Joe Pesci is a bit of a unicorn in Hollywood. You probably know him as the guy who gets scary-mad in mob movies or the bumbling burglar who gets his head set on fire in Home Alone. But if you look at a full list of Joe Pesci movies, there is a weird, winding path that most people completely miss. He didn't just appear out of nowhere to win an Oscar. In fact, he actually quit the business entirely before he even got famous.
Imagine managing an Italian restaurant in the Bronx, thinking your acting dreams are dead, and then Robert De Niro calls you because he saw some obscure B-movie you did years ago. That’s the real Joe Pesci story.
The Roles That Defined an Era
When we talk about his filmography, you have to start with the Scorsese connection. It’s the backbone of his career. Without Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, we might never have known the high-pitched, rapid-fire intensity that Pesci brings to the screen.
- Raging Bull (1980): This was the big break. He played Joey LaMotta, the brother of boxer Jake LaMotta. He was so convincing that people actually thought he was just some guy Scorsese found on the street. He wasn't. He was a seasoned performer who had been on stage since he was five years old.
- Goodfellas (1990): This is the one. Tommy DeVito. "Funny how?" That entire scene was actually based on a real-life encounter Pesci had with a mobster while working as a waiter. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this, and his acceptance speech was only five words long: "It's my privilege. Thank you."
- Casino (1995): If Tommy DeVito was a firecracker, Nicky Santoro was a literal bomb. It’s a brutal, exhausting performance that cemented him as the go-to guy for "short man with a massive temper."
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how he could switch from being a terrifying psychopath to a federal witness with a "What-ever-you-want-Leo-gets" catchphrase in Lethal Weapon 2.
The Comedy Side Most People Forget
People pigeonhole him as a "tough guy," but his comedy chops are what actually paid the bills in the 90s. My Cousin Vinny (1992) is basically a masterclass in comedic timing. He plays Vinny Gambini, a Brooklyn lawyer who’s never tried a case, stuck in a small-town Alabama courtroom. It’s one of those movies you can watch a hundred times and still laugh at the "two yutes" bit.
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Then you have the Home Alone franchise. Playing Harry Lyme was a genius move. He brought a cartoonish villainy to the role that made the slapstick violence feel earned. It’s hard to think of another actor who could jump from a Scorsese crime epic to a family comedy in the same year (1990) and dominate both.
The Complete List of Joe Pesci Movies
If you're looking for a chronological rundown to binge-watch, here is the essential list. I've left out some of the uncredited cameos and tiny TV bits to focus on the meat of his work.
The Early Days and Breakout
- The Death Collector (1976) – His first real role.
- Raging Bull (1980) – The turning point.
- Dear Mr. Wonderful (1982) – A lead role in a smaller film.
- Easy Money (1983) – Starring alongside Rodney Dangerfield.
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – A small but pivotal role in a Sergio Leone masterpiece.
The Golden Era (1989–1998)
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- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) – Introduction of Leo Getz.
- Goodfellas (1990) – The Oscar winner.
- Home Alone (1990) – The holiday classic.
- Betsy's Wedding (1990) – A bit of a forgotten rom-com.
- JFK (1991) – He played David Ferrie, and honestly, those eyebrows were a performance on their own.
- The Super (1991) – A comedy where he plays a slumlord.
- My Cousin Vinny (1992) – A cult classic.
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) – Leo Getz returns.
- The Public Eye (1992) – A very underrated noir drama.
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) – More traps, more screaming.
- A Bronx Tale (1993) – A small cameo for his friend De Niro.
- With Honors (1994) – A rare sentimental role as a homeless man.
- Casino (1995) – Peak Scorsese/Pesci.
- 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997) – Dark comedy that didn't quite land with critics.
- Gone Fishin' (1997) – Reunited with Danny Glover, but definitely for the fans only.
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) – His last major role before "retiring."
The Return
- The Good Shepherd (2006) – A brief, chilling cameo.
- Love Ranch (2010) – Starring with Helen Mirren.
- The Irishman (2019) – This was the "quiet" Pesci. No screaming, just a terrifyingly calm authority.
- Day of the Fight (2023) – A late-career appearance that shows he's still got the touch.
Why the "Retirement" Mattered
In 1999, Pesci basically said "I'm done" and walked away to focus on music. He’s a singer at heart—recorded an album in 1968 called Little Joe Sure Can Sing! and another in 1998 under his My Cousin Vinny persona.
He didn't need the money. He didn't care about the fame. He stayed away for years, only coming back when the project was exactly right. This is why The Irishman was such a big deal. He reportedly turned down the role of Russell Bufalino dozens of times before finally agreeing. That role proved he didn't need to shout to be the most dangerous person in the room.
What You Should Watch First
If you’re new to the world of Pesci, don't just stick to the hits.
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- Start with Goodfellas. It is the definitive performance.
- Watch My Cousin Vinny. It shows his range like nothing else.
- Find The Public Eye. Most people haven't seen it, but it’s a brilliant 1940s-style thriller where he plays a tabloid photographer. It shows a much softer, more observant side of his acting.
Joe Pesci isn't just a "movie star." He’s a character actor who somehow became a leading man despite never looking like a traditional Hollywood heartthrob. He’s 5'4", he has a voice like a gravel pit, and he can make you laugh and fear for your life in the same scene.
If you're planning a movie marathon, start with his collaborations with Robert De Niro. Their chemistry is basically the gold standard for on-screen partnerships. You can actually track the evolution of their real-life friendship through the characters they play—from brothers in Raging Bull to rivals in Casino and eventually, the old-guard power dynamic in The Irishman.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Binge:
Check out the 1992 film The Public Eye if you want to see him carry a movie without relying on his usual "tough guy" tropes. It’s currently one of the most overlooked gems in the entire list of Joe Pesci movies. After that, look up his 2019 jazz album Pesci... Still Singing to hear the voice behind the actor.