Why Director Gallo From Red Notice Looks So Familiar
Odds are that most people tuning into "Red Notice" already know exactly where they have seen the film's headliners, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot before. The stars of "The Fast and the Furious," "Deadpool," and "Wonder Woman," respectively, are some of the most recognizable modern Hollywood stars, but, of course, there are more than just three actors in the new Netflix movie.
One of the other actors appearing in "Red Notice" is Italian actor Vincenzo Amato. Amato certainly doesn't get nearly the same level of screen time as the three leads of the film, but he makes a short appearance as the director of an art museum in Rome. Viewers may or may not realize it, but Amato has probably graced their screens at some before. The 55-year-old actor has made a variety of appearances in film and television over the course of his 26-year career (via IMDb).
He was a Versace spokesman in American Crime Story
The second season of FX's "American Crime Story" centers on the murder of Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) by Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss). Though the series makes use of a non-linear timeline in order to tell the complete story of the events before and after the murder, the crime takes place in the first episode of the season and this is where audiences are introduced to Vincenzo Amato's brief role in the Ryan Murphy series.
After the murder, Donatella (Penélope Cruz) and the Versace family members are understandably heartbroken at the loss of Gianni, but they are also forced to confront the many stories being spread about the fashion designer in the aftermath of his death. In order to avoid the plethora of questions and camera flashes awaiting them outside the estate, the family opts to send a spokesperson outside to make a short statement in front of a lectern filled with microphones.
This spokesperson is played by Vincenzo Amato, who only appears to tell the media, "The family thanks all those who have paid their respects and mark their grief with silence. This is a heinous and inexplicable crime. Neither Gianni Versace nor any of his family knew or had any contact with a suspect known as Andrew Cunanan." The unnamed spokesperson then thanks the media and takes no questions before re-entering the home.
He played Marcus Caligiuri in The Blacklist
Vincenzo Amato also appears in a 2016 episode of NBC's "The Blacklist" as a dangerous criminal with a history of bad encounters with the show's main character, Raymond Reddington (James Spader). Amato's character, Marcus Caligiuri, presides over the Shell Island Retreat, a meeting composed of various leaders of the Bratva, Yakuza, and other deadly criminal organizations. In fact, Reddington even dubs him the "de-facto master of ceremonies" at the inglorious gathering.
Before the meeting, Marcus kidnaps an FBI asset who confirms for the rest of the group that Red has been working with the FBI. Red vociferously denies the allegations, despite the fact that they are completely true. Red further states that Marcus has held a personal grudge against him ever since "the incident at that awful karaoke bar in Mombasa." After convincing his fellow criminals that he is not selling them out to the FBI, Red stabs Marcus and whispers to him that he is the informant, after all. He also asks him to tell their friends in Hell to be patient, before adding, "I'll be along soon enough."
He was in Unbroken and its sequel
The 2014 film "Unbroken" tells the true story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell). Set during World War II, Zamperini is taken captive by Japanese forces and is held as a prisoner of war for two years. During his time in captivity, Zamperini is tortured as a result of his considerable fame as an Olympian.
Vincenzo Amato appears in the movie as Anthony Zamperini, Louis' father. Though the film is primarily set during the younger Zamperini's time as a POW, it features a number of flashbacks to his childhood and the beginnings of his career as a star athlete. Amato doesn't have many scenes in the movie, but he appears early in a scene where he is forced to discipline his child and later as a supporter of his son's athletic efforts. He also appears at the end of the movie to welcome his son home after he is released by the Japanese.
Amato reprised his role in the 2018 sequel, "Unbroken: Path to Redemption," in which Samuel Hunt took over the role of Louis Zamperini.