Al Cardone is a 3rd generation performer from a family that has so far produced 5 generations on stage. Born February 9, 1958, to Margie and Maestro Umberto Al Cardone (Godfather 1 & 2, Mean Streets) he began performing as an 11-year-old drummer in his father’s band. He continued playing drums in some of the most successful bands in the New York area, mainly “New York featuring Skeets Williams” (1978-2005).
He continued playing in his Dad’s Italian shows until 1990, with uncle Pasquale Cajano (“Casino”, “Analyze This”) and another showbiz uncle, Vincent Gardenia. Also, a performer on those show was his aunt, Mimi Cecchini (“Wise Guys”, “Cadillac Man”) who got Al background work in her movies. During that time he also performed behind “The Drifters”, “The Coasters”, Tony Orlando, Lou Monte, “The Shirelles” and even Soupy Sales.
Being the dad of actress Talia Cardone, he got the acting bug while watching her perform in local theater groups. in 2009, he began acting in those groups himself to inspire his son, pianist Albert Cardone, to do the same. This also resulted in his Granddaughter Elizabeth, joining in on the fun.
Been doing it ever since.
FMM: Take us back about your family being in the business.
My Dad, Maestro Umberto Al Cardone, was well known in the New York City metropolitan area for almost 50 years, mostly in the Italian community as a famous musician playing alto sax and Eb clarinet. He produced thousands of shows that included his dad Giuseppe on clarinet, my older brother Joe and myself, employing hundreds of players, appeared in many movies including The Godfather and The Godfather part 2, giving me my first experience as a 15-year-old extra as a feast kid.
FMM: What did you enjoy the most about performing?
I became a drummer at age 7, simply because the family needed a drummer. At age 11, I began performing professionally with my dad’s orchestra, playing at many venues and even parades. I didn’t know any better. Since birth, I thought everybody played an instrument. I guess what I enjoyed most was the family tradition, performing with my Dad, my brother Joe, then later sharing stages with my daughter Talia, son Albert and granddaughter Elizabeth. Also, I have a sister, Maria, who is an award-winning pianist.
FMM: When did you get the acting bug?
Never thought about acting much until I saw my daughter Talia, a graduate of The LaGuardia HS of Performing Arts, in a play at The Times Square Theater in New York City. She blew me away with her talent. For many years she was part of a local acting group, The Staten island Academy of Performing Arts, that my son and granddaughter also were cast members in productions that eventually I was added when another actor dropped out in 2007. I continued performing with them until 2016. In 2017, my wife saw an add looking for Italian looking actors, sent my photo in without telling me, and two weeks later I found myself on the set of “The Irishman” with Martin Scorsese. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to work in over two dozen projects including some speaking parts.
FMM: You’ve played unscrupulous characters including an Albanian Thug in Law & Order OC (2022), and a Human Trafficker, NBCU Law & Order: SVU
(2022). Describe your acting style.
Well, not sure I even have an acting style, even when reading a script or a table read, but something does happen to me after wardrobe is done. That’s when I become a different person. In the end, the director creates my acting style, but I do my best to give them as many variations as I can depending on the characters I’m trying to portray.
FMM: What roles do you see yourself in?
At this stage, I’m just grateful to get cast in anything other people think I could fill. Once I read the script, I absorb many different angles how I think the character can be played, convey them to the director and off we go!!
FMM: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
I’m currently shooting “The Return of The Fisherman” as Uncle Tony and will be filming “One Foot On The Floor” as Sarge in July. Also working backround on “Eric” for Netflix which should wrap by the end of May.