Robert Davi

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Robert John Davi (born June 26, 1951)[1] is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker.[2] Over the course of his acting career, Davi has performed in more than 130 films. Among his most known roles are opera-singing Jake Fratelli in The Goonies (1985), FBI Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard (1988), James Bond villain Franz Sanchez in Licence to Kill (1989), police deputy chief Phil Heinemann in Predator 2 (1990) and strip club manager Al Torres in Showgirls (1995). On television, he portrayed FBI Special Agent Bailey Malone in the NBC television series Profiler (1996–2000).

Classically trained as a singer, Davi launched his professional singing career in 2011.[1][3] His first album, Davi Sings Sinatra – On the Road to Romance, hit No. 6 on the Billboard jazz charts. Praised for his strong baritone voice and vocal interpretations, Davi debuted as a headliner at The Venetian Las Vegas, six months after the record was released.[4]

In 2016, Davi replaced Jerry Doyle as radio host for a nationally syndicated radio program on Talk Radio Network.[5]

Early life

Robert Davi was born on June 26, 1951,[6] in Astoria, Queens, New York, the son of Maria (Template:Née) and Sal Davi.[1] His mother was an Italian American whose family came from Nusco, Avellino, Campania, and his grandfather and father were from Torretta, Palermo, Sicily.[7] His grandfather, Franco, enlisted in the US Army after emigrating and served in World War I. He received an Oak Leaf Cluster for his services.[8]

Davi spoke Italian during his childhood.[1] He attended Seton Hall, a Roman Catholic high school in Patchogue, New York.[1] There he studied opera vocals, and became the winner of the New York State School Music Association Solo Competition at the age of fifteen.[9] He has two sisters, Yvonne Davi (deceased), and Michelle Queal. He graduated from Hofstra University, which he attended because of that university's strong drama department as well as its reproduction of Shakespeare's Globe Theater.[10] Davi studied with acting coach Stella Adler when he moved to Manhattan.[11] During this time he was also a member of the Actor’s Studio,[12] where he studied with Lee Strasburg.[6]

Career

Acting

File:Robert Davi.png
Davi in a 1983 episode of The Optimist

Davi made his television film debut in Contract on Cherry Street, in which he shared the screen with Frank Sinatra. Davi later mentioned Sinatra as an early supporter.[13] He was also the lead in "Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami", a performance that received critical praise. In 1989, he had a recurring role on the television series Wiseguy.[6]

As for major motion pictures, he has appeared in films including The Goonies, where his role of Jake Fratelli was based upon Davi’s own artistic ideas differing from the original script.[14] He also starred in Predator 2, Illicit Behavior, Night Trap, The Iceman, Mob Town, Buckle Up, Inside Man,[15] Die Hard, Showgirls, Son of the Pink Panther, and in the Bond film Licence to Kill (1989) as the villain Franz Sanchez, a South American drug lord and murderer.[16] During the 1990s, he played the role of FBI detective Bailey Malone on the television series Profiler. He also starred in comedic films, including the 2002 movies The 4th Tenor and The Hot Chick. The year he also produced and was lead actor in the independent film The Hitters.[6] In 2004, Davi was cast as the antagonist Acastus Kolya in the television series Stargate: Atlantis, a military leader for the enemy group the Genii.[17]

In 2014, Davi appeared as Goran Vata in The Expendables 3.[18] In 2015, Davi appeared in a music video for Bob Dylan's recording of "The Night They Called It a Day", from Dylan's album Shadows in the Night, a selection of songs which had been recorded by Frank Sinatra. Rolling Stone suggested that Davi's role in the video may be a nod towards Davi's having made his acting debut alongside Sinatra in the crime film Contract on Cherry Street, and Davi's release of his own album of Sinatra covers.[19] In 2014 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Long Island Film and TV Foundation.[20]

In 2015, he interpreted Gabriele Tinti's poetry giving voice to the Boxer at Rest at the Getty Museum.[21] As of 2021, he had acted in more than 160 films and television shows.[22]

Directing

File:RobertDaviStephenDorffMichaelShannonTIFFSept2012.jpg
Davi with Stephen Dorff and Michael Shannon at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival

Davi is the owner and founder of Sun Lion Films.[6]In 2007, Davi made his directorial debut with The Dukes, a parable regarding the mid-2000 economic crisis and its impact. The film starred Davi himself, Chazz Palminteri, and Peter Bogdanovich. The Dukes was selected for the premiere section at the Rome Film Festival, along with films by Francis Ford Coppola, Sean Penn, Robert Redford, and Sidney Lumet. Davi was the only first-time director in the premiere section.[23] The film was screened internationally and won awards at Queens International Film Festival, Template:Interlanguage link, Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festiva and the Festival international du film de comédie de l'Alpe d'Huez.[24]Template:Better source needed In 2011, David sold an original screenplay entitled The Voice to Atmosphere Entertainment MM. The production company said of Davi’s anticipated role in the film that “The character that he will portray is so impassioned and obsessed with finding the secret to Sinatra’s voice that it brings him to the brink of insanity.” [25] In 2017, a documentary entitled Davi’s Way, about Davi’s real life performance of Sinatra’s work, was premiered at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival.[26] Davi directed his third film, My Son Hunter, it was released on September 7, 2022.[27] He was approached in 2021 to direct the film by documentary filmmakers Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, which focuses on the relationship between Hunter Biden and his father.[28]

Recording

File:RobertDaviLive2013.jpg
Davi in 2013

In high school, Davi was praised for his singing, and auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera after being awarded first place at the New York State School Music Association's Solo Competition, where he sang Vincent Youman's "Without A Song". He subsequently received classical training with vocal teachers Samuel Margolis and Danial Ferro of Juilliard and Tito Gobbi. Davi damaged his voice and later explained that he was a baritone with the "heart of a tenor and had pushed too hard, too early".[29]

Davi began to focus again on singing in 2011, and worked with Gary Catona as he prepared to record his first children's album.[30]

With a thirty-piece orchestra, Davi recorded the album at the Capitol Records Building in Hollywood.[31] The album was produced by Phil Ramone, engineered by Dan Wallin, and mixed by Al Schmitt. The album, Davi Sings Sinatra -- On The Road To Romance, was released on October 24, 2011, and garnered positive reviews.[32] Jazztimes called Davi Sings Sinatra "uniformly impressive",[33] and critic Don Heckman wrote in the Orange County Register that "there are, of course, dozens of Sinatra imitators and simulators. But what Davi does is a whole different matter. A tribute? Yes, indeed; all that and more."[34] AllMusic noted that "Davi makes no attempt to copy Sinatra's vocal sound ... Rather, he is his own singer."[35] The album reached the Top 10 on the Billboard jazz charts.[9]

In December 2012, Davi appeared along with Roger Cicero in the French/German Arte TV program Durch die Nacht mit … The episode was shot in the Little Italy area of New York City and featured conversation between Cicero and Davi and solos of Sinatra standards by both performers. In December 2013, Davi released a Christmas single, "Mistletoe and Holly", with all proceeds benefiting The Salvation Army.[30]

That year he performed tribute concert series for Frank Sinatra at the Venetian Showroom in Las Vegas.[13] During his Sinatra performances, which he has toured with, he has a selection of 300 songs to choose from depending on the audience and mood in the room. [14] He has been called one of the premiere Frank Sinatra cover acts in the United States, with the Huffington Post calling him “A legend in the making” in 2013. [36]

Davi has lent his voice to political ads, including Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep" attack ad, "Hot Air: The Movie", and others produced by media consultant Fred Davis.[37]

Davi was chosen by the United Nations to celebrate the Transformative Power of Music at the General Assembly in New York, in June 2015 – and again for the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the UN in September 2015.[38]

Davi was chosen to tribute Sinatra's 100th birthday for the July 4 PBS special; it was watched by 500,000 people outside the Capitol Building in DC and 15 million viewers.[38]

Davi was the guest singer on the Italian version of the TV program The Voice.[38]

In 2024, he will be releasing his album I’m Not Anyone.[14]

Personal life

Davi was married to Jan Borenstein from 1970 to 1980. His second marriage was to Jeri McBride from 1980 to 1990; they had one son. His next marriage was to Christine Bolster in 1990, which ended in 2019.[39][40][41] They have four children together.[39][40] Davi married Diana Davi in 2019, and they have a daughter.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". He is a recipient of the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award from the Hofstra University Alumni Association, has served on the Steering Committee for George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, and is a past recipient of the Man of the Year Award from the Los Angeles FBI.[42]

Political views

Davi is a political conservative, often speaking at Republican Party gatherings.[43] He has been invited to comment on numerous political shows and backed John McCain during his presidential campaign. He narrated several film montages that aired during the 2008 Republican National Convention.[44][45] Davi has spoken at numerous Conservative Political Action Conferences in Washington, D.C. He was a frequent guest on Fox News's late-night satire program Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld.[46] Davi endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, again in 2020, and again in 2024.[47]

He has issued statements supporting fellow conservative celebrities, including Jon Voight, as well as statements advocating civility between those of different political views. [48]

Philanthropy

Davi has been active in various children’s non-profits.[6] He is also a goodwill ambassador for the Saint Pio Foundation.[49]

Awards and honors

For his contributions to the Canadian Italian community, Davi was enshrined in Toronto's Italian Walk of Fame in 2013.[50]

He was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Al Torres in Showgirls (1995).Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1984 City Heat Nino
1985 The Goonies Jake Fratelli
1986 Raw Deal Max Keller
1987 Wild Thing "Chopper"
1988 Action Jackson Tony Moretti
Die Hard FBI Special Agent Johnson
Traxx Aldo Palucci
1989 Licence to Kill Franz Sanchez
1990 Peacemaker Sergeant Frank Ramos
Deceptions Jack "Harley" Kessler
Maniac Cop 2 Detective Sean McKinney
Predator 2 Deputy Chief Phil Heinemann
Amazon Dan
1991 White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd Charlie "Lucky" Luciano
The Taking of Beverly Hills Robert Masterson
Legal Tender Fix Cleary
Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue "Sully" Sullivan
1992 Christopher Columbus: The Discovery Martín Alonso Pinzón
Center of the Web Richard Morgan
Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence Detective Sean McKinney
1993 Night Trap Detective Mike Turner
Son of the Pink Panther Hans Zarba
1994 No Contest Sergeant Crane
Cops and Robbersons Horace Osborn
1995 Delta of Venus The Collector
Showgirls Al Torres
Cyber Vengeance R.D. Crowley
1996 An Occasional Hell State Trooper Abbott
1997 The Bad Pack McQue
2001 Soulkeeper Mallion
2002 The Sorcerer's Apprentice Merlin, Milner
The 4th Tenor Lerra
The Hot Chick Stan, April's Dad
Hitters Nick Also producer
2003 One Last Ride Father
2004 Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss Ivan Nagy
2005 In the Mix "Fish"
2007 The Dukes Danny Also directorial debut, screenwriter and producer
2008 An American Carol Aziz
American Summer Himself
2009 The Butcher Murdoch
Ballistica Macarthur Also executive producer
2010 Magic Man Simpson
Game of Death Frank Smith
Magic David Ortero Also director and producer
2011 Kill the Irishman Ray Ferritto
Swamp Shark Sheriff Watson
2012 The Iceman Leo Merks Based on Anthony Gaggi
2013 Doonby Sheriff Woodley
Blood of Redemption Hayden
2014 Black Rose Captain Frank Dalano
A Long Way Off Frank
The Expendables 3 Goran Vata
Lost Time Xavier Reed Also executive producer
2015 Sicilian Vampire Salvatore "Big Sal"
2016 Criminal Admiral Lance Uncredited
2018 Bachelor Lions Maurice
2019 Mob Town Vito Genovese
2020 Roe v. Wade William J. Brennan Jr.
2022 The Man Who Drew God Lawyer
My Son Hunter — Director
2023 Inside Man Anthony 'Nino' Gaggi
The Engineer Senator David Adler
2024 Bardejov Refuel Lowy
Reagan Leonid Brezhnev
TBA Bad News on the Doorstep Post-production[51]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Contract on Cherry Street Mickey Sinardos, Greek Hijacker TV movie
1978 Charlie's Angels Ritchie Episode: "Mother Angel"
1979 From Here to Eternity Guard TV miniseries
The Legend of the Golden Gun William Quantrill TV movie
Lou Grant Hector Episode: "Hector"
The Incredible Hulk Rader Episode: "The Slam"
Barnaby Jones Pete Cerilla Episode: "False Witness"
Trapper John, M.D. Officer Ed Buxton Episode: "Licensed to Kill"
1980 Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story Hubbard TV movie
1981 Dynasty Amos Episode: "The Honeymoon"
Shannon Mel Episode: "Gotham Swansong"
The Gangster Chronicles Vito Genovese TV miniseries
1982 St. Elsewhere Parick 2 episodes
T. J. Hooker Joe 'The Barber' Picartus, Tom Warfield 2 episodes
The Powers of Matthew Star Zealotta Episode: "The Italian Caper"
Hill Street Blues Stan Mizell Episode: "Stan the Man"
1983 The Optimist The Cabbie Episode: "Burning Rubber"
1983–1984 The Fall Guy Scar De Bond, Dan Kowal 2 episodes
1984 Hart to Hart Tony Bairos Episode: "Always, Elizabeth"
The A-Team Boyle Episode: "Sheriffs of Rivertown"
1985 Hunter Sonny Dunbar Episode: "Million Dollar Misunderstanding"
1986 The Equalizer Michael Riegert Episode: "Wash Up"
1988 L.A. Law Dominic Simonetti Episode: "Leapin' Lizards"
1989 Wiseguy Albert Cerrico 5 episodes
1993 FBI: The Untold Stories Joe Pistone 2 episodes
1994 Blind Justice Alacran TV movie
1995 VR.5 Simon Buchanan Episode: "Simon's Choice"
1996–2000 Profiler FBI Agent Bailey Malone 84 episodes
1999 Batman Beyond Dr. Mike Morgan / Magma Voice, episode: "Heroes"
1999–2000 The Pretender Agent Bailey Malone 2 episodes
2004 Karen Sisco Denton Episode: "No One's Girl"
2004–2008 Stargate: Atlantis Acastus Kolya 6 episodes
2005 Breaking Vegas The Narrator 4 episodes
2006 Huff Dickins Episode: "Which Lip Is the Cervical Lip?"
2010 Nip/Tuck Christian's Dad Episode: "Christian Troy II"
Criminal Minds Detective Kurzbard 2 episodes
2014 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Marvin Braxton Episode: "Uninvited"
Asteroid vs. Earth General Masterson TV movie
2015 Hell's Kitchen Himself Reality TV series
2021–2022 Paper Empire Lawrence Fintch 11 episodes

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez [52]
Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows General Zondag
2004 Halo 2 Rtas 'Vadumee
2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Alejandro Sosa
2007 Halo 3 Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum [52]
2021 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Colonel Juan Carcia Cortez Archival recordings
Remaster of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City only

Music videos

Year Title Role
2008 "Burnin' Up" Jonas Brothers
2015 "The Night We Called It a Day" Bob Dylan
"Sopra la media" J-Ax

References

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  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links

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