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Max Casella
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Max Casella
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Max Casella (born Maximilian Deitch; June 6, 1967)[2] is an American actor. He is known for his roles on the television series Doogie Howser, M.D., The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl, Cro and the voice of Daxter in the Jak and Daxter video game series.[3]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Casella was born in Washington, D.C., the son of David Deitch, a newspaper columnist, and Doris Casella, a social worker. His father is Jewish and his mother is of Italian descent.[4][5][6] He grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where his classmates included Traci Bingham, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. Casella has growth hormone deficiency, which accounted for his ability to play characters much younger than his actual age.[7] His brother also shares the condition. He did not go through puberty until the age of 27 after medical intervention.[8] His physical changes caused him to gain weight and he was dropped by his agents. He then had to completely reinvent himself as an actor.[9]

Career

[edit]

Casella played Vincent "Vinnie" Delpino in the television series Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1989 to 1993 with Neil Patrick Harris.[10] In 1992, Casella played Racetrack Higgins in Newsies, which was based upon true events in the 1899 newsboys strike against Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. He appeared in WindRunner: A Spirited Journey, starring Margot Kidder and Russell Means as Jim Thorpe's ghost. In 1997, Casella played Timon in the original Broadway production of The Lion King; a performance for which he was awarded a Theatre World Award and received a Drama Desk Award nomination. From 2000 to 2001 he returned to Broadway as Marcellus Washburn in the revival of The Music Man. Casella portrayed Pvt. Dino Paparelli in Sgt. Bilko. He joined the cast of the HBO series The Sopranos during its third season, as Benny Fazio.[11] Casella also starred in Ed Wood and Analyze This. In 2007, Casella portrayed Dick Howser in the ESPN mini-series The Bronx is Burning. He also voiced Tip in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Zini in the CGI film Dinosaur and the titular character in ABC's Cro. In 2008, Casella played Mack Steiner in Leatherheads and Dennis, one of the main characters in Scaring the Fish. He also played Leo D'Alessio in season one of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Since 2022, Casella has portrayed Armand Truisi on the Paramount+ series Tulsa King.

Personal life

[edit]

Casella married Leona Robbins in 2002, and has two daughters, Mia and Gioia. They lived in New York City,[12] and they separated in 2018.[13]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Newsies Racetrack Higgins
1994 Ed Wood Paul Marco
1996 Sgt. Bilko Spc. Dino Paparelli
1997 Trial and Error Dr. Brown
1999 Analyze This Nicky Shivers
Freak Talks About Sex Freak's High School Friend
2000 The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea Tip (voice) Direct-to-video
Dinosaur Zini (voice)
2005 The Notorious Bettie Page Howie
2006 Bristol Boys Donny
2008 Leatherheads Max Steiner
Revolutionary Road Ed Small
2011 Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son Anthony Canetti
Somewhere Tonight Fred
2012 Killing Them Softly Barry Caprio
2013 Inside Llewyn Davis Pappi Corsicato
Blue Jasmine Eddie
The Last of Robin Hood Stanley Kubrick
Fading Gigolo Guy at Counter
Oldboy James Prestley
2015 Wild Card Osgood
Applesauce Les
Christmas Eve Randy
2016 Jackie Jack Valenti
Live by Night Digger Pescatore
2017 Wonder Wheel Ryan
2018 Night Comes On Mark
2019 Late Night Burditt
2020 The Rhythm Section Leon Giler
Paper Spiders Gary
2021 This Is the Night Police Officer Uncredited
The Tender Bar Chief
2022 Allswell in New York Tim
2024 Lake George Harout
TBA Special Delivery Man Short; post-production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1983 Don't Look Now! Max Deitch 3 episodes
1988 The Equalizer Streak Episode: "The Child Broker"
1989 Kate & Allie Mike Sheridan Episode: "Chip's Notes"
1989–1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. Vinnie Delpino 97 episodes
1993–1994 Cro Cro (voice) 20 episodes
1995 The Cosby Mysteries Simon Cosler Episode: "Comic Book Murder"
1995–1996 The Adventures of Hyperman Studd Puppy (voice) 13 episodes
1996 Hey Arnold! Tony B. / Philly D. (voices) Episodes: "Benchwarmer/Cool Jerk"
1998 Working Quinten McCracken Episode: "Greenery"
2001–2007 The Sopranos Benny Fazio 28 episodes
2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Nicky Episode: "Shandeh"
Courage the Cowardly Dog The Beaver (voice) Episode: "A Beaver's Tale"
2003 Queens Supreme Christopher Schiffer Episode: "Case by Case"
2007 The Bronx Is Burning Dick Howser 4 episodes
2009 Medium Joel Tiernan Episode: "Soul Survivor"
2010 Hawaii Five-0 Joey Episode: "Malama Ka Aina"
Boardwalk Empire Leo D'Alessio 7 episodes
2011 The Confession Eddie 2 episodes
2016 Vinyl Julian "Julie" Silver Main cast; 10 episodes
The Night Of Edgar Episode: "The Art of War"
Crisis in Six Scenes Barber Episode #1.1
2017–2022 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Michael Kessler 5 episodes
2017–2018 The Detour Joe Delicious 13 episodes
2018 Shades of Blue Capt. Daniel Pines 2 episodes
Ray Donovan Emerson Lake 6 episodes
2019 The Blacklist Henry Morris Episode: "Lady Luck (No. 69)"
2021 The Good Fight Danny Trumpet 2 episodes
2022 WeCrashed Detective Donny Episode: "Masha Masha Masha"
2022–2024 Tulsa King Armand Truisi Main role[14]
2023 Kaleidoscope Taco Episode: "Pink" (6 Months After the Heist)

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role
2001 Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Daxter
2003 Jak II
2004 Jak 3
2005 Jak X: Combat Racing
2006 Daxter Daxter, Hotelier
2007 Pain Daxter
2009 Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony Union Official
2011 PlayStation Move Heroes Daxter
2012 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Max Casella

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Max Casella (born Maximilian Deitch; June 6, 1967) is an American renowned for his versatile career spanning television, film, theater, and , often portraying characters with distinctive energy and humor. Born in , to David Deitch and Doris Casella, he was raised in the area, specifically , where a supportive drama teacher encouraged his early involvement in school plays and local professional theater. Diagnosed with pituitary as a , Casella underwent growth hormone treatments and did not experience until age 27, a condition that influenced his youthful on-screen persona throughout much of his early career. Casella began his professional acting career in the late 1980s, debuting on television as Vinnie Delpino, the best friend of the titular character on the ABC medical drama Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), a role that established him as a charismatic supporting player in family-oriented series. He achieved further prominence in the 2000s with a recurring role as the impulsive mobster Benny Fazio across five seasons of HBO's acclaimed crime drama (2002–2007), appearing in 28 episodes and earning praise for his portrayal of a volatile DiMeo associate. Additional television highlights include series regular roles as Julie Silver on HBO's Vinyl (2016), and voice work as the wisecracking ottsel Daxter in the video game franchise (2001–2009), alongside recurring appearances in (2010–2011), (2019–2023), (2013–2017), and his recurring role as Armand Truisi in (2022–present). In film, Casella has collaborated with notable directors, including in Ed Wood (1994) as a TV , in The Rainmaker (1997), and in Blue Jasmine (2013) and (2016 miniseries). He also starred as Racetrack Higgins in the musical Newsies (1992) and as the folk singer-like manager in the ' Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), marking his second project with Ethan Coen after the Broadway production Relatively Speaking (2011). Casella's theater work, particularly on Broadway, has been a cornerstone of his career, beginning with his 1992 off-Broadway debut before originating the role of the meerkat Timon in Disney's (1997), for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination and a Theatre World Award. Subsequent Broadway credits include Marcellus Washburn in a revival of (2000), and appearances in Ethan Coen's Relatively Speaking (2011). He has also performed in Shakespearean productions such as and at , directed by , and Samuel Beckett's Endgame at the , showcasing his range in classical and contemporary works. Beyond acting, Casella has contributed as a and director, including the The Confession (2005), and supports charitable causes like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Max Casella was born Maximilian Deitch on June 6, 1967, in , to David Deitch, a fiercely political and second-generation Jewish immigrant from , and Doris Casella, a social worker of Italian descent. He has a younger brother named Lorenzo, who also has . The family relocated to , shortly after his birth, where Casella grew up through his high school years in a shaped by his parents' New York roots. Family dynamics revolved around intellectual and political discussions, heavily influenced by his father's career as a newspaper columnist, fostering an environment rich in debate and cultural exposure through family records and radio. During his early childhood in , Casella experienced initial encouragement toward the through school activities, amid a backdrop of health challenges from a lifelong that delayed his until age 27.

Education and early interests

Casella attended during the 1980s. The public high school, known for its rigorous arts programs, provided an environment that nurtured his emerging interests in performance. Among his notable classmates at Cambridge Rindge and Latin were aspiring actors , who would later achieve international fame. A pivotal influence during his high school years was drama teacher John Speca, who ran a demanding theater program and actively encouraged Casella to engage in school productions. Speca's guidance extended beyond the classroom, prompting Casella to explore opportunities in local theater around . These early experiences in theater during his teenage years, including unpaid roles in Boston-area plays and shows, sparked Casella's enduring passion for without venturing into work at that stage. Participation in such activities helped him develop foundational skills in performance, setting the course for his future career while he was still a student.

Career

Early television and film roles (1980s–1990s)

Max Casella made his professional screen debut in a 1988 episode of the series , playing a small role as "Streak." That same year, he landed a breakthrough recurring role as Vincent "Vinnie" Delpino, the loyal best friend of the title character on the ABC medical drama , which he played from 1989 to 1993 across all four seasons. Despite being in his early 20s, Casella's youthful appearance allowed him to convincingly portray a teenager, establishing him as a versatile young in prime-time television and providing financial stability after years of struggling as an janitor. The role, opposite , offered Casella his first major exposure to a national audience and transformed his career overnight, enabling him to afford his own apartment and gain independence. In 1992, Casella took on a prominent supporting role as Racetrack Higgins, a street-smart newsboy and gambling enthusiast, in Disney's musical film , directed by and inspired by the 1899 New York newsboys' strike. He filmed the project during breaks from Doogie Howser, M.D., balancing the demands of both while contributing to the ensemble cast alongside ; the role boosted his visibility in family-oriented cinema and highlighted his ability to blend acting with in a high-profile Disney production. Throughout the mid-1990s, Casella continued building his resume with smaller parts, including , an actor in 's troupe, in Tim Burton's 1994 biographical comedy Ed Wood. He also ventured into as the titular Cro, an inventive boy adopted by Neanderthals, in the ABC animated educational series Cro (1993–1994), produced by Children's Television Workshop to teach science concepts to children. These roles solidified his range across live-action film and animation during his formative years in the industry.

Broadway breakthrough and television prominence (2000s)

Casella achieved his Broadway breakthrough with the original production of , originating the role of the wisecracking meerkat Timon opposite as Pumbaa. The musical, directed by , opened on November 13, 1997, at the and became a landmark production known for its innovative puppetry and African-inspired staging. His performance earned him the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut in 1998 and a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Following this success, Casella returned to Broadway in 2000 for the revival of The Music Man, taking on the role of Marcellus Washburn, the comic sidekick to con man Harold Hill (played by Craig Bierko). Directed by Susan Stroman, the production opened on April 27, 2000, at the Neil Simon Theatre and ran for 699 performances until December 30, 2001, revitalizing Meredith Willson's classic with high-energy choreography and period charm. Casella originated the role and performed it through April 8, 2001, showcasing his comedic timing in ensemble numbers like "Trouble" and "Shipoopi." Shifting focus to television, Casella joined the cast of HBO's The Sopranos in its third season as Benny Fazio, a hot-headed young soldier in the DiMeo crime family and nephew of underboss Paulie Gualtieri (Tony Sirico). Introduced in the 2001 episode "Fortunate Son," the character added youthful bravado and impulsiveness to the ensemble, participating in key plots such as crew infighting, romantic entanglements, and violent enforcements that highlighted the generational tensions within the mob. He appeared in 28 episodes across seasons 3 through 6, from 2001 to 2007, solidifying his presence in the series' acclaimed portrayal of organized crime dynamics. In 2005, amid his Sopranos commitments, Casella took on an role with limited performances in the Broadway adaptation of , directed by Adrian Noble and featuring his Sopranos co-star as Caractacus Potts. The family musical, based on the 1968 film, opened April 28, 2005, at the Hilton Theatre (now the ) and ran for 285 performances, blending whimsy with elaborate sets and songs like "Toot Sweets." This stint served as a transitional bridge between his stage roots and ongoing screen work.

Later television and film work (2010s–2020s)

In the 2010s, Casella continued to build on his reputation for portraying complex characters in ensemble-driven period dramas, beginning with his role as Leo D'Alessio in the first season of HBO's . As one of the D'Alessio brothers—a band of Philadelphia-based petty criminals attempting to muscle in on Atlantic City bootlegger Nucky Thompson's territory during —Casella's Leo embodies escalating violence, starting with small-time robberies and culminating in a failed attempt on Nucky that leads to the gang's capture and execution. The character's arc highlights the ruthless underbelly of , with the brothers' brutal tactics, including the murder of bystanders and henchmen, resulting in their graphic demise by drowning at the hands of Nucky's enforcers. This performance echoed Casella's earlier work as the impulsive mob associate Benny Fazio on , serving as a precursor to his subsequent portrayals of volatile figures in mob narratives. Casella's television career gained further momentum in 2016 as a series regular on HBO's Vinyl, created by , , and , with directing the pilot episode. He played Julian "Julie" Silver, the sharp-tongued head of A&R at the fictional American Century Records, navigating the chaotic 1970s New York amid rock 'n' roll excess, corporate intrigue, and personal betrayals. Silver's role as the loyal yet frustrated right-hand man to label executive Richie Finestra () allowed Casella to showcase comedic timing and dramatic depth in a story centered on the era's cultural shifts and cutthroat business dealings. From 2017 to 2023, Casella recurred as Michael Kessler on Amazon Prime's , providing grounded comedic support as Midge Maisel's () shrewd lawyer and an old acquaintance of her father Abe (). His character, a former activist turned legal advisor, aids Midge in navigating arrests and career obstacles in the 1950s-1960s New York comedy scene, blending humor with subtle commentary on changing social norms. Casella's portrayal added levity to the series' ensemble, appearing in key episodes involving Midge's legal troubles and family dynamics. In 2022, Casella joined the cast of Paramount+'s Tulsa King as Armand Truisi, a recurring role through 2025 in the crime drama starring Sylvester Stallone as aging mobster Dwight Manfredi. Truisi operates as an ambitious enforcer under the Invernizzi crime family in Oklahoma, clashing with Manfredi's crew in territorial disputes and power struggles that underscore themes of loyalty and betrayal in modern organized crime. The collaboration with Stallone highlighted Casella's ability to portray tense, streetwise antagonists in Stallone's fish-out-of-water narrative. Additional recent television work includes a guest role as Mickey Dowling in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2024). Casella's film work in this period featured notable supporting turns in acclaimed projects. In the Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), he played Pappi Corsicato, the sleazy manager of , interacting with the protagonist folk singer in a gritty depiction of 1960s . He appeared as , President Lyndon B. Johnson's special assistant, in Pablo Larraín's Jackie (2016), capturing the political maneuvering following John F. Kennedy's assassination. In George Clooney's The Tender Bar (2021), Casella portrayed Chief, a regular at the Dickens bar serving as a surrogate family hub for young . Most recently, in Jeffrey Reiner's indie thriller Lake George (2024), he played Harout, a menacing associate to a targeting a hitman and his mark in a tense Adirondacks standoff. Upcoming projects include the role of The Customer in Wooden Hearts (2025).

Theater career

Broadway roles

Max Casella made his Broadway debut originating the role of Timon in the original production of at the , beginning previews on October 31, 1997, and officially opening on November 13, 1997. His portrayal of the wisecracking combined sharp comedic timing with demanding physicality, as the character required scampering and expressive movements while operating a , drawing on Casella's background in energetic television roles to infuse the performance with humor and vitality. For this breakthrough, Casella earned the Theatre World Award in 1998, recognizing his outstanding debut, along with a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. He performed in the role through 1998, contributing to the musical's innovative blend of puppetry, music, and spectacle that has kept it running on Broadway to the present day. In 2000, Casella joined the revival of The Music Man at the Neil Simon Theatre, taking on the role of Marcellus Washburn from April 27, 2000, through the production's close on December 30, 2001. As Harold Hill's sly sidekick, he delivered a rakish charm in supporting the con man's schemes, navigating the show's high-energy dance sequences and vocal demands, particularly in numbers like "Shipoopi," which showcased his agile footwork and ensemble harmony. Casella's tenure in the revival, directed by Susan Stroman, highlighted his versatility in classic American musical theater, helping sustain the production's 698-performance run amid its nostalgic appeal and star-driven casting. In 2011, Casella appeared as a replacement in the role of in Ethan Coen's one-act play "," part of the comedy anthology Relatively Speaking at the Theatre, which ran from October 20, 2011, to January 29, 2012. Although not a full Broadway run, Casella starred as Leo Bloom in the first national tour of The Producers, launching in 2004 and playing major cities across the . In ' Tony-winning musical, he brought nuanced comedic timing to the timid accountant who partners with Max Bialystock in a scheme to produce a flop for profit, emphasizing Leo's neurotic energy through rapid-fire dialogue and physical gags that echoed the original Broadway production's satirical style. This tour role extended Casella's stage presence in Brooks' work, allowing him to refine his interpretive skills in a high-profile adaptation originally directed by .

Off-Broadway and regional productions

Casella began his stage career in regional theater during his teenage years in the area, where he appeared in a production of in 1981. This early exposure to classical works laid the foundation for his later pursuits in Shakespearean and experimental theater, as he balanced emerging television commitments with fringe and productions in New York throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In the mid-2000s, Casella demonstrated his range in dramatic roles with his portrayal of Raffaele, the superstitious doorman, in Eduardo De Filippo's Souls of (Questi Fantasmi!) at the on 42nd Street, an production directed by Roman Paska that ran from April to May 2005. The play, a translation of the Italian classic exploring postwar through ghostly apparitions, showcased Casella's ability to blend humor and in ensemble-driven narratives. Casella's affinity for experimental and absurdist theater emerged prominently in 2008 when he played Clov, the beleaguered servant, in Samuel Beckett's Endgame at the (BAM) Harvey Theater, directed by Andrei Belgrader. In this stark interpretation of existential isolation, opposite as Hamm, Casella's performance captured the character's simmering resentment and reluctant devotion, contributing to the production's critical acclaim for its minimalist intensity during its April-May run. The 2010s marked a deeper engagement with Shakespearean works off-Broadway. In 2011, Casella took on the role of Apemantus, the cynical philosopher, in the Public Theater's LAB Shakespeare production of , directed by , which ran from February to March and emphasized the play's themes of betrayal and misanthropy in a modern-dress setting. That same year, as a member of the , he starred as Jon Stone, a troubled playwright grappling with family trauma, in the world premiere of David Bar Katz's The Atmosphere of Memory at Bank Street Theater, directed by Pam MacKinnon and running from October to November. This intimate drama highlighted Casella's shift toward introspective, character-driven roles in contemporary American plays. Continuing his exploration of classical texts, Casella portrayed in Julie Taymor's visually inventive production of at Theatre for a New Audience in , which premiered in 2013 and later received a filmed adaptation in 2014. Reuniting with Taymor from their earlier collaboration, Casella's comedic transformation as the weaver-turned-ass brought physicality and to the fairy-tale chaos, earning praise for its inventive staging that incorporated puppets and audience interaction. Casella's Shakespearean work culminated in 2016 with his role as Thersites, the scurrilous Greek soldier, in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of at the in , directed by Daniel Sullivan and running through August. In this rarely staged satire, his profane and observant provided biting commentary on war's futility, underscoring Casella's versatility in delivering sharp wit amid ensemble tragedy. In 2021, Casella performed in multiple roles in the world premiere of Ethan Coen's A Play is a Poem, a collection of comedic one-acts, at the Atlantic Theater Company, directed by Neil Pepe and running from September 9 to October 3.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Casella married Leona Robbins in 2002. The couple welcomed two daughters, Mia and Gioia, and resided in , where Casella balanced family life with his theater and television commitments during the height of his career in the . Casella and Robbins separated after 16 years of marriage, maintaining a focus on co-parenting their daughters while keeping details private.

Health challenges

Max Casella was diagnosed with , specifically , during his childhood due to a malfunctioning that failed to produce adequate essential for normal development. This condition manifested in his school years as adolescent awkwardness, contributing to delayed physical growth and that did not occur naturally until he was 27 years old. In the late and early , during his mid-20s, Casella began treatment, which included to address his stunted development and testosterone injections to induce . The therapy significantly impacted his physical development, allowing him to achieve stature and secondary that had been absent, though he has noted continuing the growth hormone regimen for maintenance. In public interviews, Casella has openly discussed how the condition profoundly affected his self-image, describing the experience as "a horror show" and likening it to feeling like "a man trapped in a little boy's body," which led to body dysmorphia-like struggles. He has also reflected on its influence on his acting choices, noting that his shorter stature and youthful appearance suited roles portraying younger characters, such as prepubescent teens in his 20s, but complicated transitions to more mature parts later in his career. Post-treatment, Casella has reported no major ongoing health issues related to the deficiency, with the successfully resolving the primary effects of .

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Racetrack Higgins
1994
1994WindrunnerDenny LeBlanc
1996Dino Paparelli
1997The RainmakerJackie
1997Trial and ErrorDr. Brown
1999Nicky Shivers
1999Derek Mantini
2000O Brother, Where Art Thou?Mike Yip
2000The CrewYoung Joey 'Bats' Fazio
2005Nicky
2006Bristol BoysDonny
2008Mack Steiner
2008Ed Small
2011Big Mommas: Like Father, Like SonHal
2012Johnny Amato
2013Pappi Corsicato
2013Eddie
2013
2013Guy at Counter
2013OldboyJames Prestley
2016Jackie
2016Pasquale Contratti
2017Wonder WheelRich
2019IrvingCab driver
2020Ezra Shkolnik
2020Gary
2021The Tender BarChief
2022Tim
2024Lake GeorgeHarout
TBASpecial Delivery ManPost-production
2025Wooden HeartsThe CustomerUpcoming
Note: The list includes only feature films and excludes television, voice acting in non-feature films, and shorts unless major. Uncredited roles are included if documented.

Television

Max Casella's television career began in the late 1980s and has encompassed a wide range of roles in both network and cable series, often portraying street-smart or comedic characters in dramatic and ensemble contexts. His breakthrough came as a series regular in the ABC Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), where he played Vinnie Delpino, the best friend of the titular character, appearing in 96 episodes across four seasons until the series concluded. Following this, Casella made guest appearances in several 1990s series, including The Untouchables (1993) as Jr. in 1 episode, (1996) as Zeno in 1 episode, (1995) as Mario in 1 episode, and (1994) as Tony Baci in 1 episode. In the early 2000s, he gained prominence with a recurring role as the impulsive mobster Benny Fazio on HBO's The Sopranos (2001–2007), appearing in 28 episodes over four seasons, with his character becoming more central from season 4 onward until the series finale. Other guest spots during this period included Ed (2000) as Nick in 1 episode, Jonny Zero (2005) as Peter Stanhope in 1 episode, and Law & Order (2006) as Eddie Torres in 1 episode. He also appeared in Everybody Hates Chris (2006–2008) as Mr. Abu in a recurring capacity across 6 episodes. The 2010s saw Casella in several high-profile HBO and premium cable productions. He recurred as Leo D'Alessio in Boardwalk Empire (2010), appearing in 5 episodes during the first season. Guest roles included Bored to Death (2009) in 1 episode, Cashmere Mafia (2008) as Julius in 1 episode, Blue Bloods (2012) as Sonny Malevsky in 1 episode, The Michael J. Fox Show (2013) as Mike in 1 episode, and Nurse Jackie (2013) as Carlo in 1 episode. In Ray Donovan (2013–2017), he played Tommy in a recurring role across 4 episodes. Casella starred as series regular Dickie Duncan in the music industry drama Vinyl (2016), appearing in all 10 episodes of its single season before the show was canceled. That same year, he had a supporting role as Gus in Woody Allen's miniseries Crisis in Six Scenes (2016), across 6 episodes. Later in the decade, Casella guested on (2017) as Joe in 2 episodes and The Detour (2018) as Tony in 1 episode, and appeared as Jerry in 1 episode of (2018). From 2017 to 2023, he recurred as talent agent Mike Weissman in Amazon's , appearing in 5 episodes across seasons 1-3 until the series concluded. In recent years, Casella has continued with prominent recurring work. He plays Armand Truisi in Paramount+'s (2022–2024), appearing in 19 episodes across seasons 1 and 2; he did not appear in season 3 (2025). In the Netflix miniseries (2023), he portrayed Leo / Gil 'The Lion' Rogers across all 8 episodes. His most recent appearance was as Mickey Dowling in 1 episode of Law & Order: (2024).

Video games and voice acting

Max Casella began his voice acting career in the early 1990s with the lead role of the inventive Cro-Magnon boy Cro in the ABC animated series Cro, which aired from 1993 to 1994. In this prehistoric comedy, Casella provided the energetic voice for the titular character, who uses modern ingenuity to navigate life among a Neanderthal tribe. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Casella lent his distinctive, high-pitched delivery to several Disney animated projects. He voiced the flirtatious lemur Zini in the 2000 CGI film Dinosaur, where the character serves as comic relief during the dinosaurs' perilous journey. That same year, he voiced Tip, the anxious emperor penguin sidekick, in the direct-to-video sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. These roles showcased Casella's versatility in bringing humorous, animal-inspired characters to life, drawing on the vocal agility honed in his Broadway performances like Timon in The Lion King. Casella's most prominent voice work came in video games, particularly as the wisecracking ottsel Daxter in Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter franchise. He first voiced the character in Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001), reprising the role across the series, including Jak II (2003), Jak 3 (2004), Jak X: Combat Racing (2005), the spin-off Daxter (2006), and Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (2009). Daxter's sarcastic banter and loyalty to Jak became a hallmark of the platforming adventures, with Casella's performance earning praise for its energy and humor. He continued voicing Daxter in crossover titles like PlayStation Move Heroes (2011) and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (2012), extending the character's legacy into multiplayer arenas.

References

  1. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/max-casella/bio/3030443580/
  2. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7133-max-casella
  3. https://www.fandango.com/people/max-casella-105564/biography
  4. https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Max-Casella/
  5. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/max-casella-says-growth-hormones-235437297.html
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143295/
  7. https://www.atlantictheater.org/bio/max-casella/
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  9. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/casella-max-1967
  10. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/max-casella-35241.php
  11. https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/qa-inside-llewyn-davis-and-oldboys-max-casella-on-the-coens-spike-lee-woody-allen-and-surviving-the-sopranos-and-child-acting/
  12. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/max-casella-takes-the-70s_b_9434794
  13. https://people.com/health/max-casella-says-he-was-on-growth-hormones-and-didnt-hit-puberty-until-he-was-27-horror-show/
  14. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/max-casella/
  15. https://www.capenews.net/falmouth/news/retired-theater-teacher-coached-star-students/article_0d39b2a9-72d3-521d-9b7f-050e4f0ed443.html
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  17. https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/oscar-moment-for-high-school-teacher/73-343502164
  18. https://www.avclub.com/max-casella-on-boardwalk-empire-doogie-howser-and-hor-1798287565
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096569/characters/nm0143295
  20. https://people.com/tv/tulsa-king-max-casella-recalls-broke-days-before-doogie-howser-role/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104990/characters/nm0143295
  22. https://www.buzzfeed.com/jordanzakarin/newsies-max-casella-inside-llewyn-davis
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109707/characters/nm0143295
  24. https://playbill.com/production/the-lion-king-new-amsterdam-theatre-vault-0000008729
  25. https://playbill.com/person/max-casella-vault-0000063281
  26. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/max-casella-70801
  27. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-music-man-12495
  28. https://www.theatricalindex.com/show/the-music-man/the-music-man-bway-2000
  29. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/TheSopranosDiMeoCrimeFamily
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5788792/characters/nm0143295
  31. https://deadline.com/2022/03/tulsa-king-max-casella-domenick-lombardozzi-vincent-piazza-jay-cast-sylvester-stallone-paramount-plus-1234985490/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16358384/episodes?season=3
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2707408/characters/nm0143295
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2042568/characters/nm0143295
  35. https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/lake-george-review-1236224516/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29536384/
  37. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-lion-king-4761
  38. https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-lion-king-new-amsterdam-theater-1117339958/
  39. https://www.playbill.com/person/max-casella-vault-0000063281
  40. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/28/movies/theater-review-rogue-sells-horns-hope-is-free.html
  41. https://variety.com/2000/legit/reviews/the-music-man-5-1200461498/
  42. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/relatively-speaking-490498
  43. https://playbill.com/production/talking-cure-brooks-atkinson-theatre-vault-0000013848
  44. https://playbill.com/article/max-casella-didi-conn-aida-turturro-join-john-turturro-in-off-broadway-souls-of-naples-com-124441
  45. https://variety.com/2005/legit/markets-festivals/souls-of-naples-1200526501/
  46. https://playbill.com/article/photo-call-turturro-and-stritch-play-endgame-at-bam-com-149683
  47. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/theater/reviews/02endg.html
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/theater/reviews/02timon.html
  49. https://variety.com/2011/legit/reviews/the-atmosphere-of-memory-1117946470/
  50. https://tfana.org/productions/a-midsummer-nights-dream-2014
  51. https://newyorktheater.me/2013/11/02/a-midsummer-nights-dream-review-julie-taymor-returns-in-brooklyn/
  52. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/185122/corey-stoll-sanjit-de-silva-max-casella-set-for-shakespeare-in-the-parks-troilus-and-cressida-complete-cast-announced/
  53. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/theater/review-troilus-and-cressida-a-trojan-war-love-story.html
  54. https://www.atlantictheater.org/Productions/a-play-is-a-poem
  55. https://people.com/meet-the-real-life-partners-tulsa-king-cast-11812881
  56. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143295/bio/
  57. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/max-casella-didnt-hit-puberty-until-27-due-to-pituitary-dwarfism/
  58. https://pagesix.com/2022/11/11/max-casella-didnt-hit-puberty-until-age-27/
  59. https://www.businessinsider.com/max-casella-reached-puberty-at-27-due-to-hormone-deficiency-2022-11
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0252130/
  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0130623/characters/nm0143295
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240684/characters/nm0143295
  63. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Max-Casella/
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