TV: Fidelity FutureStage Celebrity Artist Chazz Palminteri

One of the most exciting aspects of the Fidelity FutureStage program is the access that it gives the students to the professional world of theater. In this video segment you'll see and hear stage, film and television star Chazz Palminteri explain his experiences being part of the Fidelity FutureStage program.

New York-born and raised Chazz Palminteri grew up in a tough area of the Bronx and it gave young Calogero (Palminteri's given first name) the life lessons that would later prove very useful. He graduated from TheodoreRooseveltHigh School and started out pursuing his craft in 1973 studying with Lee Strasberg at the Actor's Studio. He appeared off-Broadway in the early 1980s while paying his dues as a bouncer and doorman in nightclubs, among other jobs. In 1986 he headed west and found that "tough guy" persona in such TV shows as "Wiseguy", "Matlock" and "Hill Street Blues". In films he started off playing a 1930s-style gangster in Sylvester Stallone's "Oscar". Although his roles were sharp, well-acted and with a distinct edge to them, there was nothing in them to show that he was capable of stronger leading parts. Then in 1988 he wrote himself a play entitled "A Bronx Tale," a powerful one-man stage commentary in which he depicted his Bronx childhood in great detail. Palminteri brought each and every character to life (18 in all) in this autobiographical piece -- his friends, enemies, even his own family. He showcased for years in both Los Angeles and New York, finally sparking the interest of his film idol, Robert De Niro. DeNiro, wanting to direct for the first time, saw the potential of this project and brought both it and the actor/writer to the screen. Palminteri played one of the flashier roles, Sonny, a gangster, in the movie version. An unknown film commodity at the time, he had stubbornly refused to sell his stage property (the offers went into the seven figures) unless he was part of the package as both actor and screenwriter. DeNiro, who became his mentor, backed him up all the way, and the rest is history. A Bronx Tale was a major crowd pleaser as well as a critical hit. Other important projects quickly fell his way. He received a well-deserved Oscar nomination the following year for his portrayal in Woody Allen's hilarious jazz-era comedy Bullets Over Broadway of a Runyonesque-type hit man. He was on the right side of the law in The Usual Suspects. He has appeared in many stage and screen roles since, most recently bringing his celebrated play, A Bronx Tale to Broadway for a limited run.

"Fidelity FutureStage is designed to bring theatre to life for these students and to encourage them to explore and develop their own interests and talents in the arts," said Jennifer K. Brown, Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments. "Having so many renowned artists share their experiences and passion for their craft is a great addition to this year's program."

Fidelity FutureStage enables over 600 NYC students from 10 different public schools to get a real view into the world of Broadway theater. Students learn firsthand from industry professionals about acting, playwriting, directing and all the behind-the-scenes production. They also attend Broadway shows and each student writes a 10-minute play. Ultimately, one play from each school is chosen and performed by the students at New World Stages this June.