Danny DeVito and Jim Belushi Were Also Considered for Vinny
Before Joe Pesci landed the role of Vinny, several other actors were considered. Danny DeVito and Jim Belushi were both in the running. DeVito was initially rejected by screenwriter Dale Launer because Vinny was originally envisioned as a menacing mobster, and DeVito, standing under five feet tall, didn’t quite fit the bill. Although Launer passed on DeVito, the studio still sent him the script, sparking his interest before he eventually withdrew. The role was then offered to Jim Belushi, who declined the part—a decision he later regretted in an interview on the Dan Le Batard radio show.
Danny DeVito And Jim Belushi Were Also Considered For Vinny
“ONLY Mrs. Riley” Part Was Ad-Libbed by Joe Pesci
Vinny’s effectiveness as a lawyer shines through his direct, yet charming cross-examinations, where he skillfully dismantles unreliable testimonies. A prime example is when he questions the endearing, bespectacled Mrs. Riley, who claims to have seen the defendants at Sac-O-Suds. To test her vision, Vinny awkwardly stretches a tape measure across the courtroom, positioning himself 50 feet away from the witness. He asks Mrs. Riley how many fingers he’s holding up, and after the judge answers on her behalf, Vinny adds, “Now, Mrs. Riley, and ONLY Mrs. Riley, how many fingers am I holding up now?” The “ONLY Mrs. Riley” line was a clever ad-lib by Joe Pesci, adding an extra touch of humor to the scene.
“ONLY Mrs. Riley” Part Was Ad Libbed By Joe Pesci
