Holmdel Native Cast in Clint Eastwood's Film Adaptation of Jersey Boys

Brooklyn-born. Holmdel-raised. Los Angeles-famous. Johnny Cannizzaro – remember his name. He discovered a passion for acting early in life and followed its call with amazing intensity. Today, that drive and desire to touch his audiences has brought him to a defining moment in his career. Cannizzaro was chosen for a supporting role in the film adaptation of the Broadway play, “Jersey Boys,” being directed by Oscar winning actor, director and producer Clint Eastwood.

With a strong background in the performing arts, Cannizzaro was well prepared for his role. “My first audition for ‘Jersey Boys’ was in November and I've been back four times since. The part I was offered wasn’t even one they had originally seen me for. I play Nick DeVito, brother of Tommy DeVito who is a founding member of the Four Seasons,” he said. Finding out he was cast in the film released some strong emotions. “My reaction was that of excitement and gratitude mixed with some anxiety knowing the legends involved. From Clint Eastwood to Frankie Valli to Christopher Walken, I could not be more excited to be a part of this.”

Cannizzaro, who is a 2001 graduate of Holmdel High School, recalls, “I always had an interest in performing. I liked the idea of playing other people. I think the passion for it grew the more I did it.” He joked that his breakout performances as a tree in “The Wizard of Oz” and a drunk in “Anything Goes” at Holmdel High School was when he knew that would be his career path. Cannizzaro has also performed for several theater companies, both locally and in Los Angeles.  He was in “West Side Story” and “Grease” at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank; “Into the Woods” with General Hospital’s Anthony Geary; and recently he originated roles in new musicals called “A Ring In Brooklyn” and “Wartime Romance.” He shared that many teachers and directors have influenced him along the way. “My Holmdel High School English teacher Marianne Maltese (Connelly), Holmdel High School Drama Director Joe Clores, Brookdale Community College Theater Director John Bukovec, and my Music teacher from Hazlet Sal Catapano are just a few from back home who were integral in guiding me on the path I currently pursue.”

The Cannizzaro family moved from Brooklyn, New York to Holmdel in 1988. Their three children, daughter Michelle and twin boys Johnny and Michael, attended Holmdel schools from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Michael said his brother was always an entertainer. Going back to their years at William R. Satz Middle School, Michael noted, “If you asked some of our classmates they would tell you that Johnny always had a magic trick for you if you wanted to see it. He used to carry around a deck of cards or a fake thumb, anything he could use to perform. He always loved entertaining people.  He would do karaoke competitions in high school where he would perform Frank Sinatra or some other popular rock songs. I remember one performance in particular where he actually climbed through the crowd at the Holmdel High School auditorium and everyone went wild.” Michael said his brother always embraced the character he was playing and continuously captured the attention of his audience.

Johnny explained what he and his brother have shared throughout their lives. “When we were very young, my brother and I used to pretend we were everything from pro wrestlers to mafia hitmen in our basement. Now, we couldn't be more different, but being twins, we still have a unique connection. He always helps me rehearse my lines before auditions, while on the phone from New Jersey. My whole family has been nothing but supportive which I think is an important ingredient to being successful in anything you do.”

Michael noted that his brother left for Los Angeles in September, 2005 with little money, no real plan, but holding tightly to the belief that this was where he needed to be to follow his dreams. “As Johnny's twin brother, I could not be more proud of his accomplishments thus far. I am always impressed with his acting because he has a passion for it like no one I’ve ever seen. It has not been easy for him by any stretch. He would only come home around Christmas for a couple weeks and all the other holidays he was out there by himself.  I will never forget the first Thanksgiving he was out there. There were no iPhones or Facetime yet and he was feeling a little homesick so he managed to find a web cam on Hollywood Boulevard where my family was able to at least see him from home in New Jersey, and he ate his turkey while he was on the phone with us.  It was kind of funny at the time.”

This once-struggling actor now trains several times a week at CM Studios with acting coach and director Max Decker while continuing to pursue a television and film career. He has a co-starring role on the series premier of the 1940s Gangster drama, “Mob City,” which is directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) and will air on TNT on December 4. Having worked in both film and television, Cannizzaro said, “I enjoy both. Film is somewhat uncharted waters for me. I might even prefer being on stage because you can experience a character’s journey from beginning to end as opposed to Film where you'll likely be shooting more than one take and out of sequence.”

Whether he performs on television, film or stage, his family loves to hear of his experiences, said his brother Michael. “Growing up, our parents John and Michelle always loved Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons so we were raised on that type of music. We both would listen to the oldies even before pop music, so to fast forward 20 years later and my brother having the opportunity to have a part in this movie, it is something we’re all looking forward to.”

Johnny Cannizzaro shared what it was like filming “Jersey Boys” and working with Clint Eastwood. “I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Eastwood in rehearsals and he was very kind and warm to all of us.  During my first day of shooting, it felt like a dream come true. I’d look up every few minutes to see him right in front of me or watching me in the monitor and had to ask myself – ‘is this really happening?’  He works very quickly and there is little time for mistakes. But so far it’s been a pleasure to work with the entire cast and crew. Getting to watch Clint Eastwood direct is an education in itself, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity!”

Visit www.johnnycannizzaro.com for more information and updates on the release date for “Jersey Boys,” which is tentatively scheduled for late 2014. The website offers details of the career path of Johnny Cannizzaro, a Jersey boy from Holmdel who is following his dream. Congratulations Johnny!