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IMDbPro

Robert Davi

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 5,00058
Robert Davi
Watch Paper Empire Trailer - Season 1
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Paper Empire (2023– )
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Robert Davi is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer and jazz vocalist.

From his portrayal of the opera singing baddie in "The Goonies" and one of the most popular James Bond villains Franz Sanchez in "Licence to Kill" to FBI Special Agent Big Johnson in" Die Hard" or Al Torres in "Showgirls" to most recently Leo Marks in "The Iceman " Robert Davi is one of the film industry's most recognized tough guys . He has also starred in the small screen in hit shows like Profiler, Stargate Atlantis, Criminal Minds and CSI . With over 140 film and TV credits he has frightened us , romanced us ,made us cry or split our seams laughing . He is also one of the top vocalists of our day in interpreting the Great American Songbook, thrilling audiences by playing top venues like the Venetian in Las Vegas where he headlines or for 10,000 people at the Harry Chapin Theater in East Meadow ,Long Island or the Orleans in Vegas where he gave 3 sellout shows with Don Rickles. His debut album Davi Sings Sinatra- On the Road to Romance produced by Phil Ramone shot to number 6 for more than several weeks on Billboard's Jazz Charts.

In his early acting years, Davi attended Hofstra University on a drama scholarship. He then moved to Manhattan, New York where he studied with the legendary acting coach Stella Adler, who became his mentor. Davi became a lifetime member of the Actors Studio, where he studied with acting teacher Lee Strasberg. Always perfecting his craft, Davi studied under Sandra Seacat, Larry Moss, Milton Katselas, Martin Landau, Mala Powers and George Shdanoff, the creative partner and collaborator with Michael Chekhov.

Robert Davi was born in Astoria, Queens, to Maria (Rulli) and Sal Davi. His father was an Italian immigrant and his mother was of Italian descent. Davi was introduced to film when he was cast opposite Frank Sinatra in the telefilm, "Contract on Cherry Street." Later, his work as a Palestinian terrorist in the award-winning television movie, "Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami" brought him critical acclaim and caught the eye of legendary James Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli and writer Richard Maibaum, who cast Davi as Colombian drug lord and lead villain Franz Sanchez in the Bond film "Licence to Kill." Today, Davi is one of the top Bond villains of all time ranking at the top on many lists. Davi also received critical acclaim within the industry for his provocative portrayal of Bailey Malone in "Profiler." The show struck a chord with audiences, paving the way for such shows as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Without a Trace," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Criminal Minds" and many others. In 2004, Davi joined the cast of television's "Stargate: Atlantis," which earned Davi many science fiction fans. He has also shown his comedic strength in films such as "The 4th Tenor" with Rodney Dangerfield and "The Hot Chick," produced by Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler.

Having appeared in more than 100 motion pictures, some of Davi's most notable film credits span 30 years and include cult-classics and blockbuster hits with roles as Jake Fratelli in "The Goonies," Max Keller in "Raw Deal," Special Agent Big Johnson in "Die Hard," Al Torres in "Showgirls," Leo Marks in "The Iceman" with Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans and James Franco, and most recently, with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger among a large A-list cast in "Expendables 3." He has worked with such directors as Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner, Blake Edwards, John McTiernan, Paul Verhoeven and Patrick Hughes. In addition, he has worked on film projects with acting talent such as Marlon Brando, Roberto Benigni, Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood, Christopher Walken, Benicio Del Toro, Danny Glover and Catherine Zeta Jones, to name a few.

In 2007, Davi produced, directed, co-wrote, and starred in "The Dukes," which tells the story of a once-successful Doo Wop group who fall on hard times. The film won nine awards including the coveted Coup de Coeur award. Davi was also awarded Best First-time Director and Best Screenplay in the Monte Carlo Festival of Comedy by the legendary director Ettore Scola where Prince Albert presented him with the awards. Davi was the only first-time director in the Premiere Section of the International Rome Film Festival along with Sean Penn, Robert Redford, Sidney Lumet, Julie Taymor and others.

In October of 2011, Davi released his debut album, Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance (produced by Grammy award-winning producer Phil Ramone) to rave reviews. Within weeks of its highly anticipated release, the album soared onto Billboard Magazine's Top 10 Jazz Chart taking the number 6 spot for several weeks. In response to the release, the legendary Quincy Jones stated, "As FS would say, 'Koo, Koo.' Wow! I have never heard anyone come this close to Sinatra's sound - and still be himself. Many try, but Robert Davi has the voice, tone, the flavor and the swagger. What a surprise. He absolutely touched me down to my soul and brought back the essence and soul of Ol' Blue Eyes himself." In support of the album release, Davi is touring the U.S. with his live stage show, receiving standing ovations. He has performed at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas for a three-night engagement, the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza with a 55-piece orchestra, the National Italian-American Foundation's (NIAF) special tribute to the 25th anniversary of its Lifetime Achievement Award to Frank Sinatra at the Washington Hilton in D.C., the Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif., with David Foster at the Beverly Hilton, and in August of 2013, at Long Island's Eisenhower Park for more than 10,000 people. In November of 2013, Davi released the Christmas single, "New York City Christmas."

Besides working in film, television, and music and raising his five children, four dogs and two cats, Davi keeps busy volunteering his time with such charities as The Dream Foundation, Exceptional Children's Foundation, Heart of a Child Foundation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Youth Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, Heart of a Horse, NIAF, The Order 'Sons of Italy' in America (OSIA), and UNICO . Since its inception in 1998, Davi has been the National Spokesperson for i-Safe America, which is regarded by many internet experts as the most complete internet safety program in the country and is available in grades K-12 in all 50 U.S. states.

Among his numerous awards for career achievement and community involvement, Davi has received the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award from the Hofstra University Alumni Association (past recipients include Francis Ford Coppola and William Safire). In 2000, Davi was awarded the FBI's Man of the Year Award in Los Angeles. In 2004, Davi was named KNX radios' "Citizen of the Week" for saving a young girl from a fire in her home. The same year, he also received the Sons of Italy's Royal Court of the Golden Lion Award, including a $20,000 donation to a foundation in which he is involved. In addition, he received the 2004 STEP Award (Science, Technology and Education Partnership). In 2007, Davi was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Board of Governors in New York, where New York State recognized his value as an artist and community leader. In 2008, he received the Italo-Americano Award from the Capri-Hollywood Festival. In 2011, Davi was awarded the "Military Order of the Purple Heart" (MOPH) Special Recognition Award for dedication and service honoring America's service members, veterans, and their families. In June of 2013, Davi was honored with a star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

Davi is on The Steering Committee for George Washington University's Homeland Security Policy Institute and is the only entertainer among 28 members, which consists of mainly Senators and former heads of the FBI and CIA. Davi has developed Civilian Patrol 93, which is at Homeland Security, where a lesson plan is being written.
BornJune 26, 1951
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BornJune 26, 1951
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 5,00058
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  • Awards

Photos214

Robert Davi and Franco Nero in The Man Who Drew God (2022)
Robert Davi in The Optimist (1983)
Robert Davi and Enn Reitel in The Optimist (1983)
Robert Davi and Enn Reitel in The Optimist (1983)
Robert Davi and Enn Reitel in The Optimist (1983)
Robert Davi in The Optimist (1983)
Robert Davi and Benicio Del Toro in Licence to Kill (1989)
Robert Davi in Profiler (1996)
Robert Davi in Profiler (1996)
Robert Davi in Profiler (1996)
Robert Davi in Profiler (1996)
Robert Davi in Profiler (1996)

Known for

Bruce Willis and Hart Bochner in Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard
8.2
  • Big Johnson
  • 1988
Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, and Ke Huy Quan in The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies
7.7
  • Jake
  • 1985
Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto, and Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill (1989)
Licence to Kill
6.6
  • Franz Sanchez
  • 1989
Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Glen Powell, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, and Victor Ortiz in The Expendables 3 (2014)
The Expendables 3
6.1
  • Goran Vata
  • 2014

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Born Into a Dream
    • Post-production
  • Paper Empire
    • Post-production
  • The Goonies 2
    • In Development
  • A Silent Order
    • Pre-production
  • Spring Break '83
    • Completed
  • Buckle Up
    • In Production
  • Reagan
    • Post-production
  • The Gemini Lounge
    • Completed
  • Under the Dark
    • Post-production
  • The Lurking Fear
    • Post-production
  • Franco Nero in The Man Who Drew God (2022)
    The Man Who Drew God
  • Dark Angels: The Demon Pit (2022)
    Dark Angels: The Demon Pit
  • Robert Davi, Aurelien Despland, Yannick Willener, Cédric Chabloz, Jean-Daniel Schneider, Elo Cinquanta, Cedric Magnin, Julien Dumont, and Kennocha Baud in 8 Marvels of the World (2021)
    8 Marvels of the World
  • Night of the Falling Stars (2021)
    Night of the Falling Stars
  • Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope in A Deadly Deed (2021)
    A Deadly Deed
  • Four Cousins and A Christmas (2021)
    Four Cousins and A Christmas
  • I Love Us (2021)
    I Love Us
  • Robert Davi in 8 Winds (2021)
    8 Winds
  • Robert Davi, Cédric Chabloz, Jean-Daniel Schneider, Elo Cinquanta, Julien Dumont, and Kennocha Baud in Moon Race (2021)
    Moon Race
  • David Arquette, Robert Davi, Ashley Greene, and Greg Finley in Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story (2020)
    Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story
  • Pistolera (2020)
    Pistolera
  • Snoop Dogg, Chase Masterson, Tim Russ, and Garrett Wang in Unbelievable!!!!! (2020)
    Unbelievable!!!!!
    • (voice)
  • Megan Park, Whitmer Thomas, and Mickey Gooch Jr. in Deported (2020)
    Deported
  • Mott Haven (2020)
    Mott Haven
  • Mob Town (2019)
    Mob Town

Producer

  • Paper Empire
    • Post-production
  • Davi's Way (2016)
    Davi's Way
  • Lost Time (2014)
    Lost Time
  • Magic (2010)
    Magic
  • Paul Logan and CB Ferrari in Ballistica (2009)
    Ballistica
  • The Dukes (2007)
    The Dukes
  • Carol Alt, Robert Davi, Joey DePinto, Costas Mandylor, and Louis Mandylor in Hitters (2002)
    Hitters

Director

  • Laurence Fox, John James, and Gina Carano in My Son Hunter (2022)
    My Son Hunter
  • Magic (2010)
    Magic
  • The Dukes (2007)
    The Dukes

Videos50

The Dukes
Clip 1:09
The Dukes
Trailer
Trailer 2:06
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 1:43
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:26
Official Trailer
Paper Empire Trailer - Season 1
Trailer 2:52
Paper Empire Trailer - Season 1
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:20
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:44
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:57
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:50
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:38
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:47
Official Trailer
U.S. Version
Trailer 2:56
U.S. Version

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Cameo
    • Facebook
    • June 26, 1951
    • Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • August 19, 1990 - present (filed for divorce, 4 children)
  • Other works
    Music video: Appeared in The Jonas Brothers video "Burnin' Up"
  • Publicity listings
    • 3 Interviews
    • 7 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Met his wife-to-be Christine Bolster in 1989 when he invited friend Mickey Rourke over to his home for some karaoke fun. Rourke, who was dating the fashion model at the time, introduced her to Davi, and he vowed to Rourke that he would marry her one day. Bolster later received an invitation from Davi to join him on a pictorial spread he was doing for GQ Magazine. He proposed to her during the shoot and they married soon after.
  • Quotes
    [on George W. Bush and the "war on terrorism"] We have to protect America. And I think that, thank God we have this administration and this president.
    • Pockmarked cheeks (acne scars).

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