Joseph Pilato(1949-2019)
- Actor
- Make-Up Department
Born in the Italian section of East Boston to a hardworking Italian
family (his father was professional trombonist with the Les Brown
Orchestra), Pilato admits that his flair for performing was discovered
quite by accident, when he became an alter boy. Still, it wasn't until
his college years that he took the big step towards honing his love for
performance into a craft. Unfortunately, once he got there, he realized that his only points of
reference for law were those found on television and film. He realized
quickly that he didn't want to be a lawyer, so much as he wanted to
PLAY a lawyer. Acting classes followed at Emerson College and Suffolk
University, in Boston, and soon he was on stage with such notable
troupes as Boston Repertory Theatre, Stage One Theatre Company and
Reality Theatre. Though the progression seems almost natural, he still
credits both religion and law as his main influences for taking the big
leap of faith. Savagely bitten by the acting bug, the fledgling actor
made his way to New York City, where he was an original member of the
Working Theatre, studying with such luminaries as Joe Chalkin, Kristin
Linklatter and Peter Kass. It was while in New York that he also began
his collaboration with Jersey Growtowski's Polish Laboratory Theatre.
In the late 70s, Pilato relocated to Pittsburgh, where he was a
resident actor with the Pittsburgh Public Theatre and the Three Rivers
Shakespeare Festival. He also picked up a few gigs as an acting coach
at local colleges. His career took an upswing when he became a member
of the Pittsburgh Film Family and consequently met the Godfather of
cult cinema, George A. Romero. As odd as it may seem for a theatrically
trained actor to pair up with a filmmaker of Romero's stature, the
match appeared to be a heavenly one. Pilato's first role, a small part
in 'Dawn Of The Dead' (as a police officer), led to yet another small
part in 'Knight Riders' (as a disgruntled fair worker), alongside Ed
Harris, followed closely by his signature role as Captain Rhodes in
'Day Of The Dead.' In fact, it's his memorable death scene that really
grabbed the attention of fans. Since that
auspicious "debut," Pilato's resume has grown over the years to include
roles in Ron Howard's 'Gung Ho,' Charlie Peter's 'Music From Another
Room,' and Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' (as Dean Martin), as well
as such cult fare as Bob Kurtzman's 'The Demolitionist' and
'Wishmaster,' 'Alienators,' 'The Ghouls,' 'Last Seduction' and Zebediah
de Soto's 'Wardog.' His voiceover work includes that of Metal Greymon
in the children's animated series, 'Digimon.' It's also a little known
fact that Pilato was in the original trailer for the low-budget version
of Tarantino's 'From Dusk Til Dawn,' where he can be seen wearing the
infamous black suit, white shirt, and black tie, which later became a
Tarantino trademark in such films as 'Reservoir Dogs' and the
afore-mentioned 'Pulp Fiction.' Even so, he's never forgotten the role
that made him famous and can often be seen at conventions, signing
autographs and talking to enthusiastic fans about his experiences on
the film. Ask him what his favorite roles to date
have been, however, and you may be surprised. Though Captain Rhodes
will always be near and dear to his heart, he waxes nostalgic about his
roles as a professional Christmas caroler at Gimbel's Department Store
in Pittsburgh, where he founded the Dickens Carolers, and as a stand-in
for Robert DeNiro in 'The Deer Hunter.'
