Stephen Spinella (born October 11, 1956) is an American stage, television, and film actor.

Early life

Spinella was born in

Naples Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...

, Italy, to a father who was an American naval airplane mechanic. He grew up in

Glendale, Arizona Glendale () is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, located approximately northwest of Downtown Phoenix. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it had a population of 248,325. History In the la ...

, and graduated from the

University of Arizona The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a public land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it was the first university in the Arizona Territory. T ...

with a degree in drama. He also attended

NYU New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, the ...

's Tisch School of the Arts' Graduate Acting Program, graduating in 1982. Spinella won consecutive Tony awards for Best Featured Actor and Best Actor in a Play for his performance as Prior Walter in '' Angels in America: Millennium Approaches'' (1993) and '' Angels in America: Perestroika'' (1994) respectively. He was also nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for ''

James Joyce's The Dead ''James Joyce's The Dead'' is a Broadway musical by Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey based upon James Joyce's short story " The Dead". Productions The musical was originally presented Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, starting on October 1, ...

''.

Personal life

Spinella is

openly gay Coming out of the closet, often shortened to coming out, is a metaphor used to describe LGBT people's self-disclosure of their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity. Framed and debated as a privacy issue, coming out of ...

Work

Stage

* April 1985: '' A Bright Room Called Day'' – Baz (workshop production directed by

Tony Kushner Anthony Robert Kushner (born July 16, 1956) is an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. Lauded for his work on stage he's most known for his seminal work ''Angels in America'' which earned a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. At the turn ...

) * May 4, 1993 – December 4, 1994: '' Angels in America: Millennium Approaches'' – Prior Walter/Man in Park * November 23, 1993 – December 4, 1994: '' Angels in America: Perestroika'' – Prior Walter * February 14, 1995 – September 17, 1995: ''

Love! Valour! Compassion! ''Love! Valour! Compassion!'' is a play by Terrence McNally. The play opened Off-Broadway in 1994 and transferred to Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in pr ...

'' – Perry Sellars * December 14, 1997 – August 30, 1998: ''

A View from the Bridge ''A View from the Bridge'' is a play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It was first staged on September 29, 1955, as a one-act verse drama with ''A Memory of Two Mondays'' at the Coronet Theatre on Broadway. The run was unsuccessful, and M ...

'' – Alfieri * December 3, 1998 – March 21, 1999: ''

Electra Electra (; grc, Ήλέκτρα) is one of the most popular mythological characters in tragedies.Evans (1970), p. 79 She is the main character in two Greek tragedies, '' Electra'' by Sophocles and '' Electra'' by Euripides. She is also the centra ...

'' – Servant to Orestes * January 11, 2000 – April 16, 2000: ''

'' – Freddy Malins * December 4, 2002 – January 26, 2003: ''

Our Town ''Our Town'' is a 1938 metatheatrical three-act play by American playwright Thornton Wilder which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 throug ...

'' – Simon Stimson * December 10, 2006 – 2007: '' Spring Awakening'' – Adult Men * May 15, 2009 – June 28, 2009: ''

The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures ''The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures'' is a 2009 play by American playwright Tony Kushner. The title was inspired by George Bernard Shaw's ''The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Ca ...

'' – Pill * October 19, 2010 – November 7, 2010: ''An Iliad'' – The Poet * December 2, 2012 – December 23, 2012: ''

Volpone ''Volpone'' (, Italian for "sly fox") is a comedy play by English playwright Ben Jonson first produced in 1605–1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-perform ...

'' – Volpone * April 21, 2014 – May 4, 2014: ''The Velocity of Autumn'' – Chris * April 17, 2018 – July 22, 2018: ''

Angels in America ''Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes'' is a two-part play by American playwright Tony Kushner. The work won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the Drama Desk Award for O ...

'' – Roy M. Cohn * March 20, 2019 – present: ''

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' is a play written by Jack Thorne from an original story by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Thorne. Previews of the play began at the Palace Theatre, London, on 7 June 2016 as a two-part play, and it prem ...

'' – Vernon Dursley/

Severus Snape Severus Snape is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter'' series. He is an exceptionally skilled wizard whose sarcastic, controlled exterior conceals deep emotions and anguish. A Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft ...

Lord Voldemort Lord Voldemort ( , in the films) is a sobriquet for Tom Marvolo Riddle, a character and the main antagonist in J. K. Rowling's series of ''Harry Potter'' novels. The character first appeared in ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' ...

Film

* 1995: ''

Virtuosity ''Virtuosity'' is a 1995 American science fiction action film directed by Brett Leonard and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Howard W. Koch Jr. served as an executive producer for the film. The film was released in the United Sta ...

'' as Dr. Darrel Lindenmeyer * 1995: ''

Tarantella () is a group of various southern Italian folk dances originating in the regions of Calabria, Campania and Puglia. It is characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in time (sometimes or ), accompanied by tambourines. It is among the mo ...

'' as Frank * 1996: '' Faithful'' as Young Man at Rolls * 1997: '' The Jackal'' as Douglas * 1997: ''David Searching'' as Hummus Guy * 1997: ''

'' as Perry Sellars * 1998: ''The Unknown Cyclist'' as Doug Stein * 1998: ''

Great Expectations ''Great Expectations'' is the thirteenth novel by Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. It depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip (Great Expectations), Pip (the book is a ''bildungsroman''; a coming-of-age story). It ...

'' as Carter Macleish * 1998: ''Out of the Past'' as Michael Wigglesworth (voice of) * 1999: ''

Cradle Will Rock ''Cradle Will Rock'' is a 1999 American historical drama film written, produced and directed by Tim Robbins. The story fictionalizes the true events that surrounded the development of the 1937 musical ''The Cradle Will Rock'' by Marc Blitzstein; ...

'' as Donald O'Hara * 1999: '' Ravenous'' as Knox * 2001: '' Bubble Boy'' as Chicken Man * 2004: ''

House of D ''House of D'' is a 2004 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by David Duchovny as his directorial debut. The film stars Duchovny, Anton Yelchin, Téa Leoni, Erykah Badu, Frank Langella, Zelda Williams, and Robin Williams. It was screened at th ...

'' as Ticket Seller * 2004: ''

Connie and Carla ''Connie and Carla'' is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Michael Lembeck and starring Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, and David Duchovny. The screenplay was written by Vardalos. The film was shot in Vancouver and featured a number of local dr ...

'' as Robert/Peaches * 2007: '' And Then Came Love'' as Stuart * 2008: ''Stone & Ed'' as Concierge * 2008: ''

Milk Milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digestion, digest solid food. Immune factors and immune ...

'' as Rick Stokes * 2010: ''

Rubber Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...

'' as Lieutenant Chad * 2012: ''

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincol ...

'' as Congressman Asa Vintner Litton * 2012: ''

House of Dust ''House of Dust'' is a 2014 supernatural thriller film directed by A.D. Calvo. The movie had its world premiere on May 20, 2014 and focuses on a group of college students that become possessed by the ghosts of former mental patients. Filming ...

'' as Psychiatrist * 2018: ''

Can You Ever Forgive Me? ''Can You Ever Forgive Me?'' is a 2018 American biographical film directed by Marielle Heller and with a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, based on the 2008 confessional memoir of the same name by Lee Israel. Melissa McCarthy stars ...

'' as Paul * 2019: ''

Windows on the World Windows on the World was a complex of dining, meeting, and entertainment venues on the top floors (106th and 107th) of the North Tower (Building One) of the original World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan. It included a restaurant called ...

'' as Albert * 2019: '' Bad Education'' as Thomas "Tom" Tuggiero

Television

* 1993: ''

And the Band Played On ''And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic'' is a 1987 book by ''San Francisco Chronicle'' journalist Randy Shilts. The book chronicles the discovery and spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immun ...

'' as Brandy Alexander * 1997: ''

What the Deaf Man Heard ''What the Deaf Man Heard'' is a 1997 '' Hallmark Hall of Fame'' television movie that aired on CBS television on November 23, 1997. It concerns Sammy, a man who pretends to be deaf and mute, when in reality he can hear and speak perfectly wel ...

'' as Percy * 2000: ''

Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...

'' as Andy Polone * 2001: ''

The Education of Max Bickford ''The Education of Max Bickford'' is an American drama television series that aired Sundays at 8:00 pm (EST) on CBS from September 23, 2001, to June 2, 2002, during the 2001–02 television season. After a strong initial launch, the show's audie ...

'' as Rex Pinsker * 2002: ''

Alias Alias may refer to: * Pseudonym * Pen name * Nickname Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film * ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006 * ''Alias the ...

'' as Mr. Kishell; Boyd Harkin * 2002: '' Ed'' as Bob McCarthy * 2003: ''

Frasier ''Frasier'' () is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for 11 seasons. It premiered on September 16, 1993, and ended on May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey (screenwriter), Peter Case ...

'' as Randall Schoonover * 2004: '' Huff'' as Mr. Heard * 2005: ''

Will & Grace ''Will & Grace'' is an American television sitcom created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Set in New York City, the show focuses on the friendship between best friends Will Truman (Eric McCormack), a gay lawyer, and Grace Adler (Debra Messing), ...

'' as Bret * 2005: ''

Without a Trace ''Without a Trace'' is an American police procedural drama television series created by Hank Steinberg that aired on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009 with the total of seven seasons and 160 episodes. The series focuses the cases of ...

'' as Joel Kemper * 2006: ''

Everwood ''Everwood'' (known as ''Our New Life in Everwood'' in the United Kingdom) is an American drama television series created by Greg Berlanti. Berlanti, Mickey Liddell, Rina Mimoun, Andrew A. Ackerman and Michael Green served as executive produce ...

'' as Father Patrick * 2006: '' 24'' as

Miles Papazian The following is a list of characters in the American serial drama television series '' 24'', '' 24: Live Another Day'', and '' 24: Legacy'' by season and event. The list first names the actor, followed by the character. Some characters have their ...

, 10 episodes * 2006: ''

Heroes Heroes or Héroes may refer to: * Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good Film * ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama * ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film Gaming * ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...

'' as Oliver Dennison * 2006: ''

Grey's Anatomy ''Grey's Anatomy'' is an American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into se ...

'' as Malar Pascowitz * 2007: ''

Nip/Tuck ''Nip/Tuck'' is an American medical drama television series created by Ryan Murphy that aired on FX in the United States from July 22, 2003, to March 3, 2010. The series, which also incorporates elements of crime drama, black comedy, family dra ...

'' as Dr. Capler * 2008: ''

Desperate Housewives ''Desperate Housewives'' is an American comedy-drama soap opera television series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Marc Cherry, Cherry Productions. It aired for eight seasons on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from Octobe ...

'' as Dr. Heller **" You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" (5x01) **" What More Do I Need?" (5x07) **" City on Fire" (5x08) **" Everybody Says Don't" (5x23) * 2008:

The Mentalist ''The Mentalist'' is an American drama television series that ran from September 23, 2008, until February 18, 2015, broadcasting 151 episodes over seven seasons, on CBS. Created by Bruno Heller, who was also its executive producer, the show fol ...

(Season 2x19) as ADA Marc Odenthal * 2009: ''

Big Love ''Big Love'' is an American drama television series that aired on HBO from March 12, 2006 to March 20, 2011. It stars Bill Paxton as the patriarch of a fundamentalist Mormon family in contemporary Utah that practices polygamy, with Jeanne Tripp ...

'' as Eric (Season 3, Episode 4) * 2014: ''

The Normal Heart ''The Normal Heart'' is a largely autobiographical play by Larry Kramer. It focuses on the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay founder of a promi ...

'' as Sanford * 2015: ''

The Knick ''The Knick'' is an American medical period drama television series on Cinemax created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The series follows Dr. John W. Thackery (Clive Owen) and the staff at a fictionalized vers ...

'' as A.D. Elkins * 2018: ''

Elementary Elementary may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * ''Elementary'' (Cindy Morgan album), 2001 * ''Elementary'' (The End album), 2007 * ''Elementary'', a Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin album, 1977 Other uses in arts, entertainment, an ...

'' (Season 6, Episode 10) Professor Merrick Hausmann * 2019: ''

Tales of the City ''Tales of the City'' is a series of nine novels written by American author Armistead Maupin from 1978 to 2014, depicting the life of a group of friends in San Francisco, many of whom are LGBT. The stories from ''Tales'' were originally serial ...

'' (episode: "The Price of Oil") as Chris * 2019: ''

The Blacklist ''The Blacklist'' is an American crime thriller television series that premiered on NBC on September 23, 2013. The show follows Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader), a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal who voluntarily sur ...

'' (Season 6, Episode 9: Minister D) as Jordan Loving

References

External links

* * *
Stephen Spinella
Downstage Center XM radio interview by the

American Theatre Wing The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short) is a New York City–based non-profit organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre", according to its mission statement. Originally known as the Stage Women's War Relief ...

, December 2006 * Stephen Spinella interviewed i
Performance
Working in the Theatre seminar video by the

, September 1993 {{DEFAULTSORT:Spinella, Stephen 1956 births Living people American male film actors American male musical theatre actors American male television actors American people of Italian descent Male actors from Arizona Drama Desk Award winners American gay actors People from Glendale, Arizona Tony Award winners University of Arizona alumni Tisch School of the Arts alumni 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors LGBT people from Arizona