Balancing a career in professional wrestling with film and television work can mean a punishing travel schedule. Vinny Pacifico, an independent wrestler from Staten Island, New York, is working to make room for both.
Pacifico is set to appear in “I Dream of Pizza,” a comedy directed by Matt Provenzano. The story follows a gifted pizza maker who leaves Italy for New York City to open a restaurant, only to find it has been taken over by an Italian crime family. Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Michael Leavy, Giorgio Cantarini and Vic Dibitetto are also in the cast.
Pacifico said wrestling has helped him develop skills that carry over to acting. The film’s unusual mix of mob drama and animated-food-movie charm caught his attention right away.
“They pitched it to me as something like ‘Goodfellas’ meets ‘Ratatouille,’ and I thought, who could say no to that? I love ‘Ratatouille,’” he said. “I’m Italian, too, so this will be my first Italian film. I was excited, and we agreed to do it.”
He described the movie as a fun story with plenty of twists. Filming is planned in New York, with some scenes potentially shot in Italy. Pacifico also hinted that more cast announcements are on the way.
Pacifico said he feels fortunate to keep acting while continuing to wrestle. He has been working between Coastal Championship Wrestling in Florida and Hollywood Wrestling, and says he has no plans to leave the ring as his screen career develops.
“I want to do both for as long as I can. I don’t want to stop either one,” he said. Pacifico hopes to stay healthy enough to wrestle into his 60s or 70s, though he recognizes how demanding the work can be.
Travel, falls and wrestling with weapons all take a toll, he said. Pacifico tries to be disciplined about looking after his body, using physical therapy and other treatments, and making time to stretch and take care of himself while traveling. He recalled flying from coast to coast about eight times in one month, noting that long flights can be hard on the body.
He also named several independent wrestlers he thinks could make a strong impression in film. Richard Holliday and Ben Bishop came to mind first, while Pacifico said Gangrel would be fun to see in another movie.
Pacifico also praised Effy, saying there may be film work in the future and that he could excel in the medium. He called Rhett Titus an underrated performer, pointing to his comedic timing and charisma as well as his wrestling ability.
“I Dream of Pizza” is in pre-production. Pacifico can also be seen in “Mr. Reset and the Society of Turnbuckle & Bone” and “Between the Living and the Dead.”
