I’ve expressed in the past how much of an impact I feel Tony Danza has made in the Italian-American world of entertainment—which I don’t think he gets nearly enough credit for…from his sitcoms to movies, music career (singing and dancing), Broadway, cookbooks…he really has done it all and is returning to the big screen as “Jon Martello Sr.” in the romantic-comedy “Don Jon” set for release on Sept. 27. I am sure just like Danza’s “Tony Micelli” character, this one will get the protesting folks up in arms especially since the plot of the film revolves around Danza’s son being a sex/porn addict trying to find real love.

But what’s attracting me to this picture is that it’s about an Italian-American family from New Jersey, parts of it were filmed in Hackensack and the cast features Italian-Americans. From all the previews, it looks very authentic. Although the main star who plays Danza’s son, “Jon Martello Jr.” (and is the writer and director) of the movie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is of Jewish descent and is born and raised in LA…So I am very eager to see this film and what attracted him to this type of content for his writing and directorial debut. He certainly looks the part as an Italian from Jersey, he even has my haircut! As soon as I heard about this movie, I felt like I would have been perfect for this role. Whenever I see films or TV shows with these types of angles, my acting bug starts biting. Maybe someday before I leave this earth I will get a shot to be on a TV show or in a movie.

Sure I’ve done reality TV and acted in some minor independent movies…and yes I have been back on TV since my Vh1 days on the news and other spots here and there, but it’s always been meatball-related. I always wanted to be an entertainer and that’s really why I incorporate humor and other “shtick” into my Johnny Meatballs business from the “Meatball Song” to my dozens of other comedy videos on youtube, because besides food and cooking, it’s a deep-rooted passion of mine to ENTERTAIN.

I’ve told this story before but will share it again…

Almost fifteen years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I wrote a letter to Tony Danza and sent him my headshot. In my letter, I asked him for guidance, thinking that as a fellow paisan from the East Coast (him from Brooklyn, me from Jersey), that he would be able to relate to my dream of becoming an actor. So I explained that me and my half Irish-half Italian friend were planning a cross country drive to Hollywood to meet him and start our acting careers…

Let's just say I never took that roadtrip...I ended up getting involved with a girl who became my wife (and eventual ex-wife.) Who knows what would have happened if I did go to LA. I do know I probably never would have gotten married and divorced and then met Megin and got married again...on a reality show no less...and have had my two boys...and of course started this whole Johnny Meatballs thing...

I definitely have no regrets...Tony never wrote back to my letter in case you were wondering. But what if he did? What if he said to come on out and that he had an audition waiting for me? What if I went?? Hmm…I wonder if I would be “Don Jon”? I guess if I did end up going I would never have become Johnny Meatballs?

As I said, I have no regrets and maybe someday I will meet Tony and tell him this story. Or maybe I’ll somehow get cast in a movie or show and tell the whole world this story. Well I already shared it with thousands of you out there in cyberspace and shared my desire to someday maybe become the next “Tony Micelli.” But only if I can do it here in New Jersey! That’s for two reasons. One of course is because I am all about authenticity and secondly because I would never go cross country at this stage of my life and leave my family and business…my meatballs and my Meatball Boys are my world. I will always be an entertainer at heart but for now “Don Jon” (and whatever comes out next) will be my form of entertainment…And I’m no star but I’ll be watching these stars even if I feel I can do their job just as good!