Sopranos‘ Gay Character ‘Johnny Cakes’ Kills Himself
“The actor who portrayed the gay lover of a closeted mobster on “The Sopranos” has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New York, police said. Police spokesman Lt. John Grimpel said John Costelloe was found dead in an apparent suicide at his Brooklyn home on Dec. 18. Police were called to his residence after family members were unable to reach him. The 47-year-old former New York City firefighter gained fame in 2006 when he was cast as short-order cook Jim “Johnny Cakes” Witowski opposite Joseph Gannascoli, who played gay mobster Vito Spatafore on the hit HBO show. Costelloe was performing as a hustler in a theater production of “Gang of Seven” at the time of his death.” [AP]
How sad. I never saw the show, but he was a good looking guy judging by the picture you posted. Wonder why.
Sad news. I will believe that “self-inflicted” when absolute proof is presented. And even then I’ll keep my doubts.
mental illness usually clinical depression, drugs (crystal mostly these days) or HIV (just found out or having treatment failure), it’s typically one of the three with gay men.
@ Qjersey
He played gay. Do we know that he WAS gay?
Interestingly, he has a featured role in the just-released “Doubt”–a movie on everyone’s short-list of multiple Oscar-contenders…too bad he left us with so many questions!
Bill – - – It’s sad enough the guy lost his life.
I really don’t like your public display of cynical apathetic fag projection on a good guy, or to read you classify him with your marrose negativity of “just another dead fag”.
Long live the good memories of someone who entertained and did it well . . .
Way to stay (cl)assy Bill!
The ‘Johnny Cakes’ story arc amidst the good but predictable Sopranos was refreshing. It was as if…as if gay people were…human beings? Compared to the rest of the cast who pretty much deserved what they got, Johnny was the only character I cared about.
@Dudous Migratorious: You know there actually was a bi-sexual mob boss that the storyline was based on. Some guys from his own crew killed him when they found out in order to shield themselves from the embarrassment should he be discovered. The guy who played Vito introduced the idea to the writers and producers and they incorporated it into the show.
I am saddened by his departure, not to mention the way it was done. What could have possesed him to do such a horrific act on himself? We do not know if he was gay, but none of the reported news mentioned him leaving a wife or kids behind. So who knows? But if he was, it is sad, that even in 2008, one has to hide the fact to sustain a carrer, especially in what should be the most gay-friendly field–entertainment. But as we all know, the moment they come out the roles keep slowing down, especially in the US. The Brits are a little better than in the US. But then again, Elton John didn’t come out till he was solidly established. At that point it wouldn’t have mattered if he sold another of his records or not.
Out actors face a tougher challenge. It seems many people cannot accept a gay actor playing a straight role involving a woman. Also, they are rarely considered for tough characters or in action roles, which tend to be more box office successes. As much as we would like the closeted entertainers(actors, athletes, singers) to come out, unless one is well established, it would be a career sucide to do so, even today.
An awful tragedy.
Knew him for years…he was straight.