Bronx Beginnings for Dominic Chianese and Carl Reiner

Photo by Mike Lizzi

Dominic Chianese Unburdens Himself

Dominic Chianese was born on February 24, 1931. His father was a bricklayer and among a cast of real life Bronx characters who inspired his iconic role on The Soprano’s. “Uncle Junior is my father, my uncles, my cousins, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker - everything but a mobster," Chianese told Eirik Knutzen of SouthJersey.com.

So the idea of becoming an actor arose early on. “My first inkling was when I was seven years old,” he told The Edge Magazine.

It took awhile to put to practical use, though, and singing actually set Chianese on the path. At Champlain College up in Plattsburgh, New York, he joined a cappella group, and traveling to all the Ivy League schools, the Bronx native knew performance was it.

However, the Korean War had the US Government closing the school. The Army needed a base, but the 20 year old was undeterred. He made directly from the bus home to Jan Hus Presbyterian Church on East 74th Street and auditioned for Gilbert and Sullivan.

Chianese ended up in the chorus and made $110 a week but could never fully commit to an actor’s life. All those Bronx voices held him back, and to placate his parents, he used his 1961 Brooklyn College degree in speech and theater to find work as a teacher.

A career that proved “too restrictive,” Chianese told Knutzen, and the creative finally unburdened himself of the expectations of others. No easy decision since Chianese would accrue two ex-wives and six children.

Of course, his big break came in the The Godfather II (Johnny Ola) and led to parts All The President`s Men and Fort Apache. The world didn’t truly change until he found a home on The Soprano’s, though. "For the first time in my life, I don`t think about money or when the checks are coming in," Chianese told Knutzen.

Better Late than Never.

Carl Reiner Finds the Humor

Photo by Alan Light

Carl Reiner was born on March 20, 1922. The son of Jewish immigrants, his father was a watchmaker, and the family resided in the Belmont section of the Bronx. Carl went to PS 92 and PS 45 and graduated from Evander Childs High School.

An especially gifted student, Reiner's artistic path was forged by his family. His parents took him to the movies every Sunday in search of comedy, while his brother identified the aptitude that made a life for the iconic star. “My brother’s the one that decided that I was humorous,” he told Amy O’Brien of the Financial Times.

Thus, Charlie Reiner saw an ad for a free drama workshop in FDR's Works Progress Administration, and 16-year-old Carl was on his way. The comedy would have to wait, though. Reiner was educated at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and served in the Army during WWII.

But the respite wasn’t that long. The corporal was studying to be a French interpreter, and while serving, got the chance to direct a Moliere play.

Afterwards, he was sent to Hawaii, auditioned for a part before Major Maurice Evans and was transferred to specials services. In that capacity, he toured the Pacific Theater as a performer and eventually received his honorable discharge.

The war ending for him in 1943, Reiner’s career began as a Borscht Belt comedian and paved the way for his real life Hollywood fairy tale. Reiner met 28 year old singer Estelle Lebost, and they remained together until her death in 2008. His big break obviously took place when hooking on with Your Show of Shows, but national prominence emerged with the success of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

There was a hiccup first. The pilot bombed with Reiner in the lead. Nonetheless, Reiner was able to identify the main flaw. “We got a better actor,” he said years later, “a much better actor.”

Of course, the ability to roll with a setback went right along with his Bronx, Jewish upbringing. “All people who are victims of prejudice, downtrodden people, have two things to do: They can moan or they can make fun, they can lift their spirits by finding the humor in the horror, and the Jews have been able to do it since Moses’ time,” he told Benjamin Ivry of The Forward.

Amen to that.

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