All articles tagged with #italian american
Donald Trump claimed at an Italian-American event that Hollywood once banned Italian names in mob films, citing a gangster named 'Alan Jones.' Fact-checkers and film historians confirm no such film exists, noting that Italian names have been standard in gangster movies since the 1950s, with only a brief exception during the early Hays Code era.
TikTok’s obsession with the chicken cutlet spotlights a single Italian-American signature, but the article argues that Italy’s fried-food tradition runs far deeper—Naples’ street-fried fritti, supplì, arancini, fried artichokes, and other regional specialties—shaped by thrift, place, and history. The cutlet became the emblem for Italian-Americans because it was affordable and easy to fry in tenements, while many other fried dishes faded or moved to shops rather than home kitchens. Today, a health-conscious culture and the appeal of air fryers influence how fried foods are viewed, but the piece urges recognizing a richer, more layered fritti heritage beyond a single dish.
A 13-foot replica of Christopher Columbus, toppled in Baltimore during the 2020 protests, has been installed outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds. The installation, brought to Washington by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations with White House involvement, is part of Trump-era efforts to reinstall statues removed after the Floyd protests and to honor Italian American heritage ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. The statue sits near the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery and is fenced off from close public viewing.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito's agent, Sean Stellato, known as the "Italian Stallion of sports agents," has gained attention for his Italian-American style and support for DeVito. Stellato, who will be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, has been seen wearing a black pinstripe suit and a gold bracelet, and even planted a kiss on DeVito's father during a game. DeVito's success on and off the field has made him popular among fans, and his family has embraced the spotlight by hosting Italian-themed tailgates.
Tommy DeVito, the rookie quarterback for the New York Giants, has brought wins and swagger to the struggling team. Despite not having impressive stats, DeVito has led the Giants to two consecutive victories and has become a folk hero among fans. He has embraced his Italian heritage, using the classic Italian fingers-up expression as a team rallying point. However, it remains uncertain if DeVito will retain the starting job once Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor return from injury.
Pat Cooper, a stand-up comedian known for his acerbic humor about his Italian American heritage, has died at the age of 93. He gained fame in the 1960s with appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Jackie Gleason Show," and was credited with coining the phrase "bada-bing." Cooper released several albums and appeared in movies such as "Analyze This" and "Analyze That." He was also a frequent guest on Howard Stern's radio show. Survivors include his wife, children, and grandchildren.
"About My Father" is a comedy film starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, directed by Laura Terruso. The movie follows an Italian-American man named Sebastian who falls in love with a woman from a WASP family, leading to a culture clash between the two families. The film attempts to replicate the success of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and the "Fockers" franchise, but falls short of being genuinely provocative or disturbing. De Niro's performance is the highlight of the film, but it would have worked better as a period piece.