who played the lawyer in my cousin vinny?

by Lawson Schroeder 7 min read

"My Cousin Vinny" cast Joe Pesci — an actor best known for playing serious criminals in gory dramas — as the earnest but ill-equipped defense lawyer Vinny in a courtroom comedy. It also cast a virtually unknown actress, Marisa Tomei, who was more than 20 years Pesci's junior to play his brash and brainy fiancée Lisa.Feb 3, 2022

Who are the actors in my Cousin Vinny?

My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, from a screenplay by Dale Launer. The film stars Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill, and Fred Gwynne in his final film appearance. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and released on March 13, 1992.

Is 'My Cousin Vinny' the greatest courtroom movie of all time?

It certainly belongs in the conversation for consideration as the greatest courtroom movie of all time. No matter where you rank it in the hierarchy of great legal movies, My Cousin Vinny is the one representative of this genre that should be taught in law school.

Is My Cousin Vinny good for Law School?

My Cousin Vinny provides plenty for a law school class to discuss regarding the role and limitations of circumstantial evidence.

What happened to Vinny and Lisa in my Cousin Vinny?

After Vinny rests for the defense, Trotter dismisses all charges. The judge congratulates Vinny and, as they drive away, Vinny and Lisa bicker about their wedding plans. My Cousin Vinny was released in the United States on March 13, 1992.

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Is Vinny a lawyer in My Cousin Vinny?

Bill's mother reminds him there is an attorney in the family: his cousin Vinny Gambini. Vinny travels to Alabama, accompanied by his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito. Although willing to take the case, Vinny is a personal injury lawyer from Brooklyn, newly admitted to the bar and with no trial experience.

How old was Joe Pesci My Cousin Vinny?

49Joe Pesci was 49, while Marisa Tomei was 27 when this movie was released.

Is My Cousin Vinny Based on a true story?

The Film Was Inspired by a Chance Encounter My Cousin Vinny was the brainchild of screenwriter Dale Launer. Launer told ABA Journal in 2012 that back in the early '70s, he met a guy who was waiting for his bar exam results.

What was judge Haller's first name?

Judge Chamberlain HallerFred Gwynne: Judge Chamberlain Haller.

Did Joe Pesci won an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny?

Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting RoleMTV Movie & TV Award for Best Breakthrough PerformanceMy Cousin Vinny/Awards

Was Vinny a real lawyer?

Vinny was a new lawyer and had no courtroom experience. This was a huge case for the small town county court that doesn't likely see a lot of murder cases. The judge quizzed Vinny on his trial history to confirm that he was experienced enough to take the case, particularly as he had passed the bar in a different state.

How old was Joe Pesci when home alone?

In the film, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern play robbers Harry and Marv. Goodfellas and Casino actor Pesci, not used to starring alongside children, devised a plan in order to evoke fear in Culkin: he intentionally avoided the child star, who was 10 at the time, in between takes.

How did Vinny know it was a Pontiac Tempest?

Vinny knows that the tiremarks were made by either a car similar to Billy's Buick Skylark or a 1963 Pontiac Tempest, because he knows both have similar wheel bases, tire sizes, body types and independent suspension.

Who did Marisa Tomei play in Goodfellas?

As good as Gwynne is, the best battle-of-wills byplay comes between Pesci and Marisa Tomei, who's a stitch as Vinny's tough-as-nails girlfriend Mona Lisa Vito. She's Pesci's best sparring partner this side of De Niro, batting back his sarcasm with perfectly timed retorts.

Does Mickey Haller know Bosch is his brother?

The Mickey Haller series consists of seven published novels, with the most recent published in 2019....Mickey Haller.J. Michael Haller, Jr.RelativesJ. Michael Haller Sr. (father; deceased) Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch (half-brother) Madeline Bosch (niece)NationalityAmerican12 more rows

Who is Harry Bosch's father?

Michael “Mickey” Haller, SrMichael “Mickey” Haller, Sr is Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller's father. He was a premiere criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. He died when Harry was 20 and Mickey was 5.

How much bail was set by the judge for Stanley and William?

32 How much bail did the judge set for William and Stanley at the arraignment? set a $200 bail for Vinny for his contempt-of-court infraction.

Storyline

Bill Gambini and Stanley Rothenstein are two friends from New York University who just received scholarships to UCLA. They decide to drive through the South. Once they arrive in Alabama, they stop at a local convenience store to pick up a few snacks. But, no sooner than they leave the store, they are arrested.

Did you know

The American Bar Association's publication, the ABA Journal, ranked the film #3 on its list of the "25 Greatest Legal Movies.

User reviews 305

Terrific comedy has two youths being arrested in Alabama for a crime they didn't commit but thankfully one of them has a cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci) who just happens to be a lawyer. The thick New York accent at first doesn't sit well with the South but soon his skills come out.

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What is the Japanese language plot outline for My Cousin Vinny (1992)?

What is the rating of My Cousin Vinny?

The film received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 86%, based on 56 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "The deft comic interplay between Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei helps to elevate My Cousin Vinny 's predictable script, and the result is a sharp, hilarious courtroom comedy." On Metacritic the film has a score of 68 out of 100 based on reviews from 23 critics. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale.

Where was My Cousin Vinny filmed?

Principal location of filming was Monticello, Georgia. My Cousin Vinny was a critical and financial success, with Pesci, Gwynne, and Tomei all praised for their performances. Tomei won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Attorneys have also lauded the film for its accurate depiction of court procedure and trial strategy.

What song did Pesci sing for Vinny Gambini?

Pesci later reprised the Vinny Gambini character for his 1998 album Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You, which contains the song "Yo, Cousin Vinny ". The album cover portrays Pesci in a red suit similar to the usher suit he wore in the film.

How much did My Cousin Vinny make?

With a budget of $11 million, My Cousin Vinny was more successful than anticipated, grossing $52,929,168 domestically and $11,159,384 internationally, bringing its overall worldwide total to $64,088,552.

What degree did Jonathan Lynn have in My Cousin Vinny?

Director Jonathan Lynn has a law degree from Cambridge University, and lawyers have praised the accuracy of My Cousin Vinny ' s depiction of courtroom procedure and trial strategy, with one stating that " [t]he movie is close to reality even in its details. Part of why the film has such staying power among lawyers is because, unlike, say, A Few Good Men, everything that happens in the movie could happen—and often does happen—at trial". One legal textbook discusses the film in detail as an "entertaining [and] extremely helpful introduction to the art of presenting expert witnesses at trial for both beginning experts and litigators"; furthermore, criminal defenders, law professors, and other lawyers use the film to demonstrate rules of evidence, voir dire, relevance, and cross examination.

Who is Stan Rothenstein?

Driving through Alabama in their metallic, mint-green 1964 Buick Skylark convertible, Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein, college students from New York who just got scholarships to UCLA, shop at a Sac-O-Suds convenience store and accidentally shoplift a can of tuna. After they leave, the store clerk is robbed and killed, and Bill and Stan are arrested for the murder. Due to circumstantial evidence and a confession to the shoplifting that is misconstrued as one to the shooting, Bill is charged with first-degree murder, and Stan as an accessory. Bill's mother reminds him there is an attorney in the family: his cousin Vinny Gambini. Vinny travels there, accompanied by his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito. Although willing to take the case, Vinny is a personal injury lawyer from Brooklyn, newly admitted to the bar and with no trial experience.

Who is Vinny Gambini?

The film deals with two young New Yorkers traveling through rural Alabama who are arrested and put on trial for a murder they did not commit and the comical attempts of a cousin, Vinny Gambini, a lawyer who had only recently passed the bar exam after several unsuccessful attempts, to defend them.

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Overview

My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, and written by Dale Launer. The film stars Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill, and Fred Gwynne in his final film appearance. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and released on March 13, 1992.

Plot

Driving through Alabama in their metallic mint-green 1964 Buick Skylark convertible, Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein, college students from New York who just got scholarships to UCLA, shop at a Sac-O-Suds convenience store and accidentally shoplift a can of tuna. After they leave, the store clerk is robbed and killed, and Bill and Stan are arrested for the murder. Due to circumstantial evidence and a confession to the shoplifting that is misconstrued as one to the shooting, Bill is c…

Cast

• Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini
• Ralph Macchio as Bill Gambini
• Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito
• Mitchell Whitfield as Stan Rothenstein

Development

Screenwriter Dale Launer had come up with the idea for My Cousin Vinny while he was in college in the 1970s, after hearing from a friend about a lawyer that had finally passed the bar after their 13th attempt. Launer thought it would be funny to have someone traveling through the southern United States, run into legal trouble, and end up being represented by that type of lawyer. Launer did not do much with the concept until after he had wrote a few successful screenplays such as Ruthless …

Release

My Cousin Vinny was released in the United States on March 13, 1992.

Reception

With a budget of $11 million, My Cousin Vinny was more successful than anticipated, grossing $52,929,168 domestically and $11,159,384 internationally, bringing its overall worldwide total to $64,088,552.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 87%, based on 60 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "The deft comic interplay between Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei helps to elevate My Cousi…

Legal accuracy

Director Jonathan Lynn has a law degree from Cambridge University, and lawyers have praised the accuracy of My Cousin Vinny's depiction of courtroom procedure and trial strategy, with one stating that "[t]he movie is close to reality even in its details. Part of why the film has such staying power among lawyers is because, unlike, say, A Few Good Men, everything that happens in the movie could happen—and often does happen—at trial". One legal textbook discusses the film in …

Sequels

In an interview on March 14, 2012, the film's screenwriter, Dale Launer, talked about a sequel he had written involving Vinny Gambini practicing law in England. Marisa Tomei dropped out. The studio hired another screenwriter to rework the script without Tomei's character. Eventually, the project was shelved.
In 2017, author Lawrence Kelter began a My Cousin Vinny novel series with Back to Brooklyn, wh…