Paul D'Amato
Biography
Paul D'Amato was an American actor who began in the theater and became known for playing heavies. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he started as a stagehand at 14 and switched to acting at 21, studying at Emerson College, where he acted in school productions and played ice hockey. After moving to Montpelier, Vermont, in 1974, he joined a local theater ensemble and appeared in a 1975 production of Jean Genet's Deathwatch. His hockey background helped him land the antagonist role in Slap Shot (1977), and he went on to appear in The Deer Hunter (1978), Firepower (1979) and Suspect (1987), usually cast as a thug or henchman. He also worked in television, with episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and returned to the stage off-Broadway in a 1996 revival of Requiem for a Heavyweight. He died in 2024.
74years old at death
- Born Worcester
- Died East Brookfield
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
- Also credited as Paul D'Amatto
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 21 years1978 to 1999
Every film, newest first
- 1999Six Ways to SundayIMDb rating 6.1
- 1987SuspectIMDb rating 6.6
- 1986F/XIMDb rating 6.7
- 1978The Deer HunterIMDb rating 8.1
Genres
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Big break
D'Amato had both acting and ice hockey experience, which put him in the running for a part in the 1977 film Slap Shot. He played the main antagonist, Tim "Dr. Hook" McCracken.
A first
D'Amato's look as Slap Shot's Dr. Hook became the basis for Marvel artist John Byrne's version of the X-Men character Wolverine.
A change of course
D'Amato first worked as a stagehand when he was 14 years old. At 21, he changed his career path and became an actor.
Beyond film
In 1975 D'Amato played one of three prisoners in a stage production of Jean Genet's Deathwatch, and his performance was reviewed as "outstanding".
Paul D'Amato movies on Netflix
Worked with
Paul D'Amato shares two films with Joe Grifasi, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Joe Grifasi's page
Robert De Niro's page
Christopher Walken's page
Liam Neeson's page
Dennis Quaid's page
Meryl Streep's page
All films by Michael Cimino
Robert MandelDirector, 1 film, 1986
All films by Robert Mandel
All films by Peter Yates
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.