Joe Lisi

Joe Lisi is an American actor born on September 9, 1950, in New York City, where he was also raised. His father was Sicilian, with roots in Giarre, Sicily, and his mother was of Irish descent. He is sometimes credited under the name Joe Lissi.

Before pursuing a career in entertainment, Lisi spent 24 years serving with the New York Police Department, retiring at the rank of captain. In 1969, while already employed by the department, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal. He took his first acting lesson at age 29 and later studied theatre at HB Studio in New York City.

Lisi made his Broadway debut at age 52 in Take Me Out in 2003, a production that went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play. He has also appeared in film and television across a range of roles. On the NBC drama Third Watch, he portrayed NYPD Lieutenant Swersky from 2000 to 2005, and on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit he played Craig Lennon, a parole officer. He is also recognized for his role as Dick Barone in The Sopranos. Earlier in his screen career, he appeared in the 1995 comedy-crime film The Jerky Boys: The Movie as a construction worker.