Tony Ganios

About

Actor and power lifter who rose to fame playing traditional "tough guy" roles in films such as Continental Divide and Die Hard 2, and in television series such as Wiseguy and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. He starred in the Porky's cult comedy film trilogy in the 1980s and went on to appear alongside Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes, and Harvey Keitel in the 1993 crime thriller Rising Sun before he semi-retired from acting.

Before Fame

After graduating from Salesian High School in New Rochelle, he was awarded a partial Regent's scholarship by the state of New York. By the time he was just 21 years of age, he had the ability to bench press 2x his body weight. He premiered as an actor in the Philip Kaufman-directed, coming-of-age comedy-drama film The Wanderers in 1979.

Trivia

He began working as an insurance agent in New York City after he partially retired from the entertainment industry in the year 1993. He has an ardent interest and expertise in period weapons and armor, as well as ancient and medieval military history. 

Family Life

He was initially compelled to begin acting by his uncle Pete, who secured his audition spot for The Wanderers. He had an older half-brother named Louis who passed away in November of 2014.

Associated With

In his youth, he received training from Brazilian jiu-jitsu master and UFC founder Rorion Gracie. In Die Hard 2, he played the role of a mercenary who was famously killed with an icicle by John McClane, who is portrayed by Bruce Willis.