Background:

“If there's a role I want, I'll go for it. I've always believed that if you're fully committed, there's nothing beyond your reach.” Vincent Spano

Vincent Spano is an American film, television and stage actor. He earned a Cable Ace nomination for his portrayal of  Mark Ciuni in “Il cugino americano” (1986). He is also known for his performance in the films “The Black Stallion Returns” (1983), “Rumble Fish” (1983), “Rouge Venise” (1989), “Oscar” (1991), “Alive” (1993), “Goosed” (1999) as well as in episodes of the TV series “Prince Street” (1997-2000, as Det. Alex Gage) and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2006-2009, as FBI Agent Dean Porter). He also has directed an episode of “Tales from the Crypt” (1994) and several short films.  

Spano was romantically linked to actress Laura Dern, whom he met on the set of the HBO film “Afterburn” (1992). They are no longer together.


Vinnie

Childhood and Family:

Vincent M. Spano was born on October 18, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York. He became interested in acting at a young age and started to pursue it professionally when he was 14 years old. The son of Italian and American parents, Vincent decided to leave his last name behind after his first agent felt the name Spano was 'too ethnic'. He then went under the pseudonym Vincent Stewart. However, at age 16, in regard for his Italian heritage, Vincent stopped using the stage name and has used Spano ever since.  Vincent Spano's nickname is Vinnie.


Il cugino americano

Career:

Vincent Spano launched his professional acting career at the age of 14 when he landed a part in a production of “The Shadow Box” (1976) at the Long Wharf Theatre, and later reprised his role on Broadway. Three years later, he made his film debut in the mystery/family flick “The Double McGuffin,” opposite Ernest Borgnine, George Kennedy and Elke Sommer. The same year, he hit the small screen as Jackie Peterson in the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow.” His first TV film role was as Dick in “Senior Trip” (CBS, 1981), starring Scott Baio.    

After appearing in “A Stranger Is Watching” (1982), a crime/horror film starring Kate Mulgrew, Rip Torn and James Naughton, Spano began his collaboration with director/writer John Sayles in “Baby It's You” (1983), where he starred opposite Rosanna Arquette, and offered a notable turn as a good-looking, young, Arabic rider named Raj in the adventure film “The Black Stallion Returns” (1983), which was adapted from the Walter Farley book of the same title. Still in 1983, he co-starred opposite Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane and Dennis Hopper on the Francis Ford Coppola film version of “Rumble Fish,” which received mixed reviews upon its initial release. Spano continued to appear in several films throughout the 1980s, such as Amos Poe's crime/drama “Alphabet City” (1984, with Michael Winslow and Kate Vernon), “Maria's Lover” (1984, with Nastassja Kinski and  John Savage),  Ivan Passer's “Creator” (1985, portrayed impressionable Boris Lafkin), the Italian film “Good Morning Babylon” (1987), which was written and directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani,“And God Created Woman” (1988, with Rebecca De Mornay and Frank Langella) and “High Frequency” (1988). In 1988, he was nominate for a CableACE Award for his performance as Mark Ciuni in “Il cugino americano” (1986). In 1989, he starred as Carlo Goldoni in Italian/French musical film “Rouge Venise.”

Opening the 1990s, Spano starred in in the independent film “Heart of the Deal” (1990), followed by a co-starring turn as Anthony Rossano in the Sylvester Stallone comedy/crime vehicle “Oscar” (1991), helmed by John Landis. He reunited with John Sayles for “City of Hope” (1991), where he played the role of Tony Lo Bianco's son, Nick Rinaldi. In 1993, the actor portrayed Antonio Berman in “Alive,” a biographical survival drama film based upon Piers Paul Read's 1974 book “Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors,” which details the story of a Uruguayan rugby team who were involved in the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, and teamed up with Alan Arkin, Matt Craven, Diane Lane, Bill Paxton, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Pollak and Sam Raimi for the Mike Binder comedy/drama film “Indian Summer.” After guest starring in “Tales from the Crypt” (1993), Spano returned to the HBO series in the following year when he made his TV directorial debut with the episode “In the Groove.” He would add the shorts “High Expectations,” “Tony & Bobby” (both 2002), “Betrunner “ (2004) and “Me and My Daddy” (2008) to his directing credits.

In 1997, Spano began his recurring role as Det. Alex Gage on the NBC police drama series “Prince Street,” a gig which he held until 2000. The same year, he also co-starred with Christopher Noth, Kevin Dillon and Martin Sheen in the ABC miniseries “Medusa's Child” and starred as Marc Demetrius in the mystery/thriller film “No Strings Attached.” He then appeared in such films as “The Christmas Path” (1998), starring Dee Wallace, Madylin Sweeten and Shia LaBeouf, “A Brooklyn State of Mind” (1998), where he starred opposite Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Bernard Salzmann's drama “The Unknown Cyclist” (1998), alongside Lea Thompson, and Danny Nucci, and the indie comedy “Goosed” (1999), helmed by Aleta Chappelle.

In the early 2000s, Spano could be seen in several TV films, like “The Deadly Look of Love” (opposite Jordan Ladd), “Jenifer,” “The Rats” and “Deathlands” as well as in two films, “Texas Rangers” and “Silence.” In 2004, he had a two episodic role as Dan Ralston on “North Shore.” Spano  continued to work in many other TV movies during 2005 to 2010, including “Landslide,”  where he was cast as a fireman trapped in a collapsed building with his son, “The Engagement Ring,” “Her Fatal Flaw,” “Pandemic,” “Lone Rider,” “Grave Misconduct” and “Caldo criminale.” In 2006, he landed a notable recurring role as FBI Agent Dean Porter on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” a role he played until 2009. The same year, he also appeared in an Italian TV series, “L'onore e il rispetto.” Spano kept on his presence on the wide screen by taking roles on film projects as “Nevermore” (2007), “A Modern Twain Story: The Prince and the Pauper” (2007) and “Fatal Secrets” (2009).

In 2011, Spano starred as Mauro Malaspina in the Italian TV series “Sangue caldo,” and also made a guest appearance in “House M.D.,”  playing Tommy.

Recently, in 2012, Spano voiced the English version of Virgil in the animated short “Dante's Inferno Animated.”


Awards:

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