The crime genre has been home to many notable actors throughout the years – Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta to name a few. However, one of the most underrated gangster actors remains relatively unknown, despite appearing in some of the biggest gangster films of all time.
Even if audiences never fully recognized his contributions to cinema, Tony Lip remains a legend among fans of gangster films and TV. From his early, uncredited role in The Godfather to his unforgettable turn as Carmine Lupertazzi in The Sopranos, Lip was one of the most authentic character actors in crime cinema. While he may not have received the widespread recognition he deserved in his lifetime, his legacy lives on through the films and shows he featured in, along with his incredible biographical film Green Book.
Tony Lip in The Godfather, The Sopranos & Goodfellas
Tony Lip’s film debut was a brief yet notable appearance in The Godfather. Uncredited, he played a wedding guest – one of Emilio Barzini’s henchmen – during the iconic opening scene. This uncredited role marked the beginning of his extensive career in film and television.
Perhaps one of the biggest roles of his career, Lip played Carmine Lupertazzi Sr. In HBO’s gangster drama The Sopranos. As the long-time boss of the Lupertazzi crime family, Carmine was an old-school mafioso who valued diplomacy and stability. Despite his affable demeanor, Carmine was a ruthless leader who prioritized business over personal vendettas – a trait that made him both respected and feared.
Despite his age, Carmine remained a strong presence throughout his time in the show. He maintained a firm grip over the Lupertazzi family, even as tensions with his underboss, Johnny Sack, began to brew. One of his most memorable power plays involved his refusal to endorse a hit Johnny wanted on Ralph Cifaretto, demonstrating his strategic mindset—only considering violence when it made financial sense.
Tony Lip was perfect as Carmine. His unassuming personality was dead-on for a boss, and his street authenticity made the character work. He played Carmine as a calm, calculating leader – never showy, but always in control – and his presence alone commanded respect. Carmine wasn’t a character who needed to raise his voice to be feared, and Lip’s restrained delivery made him all the more intimidating.
In Goodfellas, Tony Lip played Frankie “The Wop” Manzo, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family. While his screen time was limited, Lip settled comfortably into the world of mobsters and wise guys that Martin Scorsese created. He carried the same understated confidence that later defined his portrayal of Carmine Lupertazzi in The Sopranos, relying on presence rather than theatrics. In a film packed with big personalities, Lip’s performance added to Goodfellas’ authenticity.
Tony Lip was an Underrated Gangster Actor
The late Tony Lip built a career playing gangsters with a level of authenticity few could match. He appeared in several crime films and shows throughout the years, often in smaller roles that still left an impression. In Donnie Brasco, he played Philly Lucky, a minor but fitting role in a film filled with real-life mob figures. In The Pope of Greenwich Village, he was a background tough guy Frankie. Even in Raging Bull, though not a mob movie in the traditional sense, he played a member of the boxing underworld.
Lip’s presence in these films, while minor, was nonetheless amazing. Before acting, he worked as a bouncer at the legendary Copacabana nightclub, rubbing shoulders with real mobsters, which most likely gave his performances a credibility that couldn’t be faked. He didn’t need to force an accent or overplay a tough-guy persona, it came naturally. Whether he had a single line or a full scene, Lip always felt like he belonged in the world of gangsters, making every role, no matter how small, feel real.
Tony Lip Never Got the Appreciation He Deserved
Despite appearing in some of Hollywood’s greatest gangster films and TV shows, Tony Lip never received the recognition he deserved. After his roles in The Godfather, The Sopranos and Goodfellas, Lip continued to demonstrate his talent in several roles.
Beyond acting, Tony Lip’s true story came to the forefront in a way he could never have imagined. His real-life experiences served as the basis for the 2018 biographical film Green Book, which was inspired by his time as the driver and bodyguard for pianist Dr. Don Shirley. In the film, Viggo Mortensen portrayed Lip, while Mahershala Ali played Dr. Shirley, who hired Lip for a tour through the racially segregated South in the 1960s.
A remarkable true story that proves Lip was just as amazing off-screen as he was on-screen happened in 1962 when Lip, a bouncer from the Bronx, accepted a job driving Shirley through the segregated South, where Shirley faced racial discrimination despite being an accomplished classical pianist. Though the movie condenses the trip to two months, Lip actually traveled with Shirley for a year and a half. Over the course of the journey, Lip’s views on race were transformed, as he witnessed firsthand the challenges and injustices Shirley faced. While Green Book dramatized some aspects of their trip, the film remained true to key moments. For example, Lip did indeed punch an officer after a derogatory slur was used against him, leading to their brief time in jail, and the film accurately reflects how Shirley reached out to then-Attorney General Robert Kennedy for help. The trip also brought about a lasting friendship between Lip and Shirley.
The film, directed by Peter Farrelly, became a massive success, grossing over $321 million worldwide, and winning multiple Academy Awards. Yet, despite the attention the film brought to Tony Lip’s incredible journey, he never got to see the recognition it earned. Tragically, Lip passed away in 2013, five years before the film’s release. And, despite Green Book shining a spotlight on his incredible life and offering a fitting tribute to his legacy, Tony Lip’s contributions to film and culture remain largely underappreciated.
In addition to his roles in The Godfather, The Sopranos and Goodfellas, Tony Lip continued to show his talent in a variety of other films, though many of his contributions remained minor or uncredited. One such role came in the 1991 film 29th Street, where Lip played Nicky “Bad Lungs”, a mobster in a comedy setting. Similarly, in Innocent Blood, Lip played gangster Frank, this time in a vampire dark comedy. In 2008, Lip took on the role of Gus in Stiletto, a fast-paced crime thriller involving a hitwoman and a group of mobsters.
However, despite the solid performances he gave in these roles, many of Lip’s performances went largely unnoticed. Whether he was uncredited or in smaller, supporting parts, his work never quite garnered the appreciation it deserved. Though his talent was undeniable, he was often relegated to the background, with larger, flashier roles grabbing the spotlight. Yet, for those who watched closely, Tony Lip’s performances consistently added a little something extra to every film, leaving a mark on every scene he was in.
Tony Lip’s legacy is one of quiet influence. He may not have been a household name, but his work helped define an era of crime cinema. Though he never sought the limelight, Lip’s contributions to film remain invaluable. He was able to disappear into his roles, giving each character a sense of realism. Whether playing a mob enforcer, a streetwise consigliere, or even a bouncer with a sharp wit, he never failed to add depth to every scene.
Working as a bouncer and witnessing firsthand the mobster world he would later portray on screen, his experiences – along with the events depicted in Green Book – likely influenced his work and understanding of the mafia rules. Nonetheless, his performances, whether brief or more substantial, left lasting impressions that continue to be appreciated by those who love the genre.
