Bobby Cannavale (born Robert Michael Cannavale) is an American actor known for his commanding presence and versatile performances across television, film, and theatre.
He earned acclaim for roles as Bobby Caffey in Third Watch, Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire, and notable turns in The Station Agent, Blue Jasmine, Ant-Man, and many others. A two-time Emmy winner, he brings intensity and depth to both dramatic and comedic characters.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Robert Michael Cannavale
- Stage Name: Bobby Cannavale
- Born: May 3, 1970
- Age: 56 years old
- Birthplace: Union City, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Italian and Cuban descent
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: 188 cm (6 feet 2 inches)
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: Salvatore “Sal” Cannavale and Isabel Cannavale
- Siblings: Lisa Cannavale
- Spouse: Jenny Lumet
- Children: Three
- Relationship: divorced
- Net Worth: $10 million USD
Early Life and Education
Bobby Cannavale was born on May 3, 1970, in Union City, New Jersey, to Salvatore “Sal” Cannavale and Isabel Cannavale. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood and experienced his parents’ divorce during childhood. His ethnicity is Italian and Cuban. He has one sister, Lisa Cannavale.
He attended St. Michael’s Catholic School, where he served as an altar boy and sang in the chorus. He later spent time in Puerto Rico and Florida before returning to New Jersey and graduating from Union Hill High School.
Career
Bobby Cannavale began his career in theater without formal training and landed early film roles in the late 1990s, including Night Falls on Manhattan (1997) and The Bone Collector (1999).
His breakthrough came on television as FDNY paramedic Bobby Caffey on the NBC drama Third Watch (1999–2003). He earned his first major acclaim with guest appearances on Will & Grace, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2005.
His career gained significant momentum with standout performances in independent films such as The Station Agent (2003), Win Win (2011), and Blue Jasmine (2013).
He delivered a memorable turn as the volatile gangster Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire (2012), winning his second Emmy Award. Other notable TV work includes Nurse Jackie, Vinyl, Mr. Robot, Homecoming, Nine Perfect Strangers, and The Watcher.
In film, Cannavale has shown an impressive range across genres. He appeared in comedies like The Other Guys (2010), Spy (2015), and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), and joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jim Paxton in Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).
Cannavale maintains a strong presence in theater, earning Tony Award nominations for Mauritius and The Motherf**ker with the Hat. In 2025, he starred alongside Neil Patrick Harris and James Corden in the Broadway revival of Art.
He continues to work steadily with upcoming projects, including the lead role in the series Scarpetta (as Pete Marino) and the Netflix series Man on Fire.
Bobby Cannavale remains a prolific and in-demand actor, balancing high-profile projects in drama, comedy, and action while remaining active in theatre.
Awards and Nominations
- Two Primetime Emmy Awards
- Tony Award nomination
- Screen Actors Guild Award nominations
- Critical acclaim for Boardwalk Empire and independent films
Social Media
- Instagram: @bobby_cannavale
Personal Life
Bobby Cannavale, 56, was married to actress and screenwriter Jenny Lumet from 1994 to 2003. They share one son, actor Jake Cannavale.
Since 2012, he has been in a long-term relationship with Australian actress Rose Byrne. The couple, who often refer to each other as husband and wife, have two sons together: Rocco (born 2016) and Rafa (born 2017). He maintains close ties with all three children and keeps his family life relatively private. His height is 188 cm.
Net Worth
Bobby Cannavale’s net worth is estimated at $10 million USD. He earns income primarily from acting roles in television series, films, and stage productions. Additional revenue comes from residuals, voice work, and long-term projects that provide sustained financial returns over his decades-long career.
Filmography
- Third Watch
- The Station Agent
- Boardwalk Empire
- Blue Jasmine
- Ant-Man
- Spy
- The Irishman
- Nine Perfect Strangers
- The Watcher
- Scarpetta and other upcoming projects