Rebecca Miller, who directed the Martin Scorsese docuseries titled Mr. Scorsese, disclosed that Joe Pesci declined to be featured in the project. Miller had hoped Pesci would share his insights on his role in one of Scorsese’s most celebrated films, but Pesci chose not to take part.
The Apple TV series honors the extensive career of Martin Scorsese, focusing in part on Pesci’s character Tommy DeVito from Goodfellas. Despite being a longtime collaborator with Scorsese, Pesci did not agree to appear and discuss his work in the series.
Rebecca Miller Explains Pesci’s Absence from the Series
Miller explained,
“The only person who said ‘no’ was Joe Pesci,”
revealing his unwillingness to be interviewed for the documentary. She added,
“Marty explains it a little bit in the documentary,”
referring to Scorsese’s own comments about Pesci’s decision. According to Scorsese, Pesci
“just doesn’t want to talk about the experiences that made him so perfect for this kind of role.”
The role in question is Pesci’s portrayal of Tommy DeVito, particularly known for the memorable “How am I funny?” scene in Goodfellas. The documentary reveals this iconic moment was based on a real-life encounter Pesci himself witnessed, which inspired Scorsese to incorporate it into the film. Additionally, the scene included improvised dialogue between Pesci and Ray Liotta, who played Henry Hill.
Pesci’s Personal History Shapes His Reluctance
Pesci’s upbringing in Newark, New Jersey, exposed him to the harsh realities of the criminal underworld, which left a significant impact on him. Miller noted,
“Joe was marked far worse than Marty was by those people,”
implying that Pesci prefers to avoid revisiting those difficult memories. This personal history likely contributes to his decision to shy away from interviews and public discussions about that part of his life.
Given Pesci’s known tendency to avoid interviews, his refusal to participate in the docuseries aligns with his general approach to media engagement. Despite his absence, Miller highlights Pesci’s essential contributions to Scorsese’s body of work throughout the series.
Availability and Viewing
Mr. Scorsese is currently available for streaming on Apple TV, offering viewers a comprehensive look at the director’s career while acknowledging the missing perspective of one of his key collaborators, Joe Pesci.
