1. Overview
Enrico Colantoni is a Canadian actor and director, widely recognized for his versatile performances across film, television, and web series. Born on February 14, 1963, in Toronto, Ontario, Colantoni has built a notable career portraying a diverse range of characters. His most prominent television roles include Elliot DiMauro in the sitcom Just Shoot Me!, Keith Mars in the drama series Veronica Mars, the crime lord Carl Elias in Person of Interest, and Sergeant Greg Parker in the Canadian police drama Flashpoint. In film, he has appeared in significant productions such as Galaxy Quest, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Contagion, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Beyond acting, Colantoni has also ventured into directing, notably for television series.
2. Early life
Enrico Colantoni's early life was rooted in Toronto, Ontario, where he was born and raised. His background reflects a strong connection to his family's immigrant heritage and a dedicated pursuit of education in the dramatic arts.
2.1. Childhood and education
Colantoni was born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Gina, a garment worker, and Quintino Colantoni, a labourer and truck driver. Both of his parents were immigrants from Abruzzo, Italy. His older brother, Det. Sgt. Hector Colantoni, served as a police officer with the Toronto Police Service for 30 years before his retirement.
Colantoni initially pursued higher education at the University of Toronto, where he studied psychology and sociology. However, his passion for acting led him to transfer to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He further honed his craft at the Yale School of Drama, where he earned a MFA degree and was honored with the Carol Dye Award for his achievements.
3. Career
Enrico Colantoni has established a prolific career in the entertainment industry, encompassing a wide array of roles in film, television, web series, and video games, in addition to his work as a director. His career spans several decades, marked by both lead and supporting performances that have earned him widespread recognition. Notably, his older brother, a retired Toronto Police Service officer, provided advice that informed Colantoni's portrayal of Sergeant Greg Parker in Flashpoint.
3.1. Films
Colantoni has appeared in numerous films, ranging from major studio productions to independent features. His filmography includes:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Money Train | Dooley | |
| 1996 | Albino Alligator | Agent #3 | |
| 1997 | The Wrong Guy | Creepy Guy | |
| 1998 | Divorce: A Contemporary Western | Barry | |
| 1998 | Screwed: A Hollywood Bedtime Story | Jack Driscoll | |
| 1999 | Stigmata | Father Dario | |
| 1999 | Galaxy Quest | Mathesar | |
| 2001 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | The Murderer | |
| 2002 | Frank McKlusky, C.I. | Scout Bayou | |
| 2002 | The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest | Francis Benoit | |
| 2002 | Full Frontal | Arty / Ed | |
| 2003 | The Vest | Dad | Short film |
| 2004 | Criminal | Bookish Man | |
| 2007 | The Happiest Day of His Life | Divorced wedding guest | |
| 2008 | Sherman's Way | D.J. | |
| 2008 | My Mom's New Boyfriend | Enrico the Chef | |
| 2009 | Weather Girl | George | |
| 2010 | The Fighter and the Clown | Officer Ward | Short film |
| 2011 | The Chaperone | Dr. Etman | |
| 2011 | Servitude | Franz | |
| 2011 | Contagion | Dennis French | |
| 2013 | House of Versace | Gianni Versace | |
| 2014 | Veronica Mars | Keith Mars | |
| 2014 | Lines | Doctor | |
| 2015 | The Dark Stranger | Brendan Garrison | |
| 2017 | Justice League Dark | Felix Faust (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 2019 | Kill Chain | The Old Sniper | |
| 2019 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood | Bill Isler | |
| 2020 | Feel the Beat | Frank | |
| 2022 | Vandits | Ned | |
| 2024 | Humane | Bob | |
| 2024 | Mother Father Sister Brother Frank | Jerry Jennings |
3.2. Television
Colantoni has an extensive television career, featuring in lead, recurring, and guest roles across a variety of genres.
| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Night Heat | Episode: "The Wiseguy" | |
| 1987 | Friday the 13th: The Series | Adrian | Episode: "Root of All Evil" |
| 1994 | Law & Order | Ron Blocker | Episode: "Censure" |
| 1994 | New York Undercover | David Kinsoling | Episode: "After Shakespeare" |
| 1994-1995 | NYPD Blue | Danny Breen, Jr. | 2 episodes |
| 1995-1996 | Hope & Gloria | Louis Utz | 35 episodes |
| 1997 | Life's Work | Marty Cranepool | Episode: "Neighbors" |
| 1997 | The Member of the Wedding | Mr. Addams | Television film |
| 1997 | Cloned | Steve Rinker | Television film |
| 1997-2003 | Just Shoot Me! | Elliot DiMauro | 149 episodes |
| 2000 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Frankie | Episode: "Frankie Goes to Rutherford" |
| 2001 | The Outer Limits | Michael Burr | Episode: "Think Like a Dinosaur" |
| 2001 | James Dean | Elia Kazan | Television film |
| 2002-2004 | Kim Possible | Dr. Cyrus Bortel (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Whoopi | Victor | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2003 | Justice League | G. Gordon Godfrey (voice) | Episode: "Eclipsed" |
| 2003 | Missing | Charles Denton | Episode: "White Whale" |
| 2003 | Stargate SG-1 | Burke | Episode: "Evolution: Part 2" |
| 2004 | Century City | Frank Summers | Episode: "Sweet Child of Mine" |
| 2004 | Monk | Joe Christie | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Employee of the Month" |
| 2004-2007, 2019 | Veronica Mars | Keith Mars | 72 episodes |
| 2007 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Preston | Episode: "Leapin' Lizards" |
| 2007 | Numb3rs | Ben | Episode: "Chinese Box" |
| 2008 | Brothers & Sisters | Evan | Episode: "Compromises" |
| 2008 | Céline | René Angélil | Television film |
| 2008-2012 | Flashpoint | Sgt. Gregory Parker | Lead role; 75 episodes |
| 2009 | ZOS: Zone of Separation | Speedo Boy | TV miniseries |
| 2009 | Party Down | Gordon McSpadden | Episode: "Willow Canyon Homeowners Annual Party" |
| 2010 | Cra$h & Burn | Danny DeRossi | Episode: "Lawyers, Guns & Money" |
| 2010 | Bones | Micah Leggat | Episode: "The Doctor in the Photo" |
| 2011 | The Kennedys | J. Edgar Hoover | TV miniseries; 3 episodes |
| 2011-2016 | Person of Interest | Charlie Burton/Carl Elias | 23 episodes |
| 2013 | Cracked | Mike De Soto | Episode: "Fallen" |
| 2013 | Malibu Country | Leslie Sallinger | Episode: "Marriage, Malibu Style" |
| 2013 | Warehouse 13 | Anthony Bishop | Episode: "The Big Snag" |
| 2013 | Hot in Cleveland | Julian | Episode: "All My Exes" |
| 2014-2015 | Remedy | Allen Conner | Lead role; 20 episodes |
| 2014-2016 | The Mysteries of Laura | Captain Dan Hauser | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Republic of Doyle | Donny Pearl | Episode: "Smash Derby" |
| 2015 | Rookie Blue | K-9 Unit | Episode: "Perfect Family" |
| 2016-2018 | iZombie | Detective Lou Benedetto | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Powers | Senator Bailey Brown/Cobalt Knight | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | American Gothic | Mayor Conley | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Ransom | Joe Morris | Episode: "Joe" |
| 2017 | Madam Secretary | Jim Fox | Episode: "Convergence" |
| 2017 | Bad Blood | Bruno Bonsignori | 5 episodes |
| 2017 | Travelers | Vincent Ingram | 5 episodes |
| 2018 | The Good Fight | Patrick Basehart | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Westworld | Whitman | 3 episodes |
| 2021 | The Hot Zone: Anthrax | Rudy Giuliani | Episode: "Hell's Chimney" |
| 2021 | A Christmas Letter | Robert Marino | Television film |
| 2021 | Ghosts | Michael Davenport | Episode: "Possession" |
| 2021 | Under the Christmas Tree | Dad | Television film |
| 2021-2022 | Station Eleven | Brian | Recurring role, miniseries |
| 2021 | Private Eyes | Chief Cutler | Episode: "Angie Get Your Gun" |
| 2024 | Allegiance | Cpl. Vince Brambilla | Main role |
| 2024-present | The Trades | Jimi | Main role |
| 2024-present | English Teacher | Grant Moretti | Main role |
3.3. Web series
Colantoni has also extended his acting work to web-based series.
| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Carmilla | Sherman Hollis | Season 3, recurring role |
3.4. Video games
In addition to his live-action and voice roles, Colantoni has contributed to the video game industry.
| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Father Antonio | Also provided motion-capture |
3.5. As director
Colantoni has taken on directorial duties for several television episodes.
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | Remedy | 2 episodes |
| 2017-2018 | iZombie | 2 episodes |
4. Philanthropy
Since 2011, Enrico Colantoni has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly focusing on supporting first responders and advocating for animal welfare.
He has been heavily involved with The Tema Conter Memorial Trust, an organization dedicated to assisting first responders and other service personnel who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Colantoni became their official spokesperson and has consistently participated in their annual tribute gala held in Toronto each year since his involvement began.
Additionally, Colantoni has lent his support to the Companion Animal Protection Society's campaign, which advocates for the boycott of commercial pet stores. He created a video to help raise awareness about the issues addressed by this campaign.
5. Personal life
Enrico Colantoni was married to Nancy Snyder from 1997 to 2004. He later married Rosanna Francioni on November 11, 2011. Their wedding was described as quiet and beautiful, with fellow actor Hugh Dillon and his wife serving as witnesses.