Charlie Picerni

Biography

Charlie Picerni, a native of Corona Queens, New York, was born into an Italian family as the fourth of five siblings. His journey in the entertainment industry began after he decided to leave behind his construction job in Manhattan and pursue a career in Hollywood. Inspired by his brother, actor Paul Picerni, who was known for his role in the TV show "The Untouchables (1959)", Charlie ventured into the world of stunts and stand-in work.

Moving his family to California, Charlie quickly made a name for himself as a talented stuntman and stunt coordinator. His big break came when he became the stunt coordinator for the popular TV series "Starsky and Hutch (1975)", where he also served as Paul Michael Glaser's stunt double. It was during this time that Charlie's potential as a director was recognized by industry giants like Aaron Spelling and Duke Vincent.

Transitioning from stunt coordinating to second unit-directing, Charlie began to leave his mark on television, working on shows like "Kojak (1973)", "Magnum, P.I. (1980)", and "T.J. Hooker (1982)". His directorial talents were further showcased in episodes of various hit series produced by industry heavyweights such as Aaron Spelling, Leonard Goldberg, and Stephen J. Cannell.

Charlie's impressive work caught the attention of Warner Brothers producer Joel Silver, leading to collaborations on blockbuster films like "Die Hard (1988)", "Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)", and "Ghost (1990)". Alongside his success in the film industry, Charlie also honed his skills as an actor, appearing in numerous TV and film projects throughout his career.

In his pursuit of expanding his directorial repertoire, Charlie dedicated two years to studying at the prestigious Beverly Hills Playhouse. This commitment to his craft culminated in the production of his feature film "Three Days to Vegas (2007)", which boasted a star-studded cast including Peter Falk, Rip Torn, and George Segal. His directorial prowess was further validated with his successful staging of Ayn Rand's play, "Night of January 16th", at the Odyssey Theatre.

As a multifaceted talent in the motion picture industry, Charlie is a member of the esteemed Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Continuing to push boundaries and explore new horizons, he is currently immersed in the development and production of his passion project, "Spaghetti Park", which he will both produce and direct. Charlie Picerni's remarkable journey from a construction worker in New York to a respected director in Hollywood is a testament to his unwavering dedication and versatile skill set.