Jay Acovone

Biography

Jay Acovone, born on August 20, 1955, in New York City, New York, is a prolific American actor widely recognized for his ability to portray authoritative characters, ranging from police and military figures to lawyers, businessmen, and even villains and mob bosses. His extensive career spans over four decades, encompassing a vast array of television shows, films, and even video games.

Early Life and Training:

Acovone's family later moved to Mahopac, New York, where he graduated from Mahopac High School. Though an avid movie fan, his path to acting was sparked by a friend's encouragement to participate in a play. This led him to pursue formal training at prestigious institutions including The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and The Howard Fine Acting Studio.

Career Breakthroughs and Notable Roles:

Acovone's professional acting career began in the early 1980s. A significant early role came in 1980 when he appeared opposite Al Pacino in the film Cruising, directed by William Friedkin. He then spent several years working in daytime television in New York before moving to Los Angeles.

His career gained momentum with key roles in television, including:

District Attorney Joe Maxwell in Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990): This role as a series regular over three seasons brought him significant recognition.

Major Charles Kawalsky in Stargate SG-1 (1997-2005): Acovone had a popular recurring role in this science fiction series, appearing in multiple episodes across eight seasons, often portraying alternate versions of his character.

Beyond these prominent roles, Acovone has made over 155 television appearances, guest-starring or recurring in many popular series such as:

NCIS

CSI (including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: NY)

The Mentalist

Monk

The X-Files

24

NYPD Blue

How I Met Your Mother

Criminal Minds

Charmed

Law & Order

Star Trek: The Next Generation (episode "The High Ground")

ER

Grey's Anatomy

On the film side, Acovone has over 60 credits to his name. His filmography includes appearances in:

Independence Day (1996)

Cast Away (2000)

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Out for Justice (1991)

The Hills Have Eyes II (2007)

World Trade Center (2006)

Collateral Damage (2002)

In more recent years, he has also ventured into video game voice acting and motion capture, notably playing the lead antagonist, Mafia boss Sal Marcano, in Mafia III (2016). He has also lent his voice to audiobook narration.

Jay Acovone's rich baritone voice and commanding screen presence have made him a reliable and memorable character actor across a wide spectrum of genres in film and television for decades.