Harvey Keitel Bio
Harvey Keitel is an American actor and film producer, known for his portrayal of morally ambiguous and tough guy characters. He rose to prominence during the New Hollywood movement and has held a long-running association with director Martin Scorsese, starring in six of his films: Who’s That Knocking at My Door, Mean Streets, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ, and The Irishman. He is also recognized for his work with director Quentin Tarantino, portraying Mr. White in Reservoir Dogs and Winston Wolf in Pulp Fiction.
Keitel received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Mickey Cohen in Bugsy. He won the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The Piano. Keitel’s other notable films include Blue Collar, Thelma & Louise, Reservoir Dogs, Bad Lieutenant, Pulp Fiction, and National Treasure.
Early Life and Background
Harvey Keitel was born on May 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York City, as the youngest child in a Jewish family. His mother, Miriam, immigrated from Romania, while his father, Harry, came from Poland. The family owned and operated a luncheonette, and his father also worked as a hat maker. Keitel grew up in the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn, alongside his elder siblings, Renee and Jerry.
He attended Abraham Lincoln High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marines at the age of 17. After his discharge, Keitel worked as a court stenographer for about a decade before embarking on his acting career.
Path to Hollywood
Keitel studied under renowned acting teachers Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, as well as at the HB Studio. He began landing roles in Off-Broadway productions, which led to an audition with filmmaker Martin Scorsese. This audition resulted in a starring role in Scorsese’s first feature film, Who’s That Knocking at My Door, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the two.
Keitel gained further recognition with his role in Scorsese’s Mean Streets, which also served as Robert De Niro’s breakthrough film. He continued to work with Scorsese in several projects, including Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Taxi Driver, where he played a pivotal role as Jodie Foster’s character’s pimp.
Harvey Keitel Career
Early Career (1966–1978)
Keitel’s early career included significant roles in films directed by notable filmmakers. He starred in Paul Schrader’s Blue Collar, Ridley Scott’s The Duellists, and James Toback’s Fingers. He was initially cast as Captain Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now but was replaced after a week of filming due to creative differences.
Throughout the late 1970s, Keitel continued to establish himself as a versatile actor, often portraying tough characters. He appeared in films such as Copkiller and Falling in Love, and he was involved in numerous projects during this prolific period.
Breakthrough (1990s)
Keitel’s career took a significant turn in the 1990s with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, which he also co-produced. His performance as Mr. White was widely acclaimed and marked a new phase in his career. He followed this with a powerful performance in Bad Lieutenant, showcasing his ability to tackle complex and challenging roles.
In 1991, Keitel received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Bugsy, further solidifying his status in Hollywood. He also starred in the critically acclaimed film The Piano, for which he won the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Notable Works and Milestones
Keitel’s signature works include Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and The Piano. His performances have earned him numerous accolades and recognition as one of the leading actors of his generation.
Harvey Keitel Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Harvey Keitel has received several nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Bugsy.
Harvey Keitel Awards Won
Harvey Keitel has won notable awards, including the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The Piano.
Harvey Keitel Family
Harvey Keitel was in a long-term relationship with actress Lorraine Bracco from 1982 to 1993, which ended acrimoniously and led to a custody battle over their daughter, Stella. He has a son, Hudson, from a previous relationship with ceramic artist Lisa Marie Karmazin.
In 2001, Keitel married Israeli-Canadian actress Daphna Kastner, with whom he has a son named Roman.
Personal Life
Keitel became an honorary citizen of Maramureș County, Romania, in July 2017. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his career while also being involved in various philanthropic endeavors.
