Joseph Mascolo

At A Glance

Born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, Joseph Mascolo was endowed with a musical ability that seemed to guarantee a brilliant career as a classical musician. He never considered an acting career until a music scholarship took him to the University of Miami where a drama coach heard in Mascolo's hearty basso a voice that was destined for the stage.

When he became a candidate for a Fulbright Scholarship to study orchestral conducting, there was a snag; Mascolo was determined to submerge himself in the study of opera in Italy and the available position was in Germany. That being the case, he passed up on the Fulbright and, instead, took advantage of an offer in New York City. Of all the ways an actor supports himself while studying theater and auditioning in New York, the coveted seat in the clarinet section of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra which Mascolo accepted, has to be among the most unique. It was in New York that the seed to act which had been planted back in Miami began to blossom.

Mascolo was first seen off-Broadway in a production of The Threepenny Opera, soon followed by an appearance in the landmark off-Broadway production of a View From the Bridge with director Ulu Grosbard, where he succeeded Robert Duvall as Eddie Carbone and joined an ensemble that included Jon Voight as co-star and Dustin Hoffman as assistant director. His Broadway debut came in Dinner at Eight, mounted by theatre legend Tyrone Guthrie.

Film roles include Sharkey's Machine, Heat, Jaws II, and Shaft's Big Score. His appearance in the film Yes, Giorgio! gave him the opportunity to sing a duet with his friend, international super-tenor, Luciano Pavarotti.

The role of Stefano DiMera, which Mascolo portrayed on an off for almost two decades, garnered Mascolo with three Soap Opera Awards in the "Outstanding Villain" category.

Joseph Mascolo died December 9, 2016, at the age of 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. For more on the passing of Joseph Mascolo, please click here.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

The Bold and the Beautiful Massimo Marone

August 23, 2001 to July 7, 2006

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
Tendelli
1989

General Hospital
Nicholas Van Buren (Domino)
1989

The Equalizer
Tony Costa
May 4, 1988

Hunter
"Shades"
July 18, 1987

Hill Street Blues
Melvin Jardino
February 6, 1986

Santa Barbara
Carlo Alvarez
1986

Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter
Richards
1984

Days of our Lives
Stefano DiMera
1982 to 1983; 1984 to 1985; 1988; 1993 to May 25, 2001; December 19, 2006 to February 29, 2008; August 5, 2008 to Present

The Gangster Chronicles
Salvatore Maranzano
1981

Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?
Max Pierce
1977

Papa and Me
Papa
1976

Bronk
Mayor Pete Santori
1975

Baretta
January 17, 1975

All in the Family
Mr. Bushmill;
February 2, 1974

Where the Heart Is
Ed Lucas #3
1970-1973

From These Roots
Jack Lander
1961

Acting Portfolio: FILM

Heat Baby 1987 Yes, Giorgio Dominic Giordano 1982 Gangster Wars Maranzano 1981 Sharky's Machine Joe Tipps 1981 Jaws 2 Peterson 1978 The Spook Who Sat by the Door Senator Hennington 1973 Shaft's Big Score! Mascola 1972 Hot Spur Carlo 1968

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmy Awards Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actor (2008, 2010; for Days of our Lives ) Daytime Emmy Awards Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2003, 2004; for The Bold and the Beautiful )

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: West Hartford, Connecticut

DATE OF BIRTH: March 13, 1935

HEIGHT: 6'1"

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Brown

Miscellaneous

Mascolo is a concert musician and Fulbright Scholarship recipient who originally wanted to conduct operas in Milan. He was performing at the Metropolitan Opera when he began studying acting.

Has a street named after him in Ocilla, Georgia.