Movies

Bobby Cannavale’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

BBG News

Bobby Cannavale’s most notable films and television shows exhibit a wide range, encompassing gangster flicks, police dramas, and even superhero productions. With no formal acting background, he commenced his career in theater and rapidly ascended to significant prominence. This ascent included a role in the 1999 film “The Bone Collector,” opposite Denzel Washington. Subsequently, he landed an early-career lead role on the NBC procedural series “Third Watch,” which aired from 1999 to 2001. This paved the way for numerous roles on both the small and big screens throughout his career.

Over the past two decades, Cannavale has garnered a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his guest appearance on Will & Grace, paving the way for a successful TV career. He’s taken on supporting roles in series like Vinyl, Mr. Robot, and Homecoming and lead roles in shows such as Nine Perfect Strangers and The Watcher. Throughout his television journey, he’s also landed significant roles in productions like The Station Agent, Blue Jasmine, Blonde, and The Other Guys. However, it’s his role as Jim Paxton in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man films that has earned him widespread recognition.

10. The Watcher (2022)

Dean Brannock

In the 2022 mystery horror series titled “The Watcher“, Bobby Cannavale and Naomi Watts portray the lead characters, Dean and Nora. This couple discovers their ideal home in New Jersey, but after settling in, they discover that their dream residence transforms into a nightmare. An anonymous stalker initiates sending unsettling letters, identifying themselves as The Watcher, and making ominous threats against them. It doesn’t take long for them to understand that the sender of these letters intends to drive them out of the house and may even go to extreme lengths to accomplish this.

According to a 2018 article in New York Magazine, the real-life story of a couple who faced persistent threatening letters after moving into their house in 2014 and continued until they moved out five years later was the main focus of the miniseries. However, the series also incorporated another true story involving a mass murderer named John List from 1971. The Ryan Murphy-produced show garnered mixed reviews, with a rating of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics particularly appreciated the performances of the cast.

9. Vinyl (2016)

Richie Finestra

The television show, titled “Vinyl”, is a period drama set in the 1970s New York City, where a struggling record label owner, Richie Finestra, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale, strives to revive his flagging label, American Century. This series was created by Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, Rich Cohen, and Terence Winter and broadcast on HBO. However, the plan for two seasons was later changed, with HBO deciding to cancel the show after only one season had aired.

Regardless of its termination and HBO’s perceived mismanagement, the show Vinyl generally received favorable appraisals, boasting a 76% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The majority of these positive reviews commended the soundtrack, historical accuracy, and acting, particularly highlighting Bobby Cannavale’s performance. Furthermore, the series garnered two Emmy Award nominations: one for Outstanding Makeup in a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) and another for Main Title Design.

8. Third Watch (1999-2001)

Roberto Caffey

As a film enthusiast, I can’t forget my first encounter with the exceptional talent that is Bobby Cannavale. His breakout role was in the captivating police procedural series titled “Third Watch,” which graced our TV screens on NBC from 1999 to 2005. Spanning six seasons and an impressive 132 episodes, this show offered a gripping portrayal of life for New York City’s brave men and women in uniform – police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.

The title “Third Watch” refers to the third shift, which runs from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. In this series, I had the privilege of watching Bobby Cannavale bring his exceptional acting skills to life as FDNY Paramedic Roberto “Bobby” Caffey. Regrettably, after just two seasons, he bid adieu to the show.

In the second season, there wasn’t much more for his character to contribute in the series, so Cannavale decided to depart. His character was written off the show following his request to terminate his contract due to a lack of character development and significant storylines. As he stated through Variety, “I couldn’t just keep on pronouncing people dead and trying to bring them back to life.

7. Ant-Man (2015)

Jim Paxton

In a fresh take on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Ant-Man combined aspects of a thrilling heist flick and a humorous action adventure. The story revolves around Scott Lang, a father who’s fresh out of prison, struggling to balance his need for income with his desire to rebuild his relationship with his daughter. In a harsh world where opportunities are scarce even for fast food workers, Scott reluctantly agrees to another heist, an encounter that leads him to the Ant-Man suit and a new role as a superhero. Bobby Cannavale portrays Jim Paxton, Scott’s ex-wife’s current spouse in the film.

In the initial film, Jim exhibits a hostile attitude towards Scott but appears to have his stepdaughter’s best interests at heart. In contrast, in the second movie, their relationship seems friendlier, with Jim offering support to Scott. However, it’s important to note that Cannavale plays a more significant role in the first film, contributing significantly to the grand heist from the police department’s perspective, unbeknownst to them. Despite being classified as less action-packed Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, the Ant-Man series offers enjoyable entertainment, and Cannavale is a notable contributor to this.

6. Nurse Jackie (2012-2013)

Dr. Mike Cruz

Following the conclusion of “The Sopranos”, Edie Falco swiftly found herself a new part on the Showtime drama “Nurse Jackie”. In this program, she portrays Jackie Peyton, a nurse working in an emergency department who grapples with drug dependency. The show delved deeply into her addiction issues, which significantly influenced her interactions with other characters like Bobby Cannavale’s character, Mike Cruz, who made appearances during the fifth and sixth seasons.

At All Saints Hospital, following Quantum Bay’s takeover, Mike now serves as the top administrator. His tale shares similarities with that of Jackie. Mike’s son, Charlie, struggles with drug addiction and Mike tirelessly assists him in attending rehab appointments. It is there where he develops a friendship with Jackie. However, their bond becomes strained as Mike behaves adversely towards Jackie, causing more turmoil in her life than before. Eventually, a tragic event brings them together. In the TV series Nurse Jackie, Cannavale was recognized with a SAG nomination for his role within the ensemble cast.

5. The Irishman (2019)

Skinny Razor

In one of his finest roles, Bobby Cannavale was featured in a Netflix movie produced by Martin Scorsese titled “The Irishman“. Following an extensive collection of mafia films like the legendary “Goodfellas“, Scorsese narrated the tale of 1950s organized crime figures and their interactions with union organizer Jimmy Hoffa (portrayed by Al Pacino). In this film, Bobby Cannavale played Skinny Razor, a local Philadelphia Italian-American gangster.

The film opens with Skinny Razor playing a pivotal role. Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a union truck driver, illegally takes some of his deliveries and sells them to Skinny Razor. Despite this, Frank refuses to incriminate him, leading him to perform tasks for local gangsters. Over a span of 20 years, Cannavale’s character is minor, but as the trigger that gets Sheeran into the mafia’s favor, he proves crucial.

4. Mr. Robot (2018-2019)

Otto Irving

In the third season, Bobby Cannavale became a part of the ensemble for the television series Mr. Robot. This show revolves around the character Elliot Alderson (portrayed by Rami Malek), who is a covert hacker recognized as Mr. Robot in certain circles. However, Elliot grapples with dissociative identity disorder, unaware that he is Mr. Robot for much of the series, communicating instead with his alternate persona, portrayed on screen by Christian Slater. As the story unfolds across four seasons, it becomes increasingly clear that Elliot’s actions – which include cyber-terrorism – are taking a toll on him, leading to his slow self-destruction.

Alec Baldwin portrays Otto Irving, a used-car dealer who acts as a liaison for the Dark Army, an organization controlled by Mr. Robot, in their mission to dismantle American capitalist system. His role involves monitoring Tyrell, a character on the run with numerous hidden mysteries that he keeps concealed from those around him. The Critics’ Choice Television Awards recognized Baldwin’s performance with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

3. Homecoming (2018-2020)

Colin Belfast

The captivating thriller series “Homecoming,” streaming on Prime Video, is derived from a podcast of the same name. The initial season was masterfully crafted and directed by Sam Esmail, best known for creating “Mr. Robot.” In this series, Julia Roberts takes on the role of Heidi Bergman, a caseworker at a clandestine government facility. This collaboration also allowed Esmail to rejoin forces with Bobby Cannavale, who was previously part of “Mr. Robot.” Within “Homecoming,” Cannavale portrays Colin Belfast, Heidi’s superior at the secret government institution.

In the initial season, we follow Heidi’s journey as she serves as a social worker at the Homecoming Transitional Support House, a residential care center managed by the Geist Group, designed to aid soldiers in their transition from military to civilian life. Throughout this series, Colin Cannavale encourages Heidi to gather extensive data, and gradually, she uncovers that the facility is not just about helping soldiers, but harbors deeper secrets. Unfortunately, neither Cannavale nor Roberts reappear for season 2; however, the first season was recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Series.

2. Will & Grace (2004-2006, 2018)

Vince D’Angelo

In the sixth season, Bobby Cannavale became a regular cast member in the popular series “Will & Grace,” portraying Vince D’Angelo, a police officer who later started dating the main character, Will (played by Eric McCormack). This character was significant as he represented one of Will’s first lasting relationships throughout the show. The story revolves around two best friends – a gay lawyer named Will and a straight interior designer, both navigating their lives and relationships.

Vince played a significant role on the television program, and his bond with Will was crucial, albeit not ending as some viewers may have wished. This dynamic was also a significant milestone for Cannavale, earning him his initial Primetime Emmy accolade – the trophy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series during the show’s seventh season.

1. Boardwalk Empire (2012)

Gyp Rosetti

The TV show that caught Martin Scorsese’s eye and put Bobby Cannavale on his radar was his stint on “Boardwalk Empire.” In this HBO series, Cannavale portrayed Gyp Rosetti, a New York City gangster under Joe Masseria (Ivo Nandi). One of the show’s characters known for violent outbursts, Gyp Rosetti transformed into the main antagonist during the third season of “Boardwalk Empire.” His debut scene depicted him brutally killing a man over a casual insult.

In the story, Bobby Cannavale’s character becomes a formidable adversary for Nucky (Steve Buscemi) when Nucky declines to sell illicit alcohol to him. As a result, he seizes control of a small town and impedes Nucky’s liquor shipments from reaching Atlantic City. This confrontation escalates into a brutal and violent conflict between the two gangsters. Notably, this role marked a significant achievement for Bobby Cannavale, earning him his second Primetime Emmy Award, in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

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2025-04-27 18:09

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