How Alessandro Nivola’s Career Experiment Finally Paid Off

Alessandro Nivola has been a familiar face in film for over 25 years, yet a definitive breakout role eluded him for much of that time. Despite his memorable debut as Pollux Troy, the villainous brother of Nicolas Cage’s character in John Woo’s 1997 action film Face/Off, Nivola found himself navigating a challenging Hollywood landscape. His career included a period working in England, where he met wife Emily Mortimer, but it was marked by leading roles in films that never captured widespread attention. His steady work barely moved the needle toward the success he hoped for.

Taking a Different Approach: The Career Experiment

About ten years ago, Nivola decided to shift the way he selected roles, launching what he describes as an “experiment.” He chose to accept any part—large or small—if the project was helmed by a director known for an original and compelling vision. This openness led to collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers like Sally Potter, Ava DuVernay, Nicolas Winding Refn, Barry Levinson, Lynne Ramsay, and Sebastián Lelio. Nivola admits that by letting go of conflicts with directors, he was able to enjoy his work more fully, embracing collaboration and a positive mindset.

Landing the Lead in The Many Saints of Newark

This change in philosophy ultimately led to a major breakthrough. David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, took note of Nivola’s supporting roles in David O. Russell’s American Hustle and J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year and cast him as the lead in the movie prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Reflecting on this moment, Nivola said,

“The fact that David wanted to cast me because of two fairly minor roles in good movies definitely is the proof in the pudding of the experiment,”

a statement he shared with a hint of pride and a smile.

The Many Saints of Newark was co-written by Chase alongside Lawrence Konner and directed by Alan Taylor, who won an Emmy for his work on the original series. The film explores the early life of Tony Soprano, the iconic mob boss played by the late James Gandolfini, focusing on his teenage years in Newark, New Jersey. Nivola stars as Dickie Moltisanti, a crime family figure whose presence looms over the series despite his off-screen death.

Crafting a Complex Character

Because Dickie’s fate is already known to fans of the series, Nivola had considerable freedom to interpret the role. David Chase advised him to disregard

“everything that was said about [Dickie] in the series”

since, as Chase put it, the characters are unreliable narrators. This handwritten script allowed Nivola to build a deep, multifaceted character, portraying someone outwardly confident and charming yet inwardly torn by emotional turmoil.

Dickie is idolized by many, especially his nephew Tony Soprano, played in the film’s later scenes by Michael Gandolfini, James Gandolfini’s son. Nivola explains that while Dickie presents a polished exterior, it conceals intense inner conflict, swinging rapidly from tenderness to fury. He describes this duality as

“the love and the idolatry, the rage and the disgust, and this shock of what he does,”

encapsulating the tragedy at the heart of Dickie’s story.

From Heritage to Performance Preparation

Born in Boston with Italian roots tracing back to sculptor Costantino Nivola, Alessandro’s upbringing combined influences from Boston and Vermont, where he attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University. His stage work includes a Broadway debut opposite Helen Mirren in A Month in the Country, earning him a Drama Desk Award nomination. Nivola emphasizes the importance of spontaneity in acting, stating that

“really good actors are just alive in the moment and feel very spontaneous and unpredictable.”

To authentically portray Dickie, Nivola committed to extensive preparation. He spent six months working with a dialect coach to perfect the character’s voice and spent time with men from crime backgrounds, observing that many had boxing experience, which shaped his portrayal of Dickie’s physical bearing. Nivola shared that this added

“a roundedness to their back and shoulders,”

allowing him to adjust the character’s posture according to the power dynamics within scenes.

Immersive Research and Emotional Truth

Nivola’s home office reflects his dedication to his craft – filled with family photos and shelves of research books, such as Gay Talese’s Honor Thy Father and Al DeMeo’s memoir about his father Roy DeMeo, a notorious Gambino crime family member. These resources provided insight into the tension between fathers and sons in crime families, a recurring theme in the film. Nivola discovered that many sons were caught between idolizing their fathers’ power and grappling with the trauma inflicted by their abusive tendencies.

This paradox mirrors Dickie’s own struggle and his desire to break the cycle of violence in his relationship with Tony Soprano, although the film poignantly acknowledges how difficult escaping such legacies can be. Nivola’s interpretation lends emotional depth to the story’s exploration of family, power, and betrayal.

Life Beyond the Screen and Future Projects

Currently based in Brooklyn, Nivola recently spent the summer in Cleveland while his children, Sam and May, worked on Noah Baumbach’s adaptation of Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise for Netflix, starring Adam Driver. Meanwhile, his wife Emily Mortimer balanced acting, writing, and directing duties on the Amazon series The Pursuit of Love. He joked,

“We’ve been sitting at home in Cleveland waiting for our kids to come home from work,”

revealing the family dynamic amid busy schedules.

Despite the ups and downs of Hollywood, Nivola plans to continue his approach of prioritizing visionary directors over the size of roles, believing firmly that “that’s the more interesting path.” After his acclaimed performance in The Many Saints of Newark, this career experiment has clearly borne fruit, setting the stage for a new chapter that promises artistic fulfillment and greater recognition.

Personal Insights and Quirks

In a candid moment during the interview, Nivola shared some lighter side details, revealing Robert DeNiro as his celebrity crush and naming Jabba The Hutt as his favorite villain. When asked about the last thing he does before sleeping, he admitted to worrying. He also recounted his favorite cheesy pickup line learned from Michael Gandolfini:

“Are you a fart cuz you just blew me away.”

Regarding what he would buy if he had $1,000 to spend immediately, his answer was humorously practical: 50 tickets to The Many Saints of Newark. Among places he hopes to visit is Hollywood’s Magic Castle, and he expressed regret over all outfits worn during fashion shoots, preferring his own everyday clothes. For music, the first album he ever owned was the 45 rpm of Centerfold by the J Geils Band, and he treasures the rainbow bagel as his favorite bagel choice.

His nod to favorite Hollywood “Chris” went to Christopher Walken, showing a mix of admiration and personal humor. Nivola’s warm personality emerged through these moments, complementing his intense and passionate professional persona.