A SERIOUS COMIC
Maniscalco not all jokes
Q How are you?
A Freezing.
Q Where you at right now?
A Montreal.
Q Oh, come on — You’re from Chicago, you’ve dealt with cold before, right?
A Yeah, yeah. But I think my blood has thinned out since I’ve been living in California. So when I get hit with these Arctic blasts, I think my body goes into shock.
Q There’s something I’ve been dying to talk to you about. I understand you got a role in Martin Scorsese’s new film The Irishman. What’s that like?
A I play a character by the name of Crazy Joe Gallo. The movie’s based on the killing of Jimmy Hoffa, and I play the real-life character of Gallo. It’s been an unbelievable experience for me to work with Martin Scorsese as a director. I really can’t get into it too much, but it’s been a hell of a ride, and I can’t wait until it comes out.
Q Man, to play a gangster in a Martin Scorsese flick. That must be like a dream come true.
A. Yeah, it’s something I’ve always wanted to get into, as far as acting. To land a role in this movie, for me, was pretty special. A lot of actors work their way up to a movie like this.
Q Did you grow up watching all those great Scorsese movies? Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Raging Bull?
A Yeah, I’m a huge fan. Being Italian, I kind of related — not necessarily to the gangster part of it, but more like the family stuff. If you watch Goodfellas, there’s that scene when (the gangsters) go over to have food with Tommy’s mother — who was played by Scorsese’s real mom. Growing up in an Italian family, I related to the dynamics.
Q Classic scene. How did it feel working with such a giant of cinema?
A For me to go from standup comedy to doing a dramatic role in a film like that is a change — but also a welcome challenge. I am a comedian, but I tend to be kind of a serious guy. A lot of people when they hang out with me, they think that I’m gonna be the life of the party and making everybody laugh all the time. But it truly isn’t the case.
Q Huh! That’s interesting.
A Yeah, I mean, there’s a misconception, I think, that comedians are always funny. People want to go out with the comedian and think, ‘Oh, he’s gonna be a ball of laughs.’ But I don’t know. To be honest with you, around social settings, I’ve always been kind of shy and laid back. Never really the life of the party — I’ve always been kind of reserved. Listening to people rather than talking.
Hey, I’m a fun guy. But I’m not going to be vying for a lot of attention when I’m out with people. I’d rather ... be in the shadows.
Sebastian Maniscalco performs at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Jan. 12 and 13. The Jan. 12 show is sold out. Tickets to the Jan. 13 show start at $45, available via caesarswindsor.com, www.ticketmaster.ca, or the casino’s box office (377 Riverside Dr. E.). Call 1-800-745-3000. Showtime is 9 p.m. 19 and older only.