pony. I know this guy….

Q
Another relative of yours was the late, and still revered, Italian Actor and Singer Aurelio Fierro. Here he is in “Scapricciatiello.”

“Scapricciatiello.”

Aurelio Fierro

Q
What can you tell us about him? And did you inherent any of the Fierro singing genes?

Angelo: Well, I really have to say I’m not sure. I never really explored that aspect of the business myself. But Aurelio was simply great! He had such a beautiful, smooth and melodic voice. I love all his music. I would spend my summers in Italy with my grandparents, as a young boy, and would always listen to his songs. Of course my family would play his records all the time. I loved them but didn’t even realize who he was. It was only later on that I found out. I remember hearing his song “A Pizza,” about a guy chasing after a girl who was only interested in going out for pizza. Well, he gets the girl in the end and marries her. But at the wedding she didn’t want cake, yeah you guessed it, she wanted pizza! I thought it was hilarious. “Scapricciatiello” is a favorite too. What a great video! It’s about a jealous boy who was in love with a beautiful blonde and being told she was too much woman for him. Ha, ha. Wonderful storytelling. Aurelio was truly one of the great Italian singers. We all miss him.

“A Pizza”

Aurelio Fierro

Q
During my research I came across another one of your relatives, Paul Fierro. His profile on IMDb reads as follows;

“Paul Fierro began acting at the dawn of commercialized television; in the heyday of Hollywood’s youth. The 40s were tough times to get a break in the tightly knit “town of dreams,” but Fierro took whatever he could get. He started doing bit parts and eventually the roles grew. By the 1950s he found his niche; usually as the villain in television westerns. Interestingly, the bad guys came in the form of cowboys, or the half-naked Indian as well. His tall, dark, athletic features lending themselves easily to the roles. It was something the always goodhearted actor eventually came to terms with. He became part of one of history’s great film moments in 1948, when in “Red River,” John Wayne claims Diego’s (Walter Brennan) land by shooting Fierro. In 1956, he appeared as Morteno in “The Creature Walks Among Us,” one of the classic monster films from the “Creature From the Black Lagoon” series. The cult status of the film was something he found enjoyable in later years, remarking to a reporter once, that laughing at life was one of the things he loved to do.”

One of his infamous quotes over lunch with journalist and friend Matt Wienstock, elaborating on his many Indian roles was,

“I can go naked, I got muscles.” Paul Fierro

Paul Fierro and Andrea King 1949.

Angelo: Paul was one of the veterans of “Old Hollywood”. I really regret that I never got to meet him before he passed away. He was a tough, no nonsense guy who usually played the heavy in movies and TV. He had a rough life, selling newspapers on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and fighting in illegal boxing matches to earn some money, as a kid. He even played football for Notre Dame, but was a gentle, kind-hearted guy who loved to cook and joke around. He acted alongside the greats like John Wayne, Lloyd Bridges, and the like. What more can you say?

[Illegal boxing, cooking and joking around? SOLD.]

Angelo: Funny, he always joked about never getting the girl! At least, not on camera. Ha, ha.

Q
Would you say that Italian men in particular are more likely than other ethnicities to pump their muscles and embrace their masculine sexuality? Is the “Italian Stallion” a myth, a thing of the past, or is it very much an alive and pumping beast?

Angelo: Oh yeah, it’s a hidden beast, no myth, no doubt! It’s definitely a blood line kind of a thing. It’s in the genes. I can even remember being in a gym once or twice, I think! Ha,ha.

[I have a photo of Angelo pumping some muscle.]

Angelo Fierro

Angelo: You probably would be well advised not to underestimate the Italians for any reason. They don’t give up, they don’t forget and they don’t stop coming at you. They are great fighters, great racers, and to all the ladies out there, they are great romantics in spite of all that, as well.

[Rocky Balboa/Don Juan/Don Giovanni. Say no more!]

Q
You were born and raised in Boston’s Little Italy. What was Little Italy like then and how has it changed?

Angelo: Little Italy or the North End, used to be ninety-nine percent Italian when I was a kid. It was funny. If you weren’t Italian, everyone knew who you were! Ha, ha. Nothing sinister about it, it was just that you stuck out. I remember a clothing store that my mother would take me to, that was owned by a nice, little old Jewish man. Everyone in the North End loved the guy and everyone shopped there. But if you were closed on Saturday in Little Italy back then, well, you stuck out! Saturday was when everyone did their shopping for the big Sunday pranzo, which is the big meal of the day at midday. You had to get dressed for church and then it was food and wine all day long. It was like a mini holiday every Sunday. And if you were a teenager at the time, it was all about stealing away with your brothers and sisters or cousins to have a cigarette somewhere. They were great times. But, many of the Italians are gone now. They left to pursue that Italian American dream of a house with land and a stone wall. Ha, ha. Maybe a picket fence, who knows! Young, urban professionals make up most of the residents now I guess, though I don’t know what the breakdown is exactly. The restaurant and business owners are mostly Italian still, but they all reside in the suburbs mainly. It was prosperity and the desire to achieve that caused most of the Italians to move. You can’t find fault with that. But overall, the North End still retains its Italian heritage and is said to be the best Little Italy in the country. How cool is that?

[Very cool.]

Q
What was it like growing up in an American Italian household?

Angelo: It was simply amazing! I wouldn’t trade it for the world! Nothing compares to growing up Italian, nothing! Family, food and wine was, and still is, everything. The good life – “La Dolce Vita”. Friends who were like family. Family that would stick by you no matter what. The love you had for the old country, intertwined with the love for the dream that was America. The one place on earth that you would leave Italy for. The one and only place! And that bond was what cemented everyone who was Italian together, here in America. And all the great role models we had here! My God, Sinatra, Como, Martin, Marciano, the list goes on and on. We were all so proud of them for fulfilling the dream we all aspired to. If they could do it, so could we. And we did. Great times.

[Wonderful, wonderful.]

Q
When did you first realize that you wanted to seriously explore Acting as a profession?

Angelo: Well, I stumbled into acting almost completely by accident by landing a “Toyota” commercial that came out of the blue, really. Then, I let the desire sort of die, mostly because I had no clue how to go about being an Actor. Unbeknownst to me, I had already successfully jumped over one of the biggest hurdles, by getting into the union from the commercial I did. So, I decided to go back to college and get my degree in business. Figures my university would have an acting school as well. I thought to myself, just take one class and see where it goes. I had electives to fill anyway. So the first day of acting class, the Professor comes in and tells the class what he expects. People who are going for their MFAs are all fine with it. And I’m thinking to myself: exercises and performances in front of the class? Every day? Starting today?? I was freaked out! There weren’t that many people at the commercial! But I stayed until the end of class and thought, “Well, if I can make it through today, tomorrow has got to be easier.” It wasn’t! But by day two, the bug’s fang had completely penetrated through my skin and was actively injecting the venom of performing into my veins. There was no longer any hope. I was lost in the tempest of show business.

Q
You also did some stand-up comedy, did you enjoy it or was it nerve wracking? Is it something you think you would ever go back to?

Angelo: Oh, you mean, “Stand Up New York!” Yeah, it was really amazing to make it there. It was really something else to be on that stage. I performed with a couple of other actors, slash comedians and to be honest, it was no more or LESS, nerve racking to me than performing in a play on stage anywhere else, except of course, that there is no “wall” and your connection with the audience is more personal. I performed at a couple of other venues prior to “Stand Up New York,” and it was a fun ride. But, I really found myself more dedicated to drama and film as an art form. I love doing comedy too, don’t get me wrong. I love making people laugh. It’s a great rush to hear laughter. Not so much when you don’t! Ha! It’s always rewarding to get a laugh, or a gasp from the audience when you’re supposed to, or to hear the complete silence embracing the sound of sniffles, when you’re performing a heart breaking scene. That’s acting. That’s why we do it. If we’re not making you feel something, we shouldn’t be up there. But to answer your question: Yes, I would definitely do stand up. It is performing or stage work after all.

Q
I know you also write poetry, can you share one of your poems with us?

Angelo: Wow, I should have never mentioned that to you way back when. I knew that it was going to come back and bite me in the butt someday! Hmm, just give me a minute. Ok, this is a short little poem about a knight who feels he failed to protect his princess and the only one I can recall completely. It’s called “Farewell To A Princess”.

Farewell To A Princess

A knight’s gaze,
A solemn wind,
Cliffs perched above shattered shores.

Darkness sets,
The stallion nays,
Blood flows from armor scored.

A coloured lance,
Thrust unto the sea,
Of lavender purloined.

A falcon’s cry,
A heavy heart,
A princess is no more.

A hidden tear,
A lowered shield,
A promise once adored.

A journey home,
A life of rue,
A yearning to be endured.

[Breathtakingly beautiful.]

Angelo: Thank you so much. Really glad you like it.

Q
You appeared in a commercial where your tagline was, “Are You Wearing a Wire?” – I know Tony Soprano was always concerned about such matters, and they say paranoia is contagious. I just loved this parody commercial you did for “Andalusia Spanish Olive Oil”. So, tell us Angelo, without admitting to any crimes, how deeply does the character of Tony Soprano resonate with you?

“Andalusia Spanish Olive Oil,” commercial.

Angelo Fierro.

Angelo: Wow, that’s a heck of a question. His character, huh? Hmm, I refuse to answer this question. Should I have brought my lawyer to this thing? What’s the next one? Just kidding, of course. Ha, ha. No, it resonates deeply with me in that his character is a man of respect and honor. He gives the respect required and he expects the respect due his station as well. If he doesn’t get it, you’re toast. There are rules and consequences in his way of life, and he accepted them going in, as did everyone else he deals with. Not that I agree with the illegality of it. We are talking about his character here, right? Is your cell phone recording any of this? Can I see it for a minute?

[Let me first delete some potentially incriminating/embarrassing pictures of myself before I hand it over.]

Angelo: Ha, ha.

[Too late.]

Angelo: And I can’t help but identify with the heritage. He has a great love for tradition, the great Italians, and Italy itself. Those are things I won’t ever argue with. Funny thing was, I looked enough like him to land a parody commercial, which they were very careful not to associate too closely to Tony. They were thinking of going with the name “Tony Sorrento,” for the spot, then decided against it. Copyright infringement and all that jazz. That’s why they picked the name “Bruno Fierro.” [Great gangster name.] Someone noticed that somewhere and they called me in to photo double for him in The Sopranos, when they were filming in Miami. Funny thing was when Tony Sirico, who plays “Paulie” on the series, saw me, he would just stare. Hah! He must have been thinking, “Is that his brother or something?” Ha, ha. It was so great being on that set. Being cast as his very evil brother, who was imprisoned in Italy would have been nice too, but hey, that’s show business.

[I just let out a very irritating and high-pitched squeal – “The Sopranos”!!!]

The Sopranos Call Sheet – “Remember When”.

Q
“D-DAY”, A Romantic Short Comedy.
When I first watched this film my immediate thought was, “This is exactly how Italy would do a show like The Office”. How did it feel playing the libidinous Bruce, and will there be a Bruce revival? What do you imagine a Part 2 of “D-Day” would look like?

“D-Day”. A Romantic Short Comedy.

Angelo: Italy totally would do a show like “The Office” in that way. Ciao Cinecitta, are you listening?

[Cinecitta?]

You don’t know about Cinecitta? Cinecitta literally means “Cinema City”. It’s in Rome and is the largest film studio in Europe. They refer to it as “Hollywood on the Tiber.” I hope to visit it soon. But getting back to Bruce, he would be considered the stereotypical wolf in Italy, as well as here. He’d chase everything in a skirt and blow it with all of them because he just doesn’t see himself that way. That’s what made playing him fun. In his mind, he’s trying to be suave. Ha, ha. But Bruce is a numbers guy. When he obviously fails with one, he immediately moves onto the next. He is somewhat delusional. The problem is, a lot of women eventually give into him because they figure he’s funny, in a strange kind of way, and he is dedicated to winning them over. I hear girls like those two things. Hah! But I do wish there would be a “D-Day” part two, at least! Funny that you would ask that. Are you psychic? Yes, part two goes like this: “Sally sleeps with Bruce to fulfill her part of their agreement. Unfortunately for her, she falls hard for Bruce after their little liaison! Bruce was only after one thing, however. Once he gets it, he fully intends to keep his agreement. In fact he prefers it that way! He fully intends to move on and doesn’t talk to Sally anymore. But now, she won’t leave him alone and starts stalking him!” Ha, ha, ha. I would love to do it as a sitcom. Bruce’s adventures would be endless, and hilarious!

[I totally can see this!!!]

Q How was the auditioning process for D-Day and how did you find your experience working with the Director?

Angelo: Well, both turned out to be bittersweet, unfortunately. As you may know from the tribute at the end of D-Day, It is dedicated to the Director, Delroy Von Lynt and the Casting Director, Bryce Dion. Shortly after filming, Delroy was found dead in Miami under mysterious circumstances I was told. I don’t think he even got to see the finished product and he never saw it at the film festival where it was released. He would have loved to see how much the audience loved it. They were laughing hysterically. It was a fantastic experience for me to be there that night. People were thanking me and shaking my hand. A damn shame really. He was always smiling on set. To add to that and hitting even closer to home several years later, my good friend Bryce, and a fellow Bostonian, was shot and killed tragically on the set of “COPS,” by police he was working with during filming of an actual armed robbery. A God awful tragedy. Bryce was the sweetest guy. Always smiling and kidding around. It will always be one of the truly great experiences of my career and I will always be grateful to him for casting me in it. [Angelo looks upward and gives a thumbs up.] Thanks Bryce!

Bryce Dion

Q
The History Channel produced a documentary titled, “Breaking Vegas – The Counterfeit King”, who were you portraying and was it actually filmed in a Casino in Vegas?

Angelo: “Breaking Vegas” was filmed in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. And yes, most of the interior scenes were shot inside the Golden Nugget Casino in Reno. The rest was filmed in and around the casinos in Vegas. It was a fantastic show and shoot. It was about an absolutely brilliant coin counterfeiter named Louis Colavecchio, from Rhode Island. He really was the greatest coin counterfeiter ever. Hence the show’s title, “The Counterfeit King.” I played Louis on the show. He was the primary reason why casinos got rid of their tokens for slot machines. [smiles] A mistake in my mind because that was what made “the slots” really fun. I think the machines are boring as hell now. Anyway, he stole millions from the casinos by cashing out tokens he made himself. No easy process. But his tokens were such authentic replicas, that the casinos could not identify his counterfeits from the real ones, even after he was caught and they knew his tokens were mixed in with theirs. Louis Colavecchio himself appeared on it as well. A fantastic show in a fantastic city. I will always feel a strong connection to Vegas because of it. I hope they realize that I only PLAYED Louis on the show and that they don’t forcibly remove me from the casinos next time I’m in town!

“Breaking Vegas -The Counterfeit King.”

Louis Colavecchio

Angelo Fierro featured in the role as Louis Colavecchio.

Q
Another commercial which you landed, where you were literally at the bottom end of a man’s rump was for MTV. Did you have much difficulty not bursting out into fits of laughter or were you entranced by drawing pictures on a man’s naked buttocks in your role as a surgeon?

MTV “Use Them or Lose Them” commercial.

Angelo: Oh yeah, that one! Everyone always brings that one up. When I tell people that Hollywood is not as glamorous as it may seem, that commercial is exactly what I am talking about! It took several hours to film that, believe it or not. Not my idea of a fun time. It wasn’t particularly the other guy’s idea of fun either! But, the finished product was funny, so I guess it was worth it. I was reading magazines while we were waiting for the right lighting, or camera angle, or this or that. And hey, it was summertime, so at least it was warm for my patient!

Q
You appeared in a film with Mexican Actor Ricardo Chavez titled, “Pretty Boy”. It was Ricardo’s first English speaking role and the film won an award at the Miami Film Festival. How would you describe this film and what was your character’s relationship to Ricardo’s character?

“Pretty Boy”

Angelo Fierro and Ricardo Chavez.

Angelo: Ricardo is a fantastic actor and a huge star in Spanish TV and film. On top of that, he is absolutely the nicest guy in the world! It was fantastic working with him. We are great friends and had a ton of laughs on that set. We were both extremely proud of the film’s win in Miami. It was shot there as well. The film was a Cuban gangster piece, at least for my character, dragging Ricardo’s character reluctantly through the world of crime in Miami. We were both gay in the film and that was a first for both of us, I think. My character at least, was a “Tony Montana” type of persona. You can imagine the conflict that I was dealing with in trying to develop the portrait of a gay “Scarface”. How the hell do I do that? Finally, I decided on portraying him as tough as possible to everyone except Ricardo’s character. Outwardly, I decided to treat him as a father would treat a son. I felt that kind of relationship would convey the right balance of emotions all around. And I guess, based on its win, that it created exactly the right chemistry between the two characters to make it feel real.

[Brilliant film.]

Angelo: Grazie! Or maybe I should say, Gracias bab-y!

Q
You have appeared with Eva Longoria, in the film “Senorita Justice”. You played the role of Carlos Rios. Tell us more about your character in the film. How did you find the experience?

“Senorita Justice.”

Angelo: Well in this film, I played the kind hearted Cuban father of the lead character, who was killing everyone all over the place. Ha, ha. Totally different from my usual character, who is doing most of the killing. But hey, I do nice guys too once in a while! And if you’re an Italian actor hanging in Miami, you get to play a lot of Cuban guys! Love Miami, it’s my second home and I really adore the Cuban people. They have been so good to me. Very similar to the Italians in so many ways. Except for the plantains. The Italians don’t have those, but I can’t get enough of them! Delicious! Hah! “Senorita Justice” was a great experience too. Actually I haven’t had many bad ones, when I really think about it. But it was fun. Unfortunately, our characters never crossed paths in the movie. Figures I would play a nice guy in this flick and never have to lock horns with the beautiful lady detective. Ha, ha. We did run into each other on social media years later though. She is a sweet, beautiful lady.

[I love a happy ending. No pun intended.]

Q
Another film you were in was “Final Engagement”. A plot synopsis by IMDb reads as follows:

“Set in the crime underworld of South Florida, Jacqueline is used as a pawn by her Miami crime boss father Jimmy Bombay. To expand his crime empire and join forces with an international drug cartel, Jimmy has arranged for Jacqueline to marry Dante Calivari, the son of a foreign drug lord. As Jacqueline fights for her freedom, her only solace is found in the counsel of a priest. But in this world of lies and deception, all is not as it seems as a journey down the aisle turns deadly.”

“Final Engagement.”

Did you just not squeal with delight being in this action packed gangster number? What was your role in the film?

Angelo: Ah, yeah… no. Don’t usually squeal for any reason really. Not my thing. I do remember having a drink or two that night though! Or, was it three or four? Oh well, no matter, suffice to say I was psyched about it. [smiles] I played the treacherous gangster “John Knight.” I double cross the boss and yes, I get whacked in the end. Oh well, it’s the way it goes in the underworld. DTA people, DTA! Ha, ha. Had to fall overboard when I got shot… twice. And there’s the not so glamorous part people! Going into the drink over and again to get the shot. Swimming after the boat fully dressed, drinking gasoline, breathing fumes and dodging the possibility of bull sharks. Fun stuff right? But no, it really is satisfying in the end when you get to see a great finished product. And you get to be involved in a film with the likes of amazing Hollywood stars such as Peter Greene. Priceless.

[Priceless. I was sold on the sniffing fumes and bull-sharks.]

Q
You are no stranger to the world of TV series either. You played the part of Vladimir in the series “Ocean Avenue” alongside cast members Megan Fox, Victoria Jackson (SNL), Playboy Model, Victoria Silvstedt and Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta. Were you engaged in any romantic shenanigans in a Jacuzzi? Tell us more about your character Vladimir, that’s quite some name!

“Ocean Avenue.”

Angelo: What! There was a Jacuzzi on set?! And nobody told me? Where was it? What gives people, what gives?

[Ha ha ha. Angelo would so be in that Jacuzzi – No doubt!]

Angelo: Yeah, that show was full of true Goddesses. They were all absolutely gorgeous, talented stars, and every single one was a real professional. Victoria Silvstedt was as sharp as a tack. She really knew the biz. We talked about it quite a bit. Megan Fox was simply exploding onto the scene then. Victoria Jackson was as adorable as always and was… well, Victoria Jackson! Jessica was one of my best buddies on the set. We hung out and had the best time, every day. She really was a doll. One of the sweetest people I ever met in the biz. Miss working with people as nice as her. It was my debut onto television, so you can imagine that I was blown away by how great and real everyone was. Not what I was expecting at all from stars of that caliber. Anyway, I portrayed a Russian mob boss, Vladimir, who was always chasing someone down. Don’t think I ever caught anyone though. Ha, ha. Loved doing Vlad. He was a real bad boy. And what guy would complain about being surrounded by such beauty and talent everyday?

[Absolutely no man or woman I can think of.]

Q
Last year you did a film titled, “Roads”. What was the film about and what challenges did the character present you with?

Angelo: It was a quick look at a man’s life who went from having it all, to losing it all and becoming a homeless drug addict. I have always desired to play a homeless person. So, I did the part, even though it wasn’t a huge role. We filmed it in Boston’s central park, the Boston Commons. And I hit pay dirt; I accomplished what I wanted to achieve within the scope of the character. The huge challenge that I wanted to overcome was in being truly believable in the role. I was confident but kept wondering if I could really hit the mark. Well, I studied the real homeless for a few days. And no, not the well fed, overweight guy, briskly walking through oncoming traffic by the roadside with a sign and the unworn clothes either. During the shoot, I also figured that I would just engage someone who was going by. The cameraman was keeping a low profile and people thought he was just randomly shooting different homeless people there. A few people actually put change in my cup. I was blown away. Firstly, because of the kindness they showed me, and secondly, because they believed me. Then this really sweet guy saw me and put a dollar in my cup. It may sound cruel, but I was rude to him in return. I had seen some of the homeless that were obviously on something, being that way sometimes, so I figured what the heck – that’s what I was supposed to be as well. He replied back politely, but he obviously figured I was really living on the street. It was one of the most extremely rewarding moments for me. And…. the Director chased the guy down and told him what was actually going on. [smiles]

[That’s a good thing the Director caught up and explained the situation.]

Angelo: Yeah, we were both on the same page with that. I expected him to. If he didn’t, I’d have done it myself at the cut. Nice guy.

Q
What are your three all-time favorite films? Why?

Angelo: Awe, you had to ask me one of those?

[Yes Angelo, yes I did.]

Angelo: OK, OK, I’ll tell you four of my top favorites.

[Ok Angelo you be the boss and I’ll grab the arsenic, I mean popcorn.]

Angelo: It would be impossible to say that 3 were exactly at the top. There are so many that are equally in the top tier of maybe thirty? Ah, let’s see; “2001; A Space Odyssey”, “Apocalypse Now”, “Scarface” and “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly”, and the Italian comedy “Johnny Stecchino”.

[That’s five films, they are all AMAZING so number counting is out!]

Angelo: They all took you somewhere. A different place, a different lifestyle, a different reality from the one you know and are comfortable with. That’s the beauty and art of film: To show you dimensions of mind that you will otherwise never experience in your life. They broaden your reality and your experience of being human.

[Nodding my head.]

Q
Who are your favorite Actors? Why?

Angelo: Awe c’mon! There are just so many greats. Alright, I’ll tell you just some of the people I’d like to work with. How’s that?

[Go on Angelo, spit it out already!]

Angelo: I would say Pacino, Depp, Oldman, Hopkins, Crowe, Eastwood, Ben Kingsley, etc., etc., etc.,

[YAS!!!!!]

Angelo: Hah! And the list goes on and on, really. And my Actress friends are all so absolutely talented and beautiful, that it would be such a pleasure to work with any of them. I really dig them all! [blushes].

[How sweet is Angelo when he blushes?]

Angelo: Oh, and some past greats of course: Bogart, Guinness, Heston, Mastroianni, Sellers, John Candy, Marilyn, Temple, Bacall and…. June Allyson. Whew, there are just so many. But an Actor has to be able to take you with them wherever they’re going. That’s the key. You want to hang out with them and go wherever they do. If you have that, you have it all.

[Truth.]

Q
Which director(s) would you most like to meet and why?

Angelo: You’re not gonna stop, are you?

[Oh come on, don’t start with throwing one of your tantrums or else I’ll call your mother! I’m dialing right now…area code 00 11- 1..].

Angelo: OK, OK, just a few that come to mind would be, Kubrick, Leone, Scorsese, De Palma, Coppola and Benigni. And I really wouldn’t want to meet them in an Actor / Director type of scenario either, as much as that may surprise you. I really would like to see how they perceive life just beyond the camera’s lens. Then explain how they recreate it for the camera to record. That would really be amazing! They all have a unique vision for their respective genres and I’d love to know how all of their mind’s eyes work. Fascinating…

[Well and truly!]

Q
If you had an open cheque and could make any film you wanted to, what kind of film would you make?

Angelo: Ooh, I like that question! Right now I am torn [in the fantasy world of an open cheque, of course ] ha, ha, of a Western reminiscent of the Leone vision, or a classic gangster period piece set in the 1930s. I think Hollywood needs to refocus on those, but make them feel ‘real’, not just throw money at them and hope they work. I think that sometimes Hollywood uses too much cash and too little everything else. Some really classic films were made on almost insignificant budgets. I think we need to get back to that.

[100% in agreement – bring back the classics. You and I will do it.]

Angelo: OK, call me. We’ll do lunch. [smiles]

Q
Do you also sing? If so, what kind of songs do you love to sing?

Angelo: I am a killer singer in the shower and in my car with the volume on max. No kidding, I hear myself sing in those two venues and I sound amazing! Ha, ha, ha! Ah, but really, uhm, I never really sang anywhere or took lessons. It’s something that I would like to explore professionally someday soon though. I am pretty sure that I could do some scoop or lounge possibly. I do like to sing Italian songs just as an exercise one in a while. Anyway, the ladies love it when you sing to them, no matter how good you are.

[This guy knows way too much about women. I need to get that instrument they used in “Men in Black” and zap him into forgetfulness.]

Q
What kind of character roles do you most feel resonate with you now?

Angelo: Oh, the offbeat for sure. Complex stuff, like the angry homeless, or something like a jovial gangster that no one ever sees coming. Love roles that take you by surprise, that lead you somewhere and then turn on you. That’s fun and the audience loves following your journey there, if they don’t know where you’re taking them. That’s priceless. I really enjoy watching the old “Columbo” movies with Peter Falk. He always managed to outsmart very smart people by pretending to be dumber than they were. Brilliant dichotomy and very entertaining.

Q
What beneficial piece of advice can you give to younger people who are considering journeying into an Actor’s path?

Angelo: Well, you’ve probably heard this all before and it IS true: It’s hard, it’s full of rejection, and it’s not as glamorous as you may think or desire. You really have to want to be the best at it essentially and not look at it in terms of financial reward. That will be minimal for a long time. If you see the harsh reality of that however, and you can honestly say to yourself that you can deal with it, AND you desire to do it because you want to perform, because you HAVE TO perform, not because you want fame, then don’t let anyone ever dissuade you! You have to follow your dreams, if you are sure they are truly yours, not those projected onto you by others or falsely by your own self. Life is short, so make it count.

[What a wonderful way to express positive thinking.]

Q
What is next for you Angelo?

Angelo: I’m not really sure of that answer at all Natasha! Suffice to say, I’m currently auditioning for roles that I find challenging and very cool to portray and I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of me in the very near future. I would like to produce and play the lead in a film that I’ve written about a homeless man and his difficult journey, as well. Just something that just seems to resonate really deeply with me right now… Didn’t you ask me that before? Hah!

[Tsk tsk.]

Q
Angelo, you are such a sweetie, are you in anyway related to my favourite chocolate “Ferrero Rocher”?

Angelo: No, and fortunately for me! If I was, I probably wouldn’t be able to fit through anything but a double doorway. But I know a guy, who knows a guy, who can get them by the gross, on the cuff. If you’re serious about it, I’ll take you down to the docks tomorrow night and you can meet him. Capisce?

[Capisce, Capitano. I’ll be wearing a trench coat, smoking a cigar and looking over my shoulder nervously.]

Angelo Fierro, it has been a pleasure interviewing you for PIZAZZ NEWS and I am looking forward to seeing you carry the torch for all Italian Stallions everywhere – in tinsel town and beyond!