The one “degrading” thing Joe Pesci always hated about being an actor
Joe Pesci said the part of acting he found most demoralising was the casting process, which he described as “degrading”. His experience helps explain why he initially rejected a role in Raging Bull, despite Robert De Niro personally urging him to take it.
By 1979, Pesci had stepped away from show business and was working at a restaurant in the Bronx after years of career setbacks. He agreed to play Joey LaMotta only after screenwriter Paul Schrader expanded the character, giving Pesci a role he felt could demonstrate his ability. The performance helped restart his career, leading to later work with director Martin Scorsese and De Niro, including Goodfellas in 1990.
In short
- Pesci called acting’s casting process degrading.
- He initially turned down Raging Bull.
- A rewrite persuaded him to play Joey LaMotta.
Explained simply
Joe Pesci is an American actor who became known for playing tough, quick-tempered characters. Before Raging Bull, he had worked in film and television but had not established a steady acting career.
Raging Bull is a 1980 film directed by Martin Scorsese about boxer Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro. Pesci played Jake’s brother, Joey. The film brought Pesci back into acting and began a lasting working relationship with De Niro and Scorsese, which later included Goodfellas.