All About Bobby Cannavale: A Biography

Bobby Cannavale was born on May 3, 1971 in Union City, New Jersey to an Italian father and a Cuban mother. He attended Saint Michael’s catholic school in Union City, where Cannavale participated in many after school activities, including being an altar boy and singing in chorus. After performing at a young age in the school’s productions of “The Music Man” and “Guys and Dolls”, Bobby Cannavale decided he wanted to be an actor.

When he was 13, Bobby Cannavale’s parents divorced. He moved with his mother to Puerto Rico for two years, then relocated to Coconut Creek, Florida. After high school, Bobby Cannavale returned to New Jersey to begin his acting career. Despite his lack of acting experience, Cannavale became involved with the reputable Circle Repertory
Theatre.

He became a “reader” for several plays and then an understudy. He took over a role in “A Flea in Her Ear” for two weeks. Bobby Cannavale’s performance was so impressive he earned a role in the next production, Paul Rudnick’s, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told”. John Wells attended the play, and secured Cannavale for his next TV show, “Third Watch”. He appeared in the show for two seasons. In 2001, Bobby Cannavale starred with Alan Arkin in “100 Centre Street” – written and directed by Sidney Lumet.

In 1994, Bobby Cannavale married Jenny Lumet, Sidney Lumet’s daughter. They have one son, Jacob, but divorced in 2003.

In 2002, Bobby Cannavale joined the cast of “Ally McBeal” for the last five episodes before the show was cancelled. Following this, Cannavale co-starred in the miniseries Kingpin.

Bobby Cannavale had a recurring guest role on “Will & Grace” from 2004-2005 as Vince D’Angelo, Will’s long-awaited romantic interest. Cannavale won an Emmy in 2005 for this role, for “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series”.