Local New York Native William DeMeo has appeared in several gangster films in his career so far. Films such as A Bronx Tale, One Deadly Road, Wannabes, Analyze That, Boss of Bosses, Brooklyn Boys, The Don of 42nd Street and the hit television show The Sopranos. I recently sat down with DeMeo at his new lounge Country Club in NYC as he discussed his upcoming gangster film, The 6th Family.
DeMeo has come a long way since a chance meeting with Robert DeNiro led to an extra part in A Bronx Tale. DeMeo can be seen playing stickball in the beginning of the film.
Since that small role, the acting bug bit DeMeo and he has gone on to write, direct, produce and star in his own gangster films.
His first self made feature length film was One Deadly Road. In this freshman venture, DeMeo assembled a cast which included veteran actors Burt Young (Rocky) and Frank Adonis. (Goodfellas) DeMeo wrote the script about a young mafia hustler from Bensonhurst Brooklyn’s rise up the criminal ladder. DeMeo starred in the film portraying the main character Tony Donitello.
One Deadly Road created a buzz for DeMeo which led to another popular independent gangster film, Wannabes. DeMeo wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film which earned him a best actor award at the New York Independent International Film Festival. The film also garnered two more awards at the festival including Best Director and Best Supporting Actor.
William DeMeo’s last film Searching for Bobby D won several audience awards at various film festivals. The film which was co written by DeMeo and his director Paul Borghese featured Carmen Electra, Tyson Beckford, Sandra Bernhard, Mario Cantone, and Saturday Night Fever star Karen Lynn Gorney.
Now after a recurring role on The Sopranos as Jason Molinaro, DeMeo has a new film in pre-production called The 6th Family. According to DeMeo, the 6th Family is unlike any gangster film ever made. He is departing from the usual gangster genre film and promises to go outside the box for this one. DeMeo has acquired a well know gangster film veteran to portray his father in the film, actor Armand Assante. (Gotti, American Gangster) Rapper and actor Ice-T will also be part of the film. Financing has come via many of DeMeo’s professional basbeball player friends. Paul Borghese will be the film’s director. Professional baseball player Bronson Arroyo is the executive producer as well as a partner in DeMeo’s new trendy lounge in the Meat Packing District, Country Club.
While not wanting to elaborate too much on the script for the 6th Family, DeMeo has promised there will be a lot of violence and bloodshed and will take a look at a crazed gangster who gets out of jail after serving ten years. Basically, It will focus on a group of guys that go back to the old neighborhood and take revenge on the “rats.” DeMeo said.” Production starts summer 2009 and more surprises are in the works according to DeMeo.
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