Michael Imperioli is no stranger to fictional depictions of the Mafia.
The actor has made a living playing all different sorts of characters in gangster-related shows and movies, from his Emmy Award-winning role as troubled Christopher Moltisanti on "The Sopranos" to the voice of the intimidating Frankie in DreamWorks Animation's "Shark Tale."
Imperioli's latest endeavor, "The Wannabe," revolves around the real life trial of John Gotti. He shares the screen in the Nick Sandow-directed film alongside fellow Hollywood veteran Patricia Arquette and up-and-coming actor Vincent Piazza, who portrays a man obsessed with mob culture trying to fix the jury in the 1992 trial of Gotti..
There are a lot of connections to Imperioli's past with the cast and crew of "The Wannabe." Notably, Martin Scorsese, who helped launch the actor's career, is an executive producer on the film.
Imperioli spoke about what it's like to reunite with the famed director last Friday at the premiere of "The Wannabe" at the Tribeca Film Festival.
"Marty's been an influence... always," Imperioli said. "He kind of put me on the map so I always have a soft spot in my heart for him."
Imperioli is of course referencing his small role as Spider in Scorsese's 1990 masterpiece "Goodfellas." Imperioli's portrayal of the quirky bartender put him on the map. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when he decides to mouth off to Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci).
Despite his history in mob movies, Imperioli said his role in "The Wannabe" is a change of pace.
"I don't really know about the issues with the mob (in the film)," he said. "I relate to it as an actor playing a specific role. I don't look at it as a genre."
Another connection to Imperioli's past works in "The Wannabe" is Doug E. Doug. The actor, who achevied mainstream fame for his role as Sanka Coffie in "Cool Runnings," last worked with Imperioli and Scorsese in "Shark Tale."
"It's a joy," Doug E. Doug said of working with the pair again. "I would've never thought that I would be someone considered in anything that they did. We met once on a gangster/parody cartoon so I thought 'Oh wow, that's the only chance I'll get to work with Scorsese.' To get an opportunity for them to create a role and have me fit in surprised me."
Doug E. Doug, who said he still gets recognized for "Cool Runnings" "all the time," does not have a long list of Mafia-related roles in his past like Imperioli. However, he is still a big fan of most gangster movies.
"Number one would be 'The Godfather,' then 'The Godfather: Part II,'" Doug E. Doug said of his favorites. "And then of course 'Goodfellas.' Every time I see it on cable I watch it again. I've actually worked with Ray Liotta a couple of times, so it's kind of weird to see him in that context because he's not really like that in real life."
Luckily for Doug E. Doug, he said Scorsese does not know he favors "The Godfather" over "Goodfellas."
