Frank Cassini - Bio

Frank Cassini has been intrigued by the movie industry since he and his first generation Italian Canadian brothers attended Saturday matinees in Toronto, Ontario in their youth. Upon completing high school he registered and graduated HUMBER COLLEGE's Film & TV Production Program with a diploma for the behind the scenes position of camera operator. Although the Thespian's of Humber were not thrilled at his participation, it was during this tenure that he found a passion for acting, and has never looked back.

In 1982 Cassini headed to New York to study at Uta Hagen's HB STUDIO in Greenwich Village, and was also accepted into the 13th Street Theatre, where he made his creative home and landed his first NY production, THE INDIAN WANTS THE BRONX. Frank auditioned and was cast in an Off-Off Broadway play called DETECTIVE STORY. More plays followed while he supported himself as many actors do, by working in restaurants.

During his stint in NY, Cassini was introduced to Julie Bovasso, an award winning Off-Broadway, actress, playwright and director, who had a reputation of being tough and often volatile. The two hit it off immediately, leading Frank to study under her for a few years.

While under her tutelage, she arranged an audition for him with Bonnie Timmerman for MIAMI VICE which landed him a guest starring role. Later she arranged an audition with Norman Jewison while casting MOONSTRUCK and Frank landed the role filming opposite Cher. As luck would have it, the opening scene of the film was altered and Frank suffered his first cutting room floor incident.

NY is full of surprises, and Frank came into the possession of a script titled THE JONES BOY, a play in one act, a dark depiction about heroin addicts. He worked on it in Julie's class vowing to mount it one day,

It was around this time that Frank had set his sights on the world renowned Actors Studio, and set out to gain entry. Of course it had a reputation of being very difficult to gain admission and it wasn't until 1997 when his relationship as a student under Susan Peretz garnered him an audition opportunity, which ultimately took him to the final audition and full acceptance with privileges.

THE JONES BOY was accepted at Peretz' Third Street Theatre, a play Frank co- produced and starred in the lead role. It won four LA Critics' Dramalogue Awards for - Best Ensemble, Direction, Costume, and Set Design. By then Julie Bovasso had succumbed to cancer and Frank dedicated the play to her

Having tasted the TV & Film spotlight, Cassini headed to Vancouver, BC, also dubbed Hollywood North, which was the third largest filming community in North America, and a place where he felt his opportunities would be greater.

In Vancouver he landed roles in such series as THE COMMISH, VIPER, COBRA, OUTER LIMITS, X-FILES, MILLENIUM, and films such as CRACKERJACK with Christopher Plummer, TIMECOP, FLINCH, JOHNNY'S GIRL with Treat Williams, HOLE IN THE SKY with Sam Elliott, FINAL CUT, and BYE BYE BIRDIE.

After working for several years honing his craft, Frank felt he might be more successful back in LA, where he landed a role in NYPD BLUE Other roles ensued, but he felt once again, that his working opportunities were better in Vancouver where he returned in 2000.

Continuously working, Frank landed roles in the OUTER LIMITS, THE FEARING MIND, STARGATE SG-1, WOLFLAKE, TWILIGHT ZONE, DEAD LIKE ME, COLD SQUAD, DEAD ZONE, DAVINCI'S INQUEST, DAVINCI'S CITY HALL, THE 4400, SAVED, INTELLIGENCE, EVERY SECOND COUNTS to name a few.

In 2003 he and his brother John were collaborating on their first feature as writers, along with the guarantee of playing two of the lead roles. The LA filmed BREAK A LEG was directed by Monika Mitchell who later become John's wife. BREAK A LEG went on to win many U.S. film festival awards, and starred well-known actors such as Molly Parker, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Beals, Eric Roberts and Eric McCormack.

And soon after Frank returned to the stage in Raul Sanchez Inglis' IN THE EYES OF GOD, which he dedicated to Susan Peretz who had lost her recent battle to cancer in Los Angeles. Cassini later acted in Inglis VICE which hit the big screens last fall.

The long and winding road for Cassini, seems to be easier and easier to traverse, as the year 2009 is full of promise and excitement. His experience, dedication and relentless honing of his craft have begun to merit results. Cassini can currently be seen on the big screen in the blockbuster WATCHMEN, and in the upcoming CTV Production THE BRIDGE, whose pilot was shot last summer in Toronto. The first season has been picked up by the CBS giant and will go to camera in Toronto, mid April.

The opportunities for Cassini's future seem endless.