Max Casella

Max Casella is an American actor known for his work in theater, film, and television. Born in Washington D.C. in 1967, Casella grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and began his acting career in the late 1980s.

Casella's Broadway debut came in 1992 when he appeared in the original production of "The Lion King." He played the role of Timon, a meerkat who befriends the young lion Simba. Casella's performance was praised for its energy and humor, and he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.

Following his success in "The Lion King," Casella continued to work in theater. He appeared in the Broadway productions of "The Music Man" in 2000 and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in 2005. He also played the role of Leo Bloom in the national tour of "The Producers" in 2004.

In addition to his work on stage, Casella has had a successful career in film and television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Benny Fazio in the HBO series "The Sopranos." Benny was a member of the DiMeo crime family and worked as a driver for Tony Soprano. Casella's performance was praised for its intensity and complexity, and he appeared in 22 episodes of the series.

Casella has also appeared in a number of films, including "Ed Wood" (1994), "Newsies" (1992), and "Blue Jasmine" (2013). In "Ed Wood," he played the role of Paul Marco, an actor who appeared in a number of low-budget horror films directed by the titular character. The film was directed by Tim Burton and received critical acclaim.

Casella's work in television has also been notable. In addition to "The Sopranos," he has appeared in a number of popular series, including "Boardwalk Empire," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and "Ray Donovan." He also had a recurring role as Vinnie Delpino in the ABC series "Doogie Howser, M.D." from 1989 to 1993.

Casella has also worked in music. He played the role of Crutchie in the original Broadway production of "Newsies" in 1992. The musical, which tells the story of a group of newsboys who go on strike against their newspaper bosses, was a critical and commercial success. Casella's performance was praised for its heart and vulnerability.

In addition to his work as an actor, Casella is also a writer and director. He wrote and directed the short film "The Confession" in 2005, which starred his "Sopranos" co-star Michael Imperioli. The film tells the story of a man who confesses to a priest about a crime he committed as a child. It received critical acclaim and was screened at a number of film festivals.

Casella has also been involved in a number of charitable organizations. He is a supporter of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and has participated in a number of their fundraising events. He has also been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

In conclusion, Max Casella is a talented actor with a wide range of experience in theater, film, and television. His work in "The Lion King" and "Newsies" on Broadway was particularly notable, and his performance as Benny Fazio in "The Sopranos" was a highlight of his television career. In addition to his work as an actor, Casella is also a writer and director and has been involved in a number of charitable organizations.