Joe Joe’s memCo-Director, Producer, Co-Writer

Born in the Bronx, Joe Cirillo was a member of the NYPD for 20 years. He retired and entered the world of film thanks to the help of director Mike Nichols, who got Joe his first film role in The Godfather. Other films include Ghostbusters, Splash, Harry and Tonto, and Someone to Watch Over Me. Joe co-starred as Detective Malfitano in the TV series Eischeid starring Joe Don Baker, and was also the assistant to the show’s producer, Jay Daniel…and was the technical adviser and location scout.

Mr. Cirillo’s history with the NYPD led him to become the technical adviser for the Kojak TV series. His time on the set allowed Mr. Cirillo to develop a close friendship with Telly Savalas, and he eventually became Savalas’ right hand man for many years, both in his personal life and professionally, when Telly directed and produced his own films. Joe contributed many story lines to Kojak then later began developing and writing his own film scripts.

As a Location Scout, Mr. Cirillo worked on many commercials and movies including They Call Me Bruce. On the film NY COP, Joe was location manager, production manager, and unaccredited writer (but was credited as Associate Producer). Mr. Cirillo was simultaneously the President and co-owner of Film World Security and Movie World Security – each providing security to film and television sets, and to celebrities alike. Some clients included Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks, Jackie Gleason, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. As a director, Mr. Cirillo has also worked on commercials and TV pilots, including a cooking TV series. Mr. Cirillo serves as a Board Trustee for the Long Island Motion Picture Arts Center and Museum.

Joe is was the executive producer of a faith-based TV series, You Feed Us, a hybrid of a cooking show and talk show. Joe’s recently published memoirs are now available on AMAZON.

A recent article about Joe can be read by clicking here.

Read a Newsday story about Joe by clicking here.