Personable, dynamic, and versatile character actor Leo Rossi has been working profusely in both movies and TV shows alike from the mid-1970s to the present day.
Born in 1947 in Trenton, New Jersey, Rossi grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Leo first began acting in community theater.
Although often cast as mean, loutish, and despicable characters, Rossi has shown on many occasions that he can play more appealing and sympathetic roles with equal skill and conviction.
Leo was solid as crass and crude sexist pig "Budd" in Halloween II (1981).
He has appeared in several movies for director Jonathan Kaplan, including Heart Like a Wheel (1983),where he was excellent as Bonnie Bedelia's character's insecure but basically decent husband Jack Muldowney, and The Accused (1988),where he memorably chilling as the vile jerk who cheers on Jodie Foster's barroom rape.
Moreover, Leo has acted in three pictures for director William Lustig, including Hit List (1989),where he was very likable as antsy mob witness "Frank DeSalvo", Relentless (1989),where he was extremely engaging as eager beaver rookie homicide detective "Sam Dietz", and Maniac Cop 2 (1990),where he was really funny as crazed serial killer "Turkell".
More recently, Rossi had a nice sizable supporting role as Robert De Niro's evil cousin "Carlo" in the hit comedy Analyze This (1999).
Among the TV shows Leo Rossi has done guest spots on are ER (1994),Frasier (1993),Murder, She Wrote (1984),Tour of Duty (1987),21 Jump Street (1987),Cagney & Lacey (1981),T.J. Hooker (1982),Amazing Stories (1985),Hunter (1984),and Hill Street Blues (1981).
