"Gentlemen's Quarterly" has compared him to silver screen classic leading men Robert Mitchum and Lee Marvin. "Interview Magazine" called him a latter-day Humphrey Bogart. He has worked opposite Sinatra, Brando, Schwarzenegger, Begnigni and Eastwood; with top directors Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner and John Glenn; with producers Joel Silver and the legendary Albert R. Broccoli, among many others. He studied with Stella Adler and is a member of the prestigious Actors' Studio. Today, he’s instantly recognized throughout the world and often found chatting in coffee shops with delighted fans.
He is actor Robert Davi, an Actor's Actor who has appeared in over 70 films and in only the best that television has to offer.
He was the first to bring the now ubiquitous subject of profiling to public attention with NBC's "Profiler," where he played FBI Agent Bailey Malone for 4 1/2 years. His authentic portrayal of Agent Malone makes it challenging to believe he was also the Colombian drug lord Franz Sanchez in James Bond's "License to Kill," or the Palestinian terrorist Salim Ajami in the acclaimed television presentation, "Terrorist on Trial," or the Hungarian, Ivan Nagy in "The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss." His range extends to the realm of science fiction as well, where he played Acastus Kolya on the sci-fi hit "Stargate: Atlantis."
Robert’s bold approach, metamorphic range and uncanny ability to absorb accents like a sponge allow him to burrow into a role and emerge with a character that etches itself deep in the viewer's brain -- embedding itself for future recall as a reference to the real thing -- so much so, in fact, that acting classes throughout the country sometimes use his approach to a role as an example for budding young actors.
His directorial debut is the feature film "The Dukes," starring Robert and three Academy Award Nominees: Chazz Palminteri, Peter Bogdanovich and Miriam Margolyes. It was a hit at the ROME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, where it screened in the Premiere Section along with Francis Ford Coppola, Sean Penn, Robert Redford and several other legendary filmmakers. At the MONTE CARLO FESTIVAL OF COMEDY, Robert received two awards from legendary filmmaker, Ettore Scola. At the FRENCH FESTIVAL OF COMEDY, he received the COUP DU COEUR.
"The Dukes" is a dark comedy about a former Doo Wop group trying to survive by a glory that is past, and a present that is unforgiving. Robert explains:
I wanted to tell a story for the everyman but with a light touch. By having a Doo Wop group whose music is no longer seemingly relevant parallel an industrial world changing to a technological one, I am able to explore the intricacies of re-defining oneself, dealing with lost fame and holding onto your true self in changing times through music and humor. The other thing that I was intent on doing with the film was in some way parallel the current devastating economic situation we are currently facing in America and around the world. I wanted to make a film that spoke to the average man and the struggle and choices some may be faced with during these desperate times in 2008. The film is sprinkled with metaphors expressing this state but all told as a dark comedy--an American Commedia al Italiana. My goal was to tell a story about American spirit and this is the story of "The Dukes." It makes people want to pick themselves up, get in the game and start again.
“The Dukes” won 9 awards from major festivals around the world, including 4 Best First Time Director nods. The film was released in the fall and will soon be available on DVD.
Robert latest directorial effort "Magic," tells the story of a dog sent from Heaven by a mother who has passed on to help her daughter come to terms with her passing. It stars Christopher Lloyd, Sammi Hanratty, Robert, and Robert’s cousin, Leo Grillo -- a pioneer in animal welfare and founder of Delta Rescue (the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the world).
Robert’s long love affair with cinema began as a child when he was first introduced to Italian neo-realism. Davi, whose parents were both descendants from Italian immigrants, grew up watching Italian films and is heavily influenced by the storytelling of legendary directors such as Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luchino Visconti, and Roberto Rossellini.
On the big and small screen, Robert has protected us, terrorized us and made us laugh, all while managing to entertain the whole family. And today, whether stopped on the street by one of the many young adults who grew up watching Jake Fratelli in the timeless classic "The Goonies," or a child who caught one of the frequent airings still happening today, few only know the actor, not the man off the screen:
-In November of 2007, Robert received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Board of Governors in New York, a state that has recognized his value as an artist and community leader.
-Since its inception in 1997, Robert has been the National Spokesperson for I-Safe America, a program regarded by many Internet experts as the most complete Internet safety program in the country for grades 1-12, and in all 50 states.
-A proud recipient of the George M. Eastbrook Distinguished Service Award, Hofstra University Alumni Association. Past recipients include Francis Ford Coppola and William Sapphire.
-Robert is proud to serve on the Steering Committee for George Washington University's Homeland Security Policy Institute -- the only actor among 28 members, who consist mostly of Senators and former heads of the FBI and CIA.
-A lesson plan for Robert’s “Civilian Patrol 93” is currently being drawn up at Homeland Security.
-In 2000, Robert received a Man of the Year award from the Los Angeles F.B.I.
-In 2004, for saving a young girl from a house fire, Robert received KNX radio’s Citizen of the Week Award.
-In September of 2004, Robert received the Sons of Italy, Royal Court of the Golden Lion Award which resulted in a $20,000 check for one of the many foundations Robert’s involved in.
-In October of 2004, Robert received the 2004 STEP Award (Science, Technology and Education Partnership). Past recipients include Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
-In December of 2008, he was the recipient of the Italo-Americano Award from Capri-Hollywood Festival.
Robert has five children (that includes eight-year-old twins), three dogs and four cats. Love is shared equally.
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback