Acting
John Cassisi
John Cassisi, born on September 5, 1962, is a former American child actor best known for his role as "Fat Sam" in the 1976 musical film Bugsy Malone. His talent was recognized by acclaimed director Alan Parker, who discovered him during a visit to a Brooklyn classroom, where he asked students to identify the "naughtiest" boy.
In addition to Bugsy Malone, Cassisi showcased his acting skills as Herschel in the Broadway production of Gemini in 1982, sharing the stage with fellow Bugsy Malone alum Scott Baio. This marked the peak of his acting career before he decided to step away from the spotlight in the same year.
Following his departure from acting, Cassisi transitioned into the construction industry, where he made significant strides. He held the position of Director of Global Construction at Citigroup from 2012 to 2014, overseeing various projects.
However, his career took a downturn in 2015 when he was implicated in a bribery scandal, ultimately pleading guilty and receiving a prison sentence of two to six years, alongside a $500,000 forfeiture.
Cassisi is a family man, married with three children. Tragically, his eldest son Robert passed away at the young age of 26 due to a pulmonary embolism. Despite the ups and downs of his career and personal life, Cassisi's early contributions to film remain noteworthy.
