Award given to Hoboken-born actor

The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) has announced the 2012 recipient of the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award is Hoboken-born, Hasbrouck Heights-raised Rutgers alumnus Adam Mucci. The award is named after the late actor and festival co-founder Robert Pastorelli, and is presented each year to a New Jersey native who has succeeded in acting through hard work and determination.
Currently appearing on the Emmy-, SAG- and Golden Globe Award-winning “Boardwalk Empire,” Mucci’s other television credits include “Blue Bloods,” “Law and Order,” “Third Watch,” and “The Sopranos.” As a “Boardwalk Empire” cast member, Mucci has been recognized by the Screen Actors Guild with their 2011 and 2012 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Mucci appeared in the acclaimed films “Revolutionary Road” and “Little Children” with Kate Winslet, and has performed with Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and Will Ferrell. His breakout performance was as Agent Harold Reinecke in Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies.” In addition to Mann, Mucci has also worked with Martin Scorsese, Sam Mandes, Barry Levinson and Adam McKay.
The committee that selects the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award winner includes Gwen Pastorelli, sister of Robert. It looks for candidates with a progression of work in theater, commercials, television and film. “We are delighted to present Adam with this award in memory of my brother,” said Pastorelli. “He completely embodies the profile and spirit in which the award was established, plying determination and hard work to succeed in the creative yet competitive business of acting.”
Prior recipients include Ronnie Marmo, Kevin Interdanoto and Samantha Ivers.
The award will be presented at the GSFF 2012 Awards Dinner on March 25 at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, N.J. Mucci will also join past recipients of the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award at a March 22 tribute to Robert Pastorelli at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, N.J. After comments and a montage of clips from Pastorelli’s career in film and television, the GSFF will present a free screening of “Michael,” costarring John Travolta, Andie MacDowell and William Hurt.