About

Anthony Robert Grasso is an award-winning actor, director, and educator. 

As an actor, film credits include Gun Hill Road (Sundance), The Pigeon Egg Strategy (Sundance), I’m Thinking of Ending Things, The Blind Date, and Kill Al. Grasso can be seen on television in The Sinner, FBI, Jessica Jones, Gotham, and Blue Bloods, to name a few. 

As a director, film credits include Crumb Cake, Extradition, My Life As A Doormat, and Blood Allegiance.  

Mr. Grasso is the founder of ARG Studio with students who also work regularly in film, television, and theater. He previously served as the Artistic Director of Breakthrough Studios for 16 years. In addition to in-person and virtual classes, he teaches masterclasses and workshops for colleges, universities, and performing arts studios around the world.

 

  • Southern Shorts Awards
    Best Director
    Crumb Cake

    Hell’s Kitchen Film Festival
    Best Director
    Extradition

    Cutting Room International Short Film Festival
    Best Actor
    Soothsayer

    Southern Shorts Awards
    Best Actor
    The Blind Date

    Cutting Room International Short Film Festival
    Best Actor
    The Blind Date

    Best Short Competition
    Best Actor
    Swiped Right

    Genre Celebration Festival
    Best Actor
    Kill Al

    The Long Island International Film Expo
    Best Actor
    Kill Al

    Two Roads International Film Festival
    Best Actor
    Kill Al

    The Long Island International Film Expo
    Best Supporting Actor
    Wink

    Tom Parisi Award
    Merit in The Art of Acting
    Brightside Film Festival

  • Directed by Anthony Robert Grasso
    Crumb Cake
    Extradition
    My Life as a Doormat
    Welcome to the World

    The Pigeon Egg Strategy*
    Sichems (Lead)
    Dir. Max Makowski

    Gun Hill Road*
    Chef (Supporting)
    Dir. Rashaad Ernesto Green

    I’m Thinking of Ending Things
    Diner Manager (Supporting)
    Dir. Charlie Kaufman

    Kill Al**
    Brandon (Lead)
    Dir. Renee Stork/Walt Brandes

    The Blind Date**
    Adam (Lead)
    Dir. Peter Danish

    *Sundance
    **Best Actor

    View Full IMDb

  • The Sinner
    Mr. Hughes (Co-Star)
    S3.E2 — USA

    FBI
    Mike Rizzo (Guest Star)
    S1.E21 — CBS

    Jessica Jones
    Ian (Recurring)
    S2 — Marvel

    Gotham
    Ganza (Guest Star)
    S1.E11 — FOX

    Blue Bloods
    Sergeant (Co-Star)
    S6.E16 — CBS

    View Full IMDb

  • The Charter Members
    Danny (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
    Primary Stages — Dir. Jim Dipaola

    The Last Sortie
    Frank (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
    Theatre for the New City — Dir. G. Bartenieff

    Hey Buddy
    Sal (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
    The American Jewish Theater — Dir. Bryan Goluboff

    Italian American Reconciliation
    Aldo Scalicki
    Barrington Stage Company — Dir. Rob Ruggerio

    View Full Résumé

Fun Facts

  • Born in Brooklyn.

  • Raised Italian-Jewish.

  • 35+ Films, 63 Nominations, and 84 Awards—including 9 for Best Actor and 2 for Best Director.

  • Studied at The Actors Studio, The Neighborhood Playhouse, Larry Moss Studio (NYC), as well as The British American Drama Academy (Oxford, England).

  • Studied Fine Art at the School of Visual Arts.

  • Hobbies include photography, portrait painting, and classic films.

  • Enjoys long road trips and international travel.

  • Connoisseur of wine and visiting vineyards.

  • Can create a mean Italian sauce and meatballs.

  • Loves theatre and has seen 250+ productions.

  • 19+ Years as Father of College Daughter.

  • 20+ Years as Husband to Actor/Writer/Producer, Diane Harrington.