Carmine Giovinazzo interview

"Just asking: A conversation with Carmine Giovinazzo"


Carmine Giovinazzo, as Det. Danny Messer in the hit television show "CSI: NY," has become a familiar face to television audiences. But the former baseball player, turned professional actor about a dozen years ago, is far from one-dimensional.

Feature film credits include "Black Hawk Down," "The Red Zone," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," "For Love of the Game," "The Big Brass Ring" and "In Enemy Hands."

His television credits include guest-starring roles in "The Guardian," "UC: Undercover," "Providence" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." He has appeared on all three "CSI" series.

The 32-year-old Staten Island native, in his now-familiar New York accent, talked frankly about life in Hollywood and future career goals as the show's season finale approaches next week.

"It's just about working," he said of his move to California. "We film 10 months out of the year, 12 hours a day. It takes eight days to film one episode."

Giovinazzo, on an intensive, week-long CBS promotional tour, stopped Wednesday in Chicago – in part to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox/Angels game. The former shortstop was once poised to sign a minor league contract. The former shortstop at Port Richmond High School and Wagner College in New York City was eying a minor league contract, before injury.


So what prompted you to get into acting?

I slipped a disc in 1993. It was probably the worst time of my life. I died in that period. I went through a lot. I walked around the room for six months banging into corners... I was going to school and then not going to school, and then I started running around Manhattan doing NYU films.

I had never been on stage. In fact, I had not acted since I was very young. I was an extra in the Woody Allen movie, 'Radio Days.' I was 10. I was a zoo scene. After a couple of months it came down to a choice between theater or sports. My choice was sports... I still think I could go out and play for Ozzie Guillen.

You got your break in the pilot episode of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer?'

Yeah. I was the first guy to be vampired. It was 1996.

Do you have a favorite food?

At the moment, lemon chicken.

How about a favorite junk food?

Chocolate.

Favorite band?

There are so many. I like The Pixies and Velvet Underground.

Not the Lt. Dan Band? ('CSI' co-star Gary Sinise's band.)

Yes. Thank you. Definitely. I am almost, probably, a certified groupie. I'm running out o words to say about Gary. As an actor, as a boss to employees, he treats everybody the same. He is easy to work with. You don't realize what he has accomplished. He's really cool about it. He comes in and you think he was there to repair the plumbing in the dressing room.

What do you like about acting?

I like reading people's stories. I like telling other people about it. My kick is recreating realness. That trips me out. It's a complete release, exposing your (creative) self to the fullest. It's unbelievable.

Danny Messer is a complex character; a former street gang member who has a love interest going with partner Lindsay Monroe. What is it like portraying him?

I have been fortunate to be able to explore all different areas of his character. He is kind of from the street and illegal side, yet Danny is someone who is an intellect and a scientist. He has this duality that makes him interesting... He has definitely grown. Gary (as Mac Taylor) and I have come a long way and have evolved in our relationship. Danny has become more responsible and level-headed. He wants to do well for the department and his boss.

Are you like Det. Danny Messer?

We have many of the same quirks and idiosyncrasies. I think the people who write have utilized who I am and what I brought to the character. I'd say 40 percent of me is in him; his passion and righteous ways, his frustration toward criminals. It is almost a personal mission for him to find that guilty party.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like to make music. I play guitar and write songs. I also like to paint. I have 21 pieces in a show on celebrity artists. I use oils, acrylics, pastels. I've even used spray paint.

I read you play roller hockey? Did you consult on this season's episode in which a women's roller-derby player is killed?

I'm always in the other story if there is something I'm interested in. I never saw a roller skate or roller rink... But in 'For Love of the Game' I did get to play baseball in Yankee Stadium. I thought, 'It's OK that you are in the middle of this Hollywood bull... I don't really mix into the Hollywood scene. I'm kind of a loner.

After the first season, when there was talk of the show getting canceled, what changed?

I think we came out with a bang. It was visually edgier the first season. But it's all about the characters' involvement and the writers knowing exactly who these guys are and how to write them.

What will the future hold? Viewers don't have to worry about seeing your fanny, do they?

I know. They've been pimping me out (laughs). But it's good to have some emotional, romantic involvements. In the series finale, something happens between me and another female character. Guess who? Jane from DNA. That's who I wish it was... It's funny with television. They are always experimenting.

What are your future plans?

I'm up for a role in 'The Take,' an independent film. It involves a robbery and I'm one of the investigators. It is supposed to start filming in June. I'm also trying to sell 'The Brink of Black,' a character story about a group of friends from New York. I began writing that six years ago. I figure it's time.

Any thoughts for budding actors?

"First, you have to love it. Like baseball, you can't be good unless you want it. Also, immerse yourself in the business side of things. Find a manager who is apt to work with you, then get busy. Do student films. Work for free. I did extras working in New York. You do whatever you can do until you can do what you want to do. Clarence Clemens from Bruce Springstein's E Street Band gave me that advice 12 years ago.