For Frank Vincent, it's all about being a gangster

Can one line in a movie by a supporting actor truly stand the test of time? Just ask Frank Vincent, and he’ll tell you.

“Go home and get your shine box.”

Vincent has had numerous supporting roles in legendary mafia/tough-guy movies with iconic actors. Amid the galaxy of stars, Vincent, 71, has left his mark on fans.

But how does he play a gangster so well? Sure, most of us think we can do it. But can you do it opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in the 1990 hit “Goodfellas"? Or opposite De Niro and Pesci in the 1995 hit “Casino”? 

Probably not. So what’s Vincent’s secret? To play a gangster you have to know one, or in Vincent’s case - many.

“I knew so many gangsters, and I call on that experience with them for characters,” Vincent told Pet Rock.

Vincent’s career began on the nightclub circuit where he made music with his good buddy  Pesci during the 1960s. Vincent is quick to point out that he never wanted to actually be a gangster because he saw how “ruthless” they can be behind the glitz and glamour.

“People admire that lifestyle, but they [gangsters] will kill you in a minute,” he said.

But that didn’t stop Vincent from taking mental notes on what he saw in nightclubs.

“We were around them for so much time, and even at their worst time, they’re intriguing characters,” he said.

So when Vincent tells Pesci to “Go home and get your shine box,” it all came from he and Pesci’s time in a club watching real gangsters Billy Batts and Tommy DeVito.

“He’s the most comfortable person to work with,” Vincent said of Pesci. “We don’t have to speak to each other. It’s an artistic thing that happens.”

Vincent says their common bond over music is how the chemistry was born. Both soon found out that the comedy bond they had was stronger. That’s when they caught Martin Scorsese’s eye in “The Death Collector.”

Scorsese was aware of the chemistry and both were cast in the 1980 hit “Raging Bull,” also starring De Niro.

“He [Scorsese] saw something in me and Joe, and we were a unit at that time," Vincent said. "Marty has a great ability to cast the right people in the right spots.”

“Raging Bull” was the first big hit for Vincent and the tip of the iceberg for his gangster typecast. When asked if things would have been different if someone other than Scorsese discovered him, Vincent shrugged it off.

“Who knows? Things might have been better," Vincent said. "If Steve Spielberg saw me I might have been in 'Jaws.' “

Thankfully, Vincent found his niche starring in one major mob movie after another. Unlike most actors who are bitter about being typecasted in a particular role, Vincent is thankful for what he has accomplished.

“You take what God gives you," Vincent said, "and relish it.”

Vincent is still going strong and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. His new movie, “Chicago Overcoat” airs this month on Showtime (see schedule). Vincent portrays an aging hit man who tries to get back a piece of the glory days. The movie also stars Kathrine Narducci ("A Bronx Tale"), Danny Goldring ("The Dark Knight"), Mike Starr ("Goodfellas"), Armand Assante ("American Gangster," "Gotti"), and Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach ("W").

In “Chicago Overcoat,” Vincent steps out of the supporting role to take his first lead in a major motion picture. Yet, he won’t deviate from what has made him a great character actor.

“You establish a technique on how to develop characters," Vincent said. "Everyone does it their own way and that’s what makes it fun.”

For more information on Vincent visit frankvincent.com and while you’re there check out the talking Billy Batts MOBblehead doll.