Anthony J. Ribustello was an American actor and politician. He was best known for his role as Dante Greco, Tony Soprano's driver on the HBO series The Sopranos. A member of the Republican Party, Ribustello was the party's nominee for Bronx Borough President in 2009, losing to Democratic Assemblyman Rubén Díaz Jr., who subsequently appointed him to Bronx Community Board 10.
Anthony Ribustello | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anthony J. Ribustello August 6, 1966 |
| Died | December 28, 2019 (aged 53) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, politician |
| Employer | New York City Board of Elections |
| Known for | Dante Greco on The Sopranos |
| Political party | Republican |
Career
editIn April 2009, Ribustello ran for Bronx borough president as the Republican candidate in a special election to replace incumbent Democrat Adolfo Carrión Jr., who resigned to take a position in the Obama administration. Ribustello received about 13 percent of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic borough, losing to Democratic Assemblyman Rubén Díaz Jr.[1] After the election, Diaz appointed Ribustello to Bronx Community Board 10.[2]
In addition to acting, Ribustello was also employed at the New York City Board of Elections.
Personal life
editRibustello died on December 28, 2019, after years of waiting for a kidney transplant at age 53.[3]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Poison | Fontenal Inmate | |
| 1992 | Fathers & Sons | Chris | |
| 1995 | No Exit | Goombie | |
| 1999 | Under Hellgate Bridge | Vincent's Crew | |
| 2003 | Uptown Girls | Tony | |
| 2003 | Anything Else | Car Thug #1 | |
| 2005 | Be Cool | Fast Freddie | |
| 2008 | A Jersey Christmas | John | |
| 2010 | Bronx Paradise | Dante Greco | |
| 2012 | The History of Future Folk | Cop #2 | |
| 2013 | Side Effects | Desk Sergeant | Uncredited |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1997 | The City | Vito | 16 episodes |
| 1999 | Sex and the City | Large Imposing Man | Episode: "La Douleur Exquise!" |
| 2001 | Deadline | Al | Episode: "Somebody's Fool" |
| 2002 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Fast Food Manager | Episode: "Protection" |
| 2002, 2009 | Law & Order | Paul Upton / Hank | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Ed | Mitch Martel | Episode: "Happily Ever After" |
| 2004–2007 | The Sopranos | Dante Greco | 11 episodes |
| 2004 | Bad Apple | Stanley | Television film |
| 2007 | The Knights of Prosperity | Drunk Guy | Episode: "Operation: Fighting Shape" |
| 2008 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Tony Snails | Episode: "Contract" |
| 2012 | Magic City | Jilly Rizzo | Episode: "The Year of the Fin" |
References
edit- ^ Bindley, Katherine (2009-04-18). "Tony Soprano's Driver Eyes a Different Gig". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ "Borough President Diaz Appoints Ribustello to Community Board #10". The Office of The Bronx Borough President | Vanessa L. Gibson. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ "Sopranos Actor and Country Club Resident Passes Away | Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-14.
External links
edit- Anthony Ribustello at IMDb
- New York Times, April 17, 2009, "Tony Soprano's Driver Eyes a Different Gig"
- Norwood News (Bronx), April 2, 2009, "Actor Takes on Role of Underdog in B.P. Race"
- Our Campaigns: Anthony Ribustello
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