Bio: Antonino Giovanni Ribisi is an American actor who was born in Los Angeles, California. His parents both have careers in the entertainment industry. His mother, Gay Ribisi (n��e Landrum), is a talent manager for actors and writers, and his father, Albert Anthony Ribisi, is a musician. He has a twin sister, actress Marissa Ribisi, and another sister, Gina. Giovanni is of Italian (from his paternal grandfather), English and German ancestry.His mother helped to launch his acting career, which began with an appearance on two episodes of the television series Highway to Heaven (1984). This followed with numerous roles on television. In 1996, he gained the role of Phoebe Buffay's half-brother on the high profile sitcom Friends (1994), which boosted his career. He became involved in films, which included roles in Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do! (1996) and Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998). He appeared in James Cameron's Avatar (2009), Contraband (2012), Gangster Squad (2013), Ted (2012) and Ted 2 (2015).
Tivia: He went to school for many years, studying computer graphics, and during production of Avatar (2009), he partnered with Stereo D, a company who converts 2D images into stereoscopic 3D images. Giovanni helped spearhead his company's efforts to win bids to do some of the images for Avatar, unknown to James Cameron at the time. Stereo D has since gone on to do the 3D post-conversion on such films as Titanic (1997), Jurassic Park (1993), The Avengers (2012), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Pacific Rim (2013), among others.Clashed with filmmakers on the Basic (2003) set because of the inclusion of a female Special Forces operative. Women are not eligible for combat in the US military. He felt it compromised the integrity of the story.First appeared (uncredited) in the ending of the episode The One with the Baby on the Bus (1995), as the guy who had dropped a condom in Phoebe's guitar while she was singing in front of Central Perk Coffee Shop (because the manager hired a professional musician). Later that season, he came back in The One with the Bullies (1996) as Frank Buffay Jr., Phoebe's younger half-brother, a character that stayed for eight episodes over several seasons.Daughter Lucia (born December 1997) is named after the doomed heroine in the Donizetti opera. The child's mother is his ex-wife Mariah O'Brien.He is 15 minutes older than twin sister Marissa Ribisi.Made the cover of "Vanity Fair" after receiving critical kudos for Saving Private Ryan (1998).Studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.As of 2023, has appeared in five films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Saving Private Ryan (1998), Lost in Translation (2003), Avatar (2009), Selma (2014), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022).Once competed on family game show I'm Telling! (1987) with sister Marissa Ribisi.Family: Son of Gay Ribisi; older brother of Gina Ribisi; twin brother of Marissa Ribisi.Perennially boyish American character actor known for his dark, somber demeanor, stark versatility and bizarre, off-the-wall performances in cutting edge contemporary films.His paternal grandfather was of Italian origin. His other ancestry includes German and English.Brother-in-law of Beck and Channing Hansen.Best known in the recurring role of Lisa Kudrow's dim-bulb half-brother on Friends (1994).When he was a child, his family had a pet dachshund named Low-Rider.Won the ShoWest Newcomer of the Year Award (1999).Often eats at Los Feliz restaurant Little Doms. Sandra Oh, Hannah Telle, Michael Cera, Drew Barrymore, Bo Barrett and Katherine Heigl also frequent this local hot spot.He and twin sister Marissa Ribisi are active Scientologists.Was approached to play Lynch McGraw in Hero Wanted (2008), which he turned down. The role went to the late Steven Kozlowski.Attended the Berlin Film Festival. (February 2002)Attended the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival in France. (May 2009)