Through the 80s and 90s, Joe Pesci was one of the most recognizable actors in American movies, particularly for his roles in Martin Scorcese films like Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino. His Academy Award-winning performance in Goodfellas is legendary thanks to his “How am I funny?” scene.
But right as his career was peaking in the late 90s, he announced that he would retire from acting. His plan was that he would make music (he had a side career making songs as Vincent Laguardia Gambini, his character from My Cousin Vinny) and enjoy life. He occasionally agreed to cameo roles, but he was done with major roles in Hollywood.
In 2019, a whole 20 years after he announced his retirement (and eight years after his last on-screen appearance), he made his big return with The Irishman. In a sense this was familiar territory for him, as The Irishman is a mobster movie directed by Martin Scorcese. However, unlike his most recognizable roles where he was a hothead or a fast talker, his role in this movie was far more subdued and nuanced.
Pesci did not want the role and repeatedly refused to be in the film. He was done with playing gangsters like he did in the 90s. Martin Scorcese says that he offered the role to Pesci 40 to 50 times before he finally accepted. Despite his initial reluctance, his performance as Russell Bufalino stands up as one of his all-time best performances. His scene near the end of The Irishman, where he’s an old man in prison too feeble to even chew bread without soaking it, is devastating. He deservedly earned Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations.
I don’t think he will resume his career, but I’m grateful for his comeback appearance in The Irishman. He reminded everyone why he was such an iconic actor in previous decades.