Joseph G. Grifasi (born June 14, 1944) is an American character actor of film, stage and television.
Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia (née Gaglione) and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. Grifasi graduated from Bishop Fallon High School, a defunct Catholic high school in Buffalo. He played football and acted in many of the school's plays. Grifasi briefly attended Canisius College in Buffalo before joining the United States Army. He went on to study at the Yale School of Drama.
Grifasi has played two separate members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who played for the New York Yankees. In 61*, set in 1961, he played Phil Rizzuto; in The Bronx Is Burning, set in 1977, he played Yogi Berra. Paul Borghese played Berra in 61*, while actual 1977 broadcast recordings of Rizzuto were used in The Bronx Is Burning.
Works in off-Broadway plays.
In addition to his acting credits, Grifasi frequently appears in television commercials.
A graduate of the Yale School of Drama
1963-1966 Served in US Army as specialist fourth class.
2001 Directed the stage play "Heaven Can Wait", performed at the Westport Country Playhouse.
