James Madio was born on November 22, 1975, in the Bronx, New York City, and as a boy, he was already interested in acting, beginning his professional career at the tender age of 13.
His breakthrough came when he was cast in Steven Spielberg's Hook in 1991, at just 14 years old, and it was Spielberg who discovered him, marking the beginning of his journey in Hollywood. While on the set of Hook, Dustin Hoffman personally chose Madio for the role of his son in the film Hero. That same year, Madio appeared as the younger version of John Turturro in the Independent film, Mac.
Madio went on to secure a role in The Basketball Diaries in 1995, where he worked alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and his portrayal of Pedro, a friend of DiCaprio's character, was well received and solidified his reputation as a talented young actor.
Madio's talent and ambition led him to his second tour with Spielberg, in HBO's highly rated mini-series, Band of Brothers, where his portrayal of Sergeant Frank Perconte was an integral part of its success. He co-starred in the Clint Eastwood film Jersey Boys and played executed anarchist Nicola Sacco in the feature film No God, No Master.
Madio's career has extended to behind the camera, having produced and written several award-winning independent projects, both features and shorts. His short film, Apple Box, which he wrote, produced, and starred in, racked up several wins across the country, earning him two Best Actor awards.
Madio has appeared in many hit shows, including CSI NY, Blue Bloods, Bones, Castle, and Law & Order, among others, showcasing his versatility in working across different genres and formats, including voice-over work for the animated film Shark Tale and video game franchise, The Call of Duty.
Recently, Madio starred in the Paramount mini-series The OFFER, based on Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy's extraordinary, never-before-seen experiences of making The Godfather.
Currently, Madio is filming the highly anticipated HBO/DC mini-series, The Penguin, opposite Colin Farrell, and his newest film The Featherweight has been invited to world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival, where he portrays the title character, Willie Pep.
