SJM_Interview_Chazz_0324_layout 3 / 25 / 24 2 : 51 PM Page 2 LTHOUGH IT REACHED CLICHÉ STATUS LONG AGO , the old adage “ write what you know ” remains the No . 1 tip for aspiring playwrights , novelists and screenwriters . When Chazz Palminteri was desperately seeking his big break — and just a job , frankly — that was the exact advice he heeded . Little did he know at the time that the words that soon flowed would go on A to define his career and keep him in the limelight for the next three decades . Palminteri was a struggling actor making ends meet by working as a bouncer in the late 1980s when he decided to take control of his own artistic future by writing a one - man play based on his upbringing in an Italian neighborhood in New York . That coming - of - age story , A Bronx Tale , instantly resonated with audiences when it debuted onstage , connecting with both those who grew up in similar circumstances and those from different backgrounds . Not only were the characters relatable , but themes like handling peer pressure , trying to find your way in the world and balancing parental approval with personal goals proved to be universal . Movie studios came calling right away with a desire to turn the play into a film , but there was a catch : They craved Palminteri’s story , but they did not want him to pen the screenplay , and they certainly had no desire to see him act . In a crossroads of not just his career but his life , he stayed true to his dreams and refused to sell . Ultim ately , his patience paid off when Robert De Niro loved the play and offered to direct a script written by Palminteri , with Palminteri playing the key role of a mobster named Sonny . With De Niro in a supporting part as Lorenzo , based on Palminteri’s father , the movie became a cult classic that continues to be discovered by younger fans to this day . Palminteri’s career took off as well , with the highlights including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Bullets Over Broadway , a pivotal part in the renowned crime movie The Usual Suspects , a hilarious recurring role on television’s Modern Family , and dozens of memorable characters on the small and silver screens . A Bronx Tale , meanwhile , has never disappeared from his life , as he created a musical version that ran on Broadway and continues to perform the original one - man play at theaters across the country . It comes to Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City on April 20 . South Jersey Magazine spoke to Palminteri about the enduring appeal of A Bronx Tale , why he still loves performing the show and his other career peaks , including his new podcast , The Chazz Palminteri Show . part and insisting on playing that role when youthe most ? Q & A themovie got made . How difficult was it for There are a few : “ Now youse can’t leave . ” My 13 - year - old son just recently asked me youto stick to your guns and not waver on “ Thesaddest thing in life [ is wasted talent ] . ” if we could watch the movie version of A your desire to play Sonny when A Bronx “ Throw‘em in the bathroom . ” “ Is it better to Bronx Tale , so we did and he loved it . Is it Tale wentfrom stage to screen ? beloved or feared ? ” There are so many . The meaningful to you to hear that the younger Well , writing it was a monumental task and moviehas worked its way into the dramatic generation is getting interested in your it took me 10 months . But then when I did languageof America , like The Godfatherdid . story ? it , my career just exploded . I was just an Just like , “ Leave the gun , take the cannoli . ” It’s the most meaningful thing of all . I can’t actor , and then , bam . You know the story : It’spart of life now . tell you how many times I’ve heard that exact Everybody wanted it but they didn’t want story . People mostly say they watched the me . They wanted somebody else to write A Bronx Tale led to a lot of opportunities movie with their son and [ tell me about ] the the screenplay , they just wanted my story . for you , including another classic movie , life lessons he learned . It’s amazing , just amaz - They offered me $ 250,000 and I said no , The Usual Suspects . Is that a movie that fans ing . Or they watched it with their daughter , and then $ 500,000 , and then $ 1 million . I bringup often to you as well ? and it’s the same thing : It’s [ a lesson ] about had $ 200 in the bank , and how I said no , I Ohyeah . That’s probably second , that or An - not wasting your life and how the choices don’t know . I’m just a very stubborn guy . I alyzeThis . Bullets Over Broadwaytoo , where you make will shape your life forever . believed in myself and I believed that I I got the Academy Award nomination . I’ve I have a podcast now , and they have all alwayshad a guardian angel on my shoulder . beenfortunate : Actors just want to be in one these analytics , and one of my very big audi - So I just refused , and then finally De Niro greatmovie , but I’ve been in a whole bunch ences is between 16 and 25 . [ Laughs ] And saw it , came backstage and said , “ You’ll be ofthem , so I’m very fortunate . I’m saying , “ They weren’t born when I made greatas Sonny . You write the screenplay , I’ll this film ! ” It’s really nice to see and I like it playyour father and I’ll direct it . ” And that’s What’scoming up next for you , other than very much . how it happened . It was pretty amazing . yourbusy schedule with the one - man show ? I just filmed the one - man show and I directed At the same time , the movie really resonates Likeyou said before , I think people love the it , so when that comes out I’ll be very excited . with people who grew up in a similar characters and relate them to their own Also , I’m on this series called Gravesendon neighborhood to yours . It seems to span lives.For example , we call one of my friends Amazon , and I might be coming back to generations . “ Mush ” because of how unlucky he is , just Godfatherof Harlem . There’s talk about that Oh my God , yes . It’s because the characters likethe character from A Bronx Tale . but it’s not definite . I’m writing two other are archetypes ; people can relate to it . The Ofcourse ! [ Laughs ] There’s a book called The plays for Broadway , which I’m very excited story was told so honestly when I wrote it , Moral Intelligence of Children , written by about , and I love doing my podcast . And I that other people went through exactly what I Robert Coles . He devoted a chapter to the really love doing the one - man show , and all went through and felt the same things that I movieA Bronx Tale , which is pretty amazing . people have to do is go to my Instagram or felt . It’s able to connect to them , and that’s I just happened to buy it many years ago go to ChazzPalminteri.net and the schedule what makes a story that lasts , like It’s a Wonderful when I had a son , and when I saw my movie is there . I’m going to be all over the United Life . … People can relate to these stories . in there , I couldn’t believe it . What he says States at a theater near you . People always about it is great . sayit’s on their bucket list to see it . I’m playing Similar scenarios to yours have happened my father , the little boy at 9 , the boy at 17 , throughout Hollywood history , with un - There are so many classic lines from the and then I’m playing Sonny and Mush and n known actors writing their own breakout movie.Which one gets repeated back to CoffeeCake and JoJo . SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 20 issue 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 19