On the February cover issue of The Rich Reporter, we shine the spotlight on the legendary actor and producer Chazz Palminteri, a cinematic icon who has graced the screen for over four decades. Most notably recognized for his 1993 gangster classic A Bronx Tale, a film he wrote and starred in, Chazz continues to captivate audiences with his passion for storytelling and dedication to his craft.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Chazz Palminteri at the exclusive Empire Social Lounge in Brickell, Miami, during an event celebrating his cigar line, A Bronx Tale. The evening was masterfully organized by the lounge’s owner, Alex Sangiovani, who brought together cigar enthusiasts and fans for an unforgettable experience.
During the interview, Chazz shared heartfelt stories about his Sicilian heritage, his grandfather Calogero, and the deep family roots that inspired his latest venture into cigars. He revealed how his grandfather’s love for cigars and their immigrant journey to America shaped the vision for his Calogero cigar and the new Sonny line, each crafted to honor the characters and themes from A Bronx Tale.
Chazz spoke candidly about the challenges of launching his cigar brand, emphasizing the importance of quality and authenticity in everything he puts his name on. From cigars to wine, restaurants, and his acclaimed acting career, his approach is rooted in hard work, passion, and leaving a lasting legacy. Here is what he had to say.
Estefania: Tonight, we are sitting down with the legendary actor and producer, Chazz Palminteri, known for his iconic role in A Bronx Tale. If you have not watched this classic tale, you’re definitely missing out. It’s one of the greatest films. Am I right, Chazz?
Chazz: It’s a pretty great movie. It’s, well, it’s one of the few things where I wrote the play and starred in it, and then I wrote the movie and starred in it, and I wrote the musical and starred in it. Now, we have a movie of the play, of the one-man show that’s coming out January 28th.
Estefania: Oh, I definitely have to go see it. And not just a play—you also have a cigar brand that just came out, correct?
Chazz: Oh, yes. So, well, I mean, that’s an offshoot of the whole A Bronx Tale experience. When they first came to me, when Paul DiSilvio first came to me—he’s an incredible cigar maker—he said, “Look, I wanna do a cigar.” I said, “Well, I do smoke cigars, but I’m not a big cigar smoker. So, anything I push or advertise, I want it to be truthful from my heart.”
And I thought, if I could think of something that makes me feel good about doing this, I’ll do it. I thought of my grandfather, Calogero, who was born in Sicily. When he came to this country, he had my father. I’m a second-generation American. My father met my mother, who’s also Sicilian, they got married, and they had me. I’m named after my grandfather, Calogero.
I said, “Well, he was a big cigar smoker and a connoisseur of cigars. So, I’d like to dedicate this to my grandfather, Calogero, who came to this country and tried to give my family a better life.” If it wasn’t for him, A Bronx Tale would never have happened, nor would my career. So, I dedicated it to him as an immigrant—and really, to all immigrants all over the world.
Whether you’re Asian, Spanish, Italian, Black, or Irish, we’re all immigrants. People buy the cigar, even if they’re not cigar smokers, as a tribute to their families, to say, “Thank you for giving us a better life.”
Estefania: Amen to that. Amen to that. And talking about your grandfather and your loved ones, I did have a question. If your grandfather and your father were alive today, sharing a Calogero cigar with you, maybe in a cigar lounge or even in the Bronx, back where it all started, what do you think their reaction would be?
Chazz: No one’s ever asked me that question before. I think my grandfather would be—well, he was an old Sicilian from a small town in Sicily. He’d probably be blown away by it. So would my father. They’d be stunned but also very proud of me.
Estefania: Of course, they’re proud of their son, of their grandson. Like you said, it’s a story, and sharing that as an immigrant is just amazing.
Chazz: Yeah. A Bronx Tale—this is the classic. We just came out with the Bronx Tale Calogero cigar. I actually named it Calogero. And now, we’re coming out with the Bronx Tale Sonny, which is another blend.
Each cigar has a personality, and the names come from the movie. The Calogero is a very mild cigar—it’s like a potato chip, so you can smoke it every day. The Sonny, who was the real wise guy in the movie, is very robust, a real strong cigar.
Estefania: Those are the strong ones. Well, I’m not a cigar person, but I definitely take your word for it. And I definitely have to tell my father because he’s a big cigar person. He loves cigars.
Chazz: You gotta buy a box, because he’s an immigrant too.
Estefania: Of course.
Chazz: Absolutely.
Estefania: So I did have a question regarding the cigars. Do you believe that the Calogero and the Bronx Tale cigars will be able to continue for future generations, keeping the story alive?
Chazz: Yeah. You know, what is a cigar? A cigar is like a bottle of wine. When do you open up a bottle of wine? During an occasion or while having a meal. A cigar is the same thing.
People don’t just wake up in the morning and light a cigar. I mean, I know I don’t. A cigar is something you enjoy after a meal, during an event, or with a brandy. It’s always something special.
And I think this is a wonderful thing. I also have the Chazz Cabernet wine. I wanted to touch on things that reflect a lifestyle. Cigar smoking is a lifestyle. Wine is a lifestyle. I think these brands will, God willing, last like the great cigars—Rocky Patel’s and others. It’ll be a legacy my family can leave.
Estefania: Of course, a big legacy. Regarding the cigar line, did you face any unexpected challenges when launching or growing it?
Chazz: The challenges for me were because I was naive about the cigar industry. It had to be good. Look, people will buy something with my name on it once, but if it’s not good, they’re not gonna come back.
I own two Italian restaurants in New York under my name, Chazz Palminteri. People go there once, realize how great the food is, and come back. If the food isn’t good, it doesn’t matter who you are—they won’t return.
It was important to me to make sure the cigar was right. I partnered with Epic Cigars and Paul DiSilvio. We developed a blend together, tested it, and made adjustments based on feedback. After two or three rounds of tweaking, we got it perfect. It’s a strong cigar, holds a great ash, and people love it. The test is when they buy it again.
Estefania: Of course. That is true—it’s all about repeat customers.
Chazz: Cigar enthusiasts even voted it number eight in the world for boutique cigars. We’ve had a lot of great feedback and reviews.
Estefania: And you’re definitely going to have more because you’re expanding with the Sonny cigar.
Chazz: That’s right, and if you really wanna make a statement, the Sonny is the one for you.
Estefania: I wanted to touch on Sonny. There’s a scene in A Bronx Tale where Sonny tells Lorenzo, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”
Chazz: Actually, Lorenzo says that to his son. It’s also something my father used to say to me.
Estefania: So it’s a personal message for you.
Chazz: Very much so. That’s why I’m so driven to do so many things—my restaurants, my wine, my cigars, and my career as a writer, actor, and director. You only get one shot at life. This isn’t a dress rehearsal. You have to do as much as you can.
Estefania: What message would you give to someone feeling stuck, someone who needs to push forward?
Chazz: My message to young people is simple: Don’t be afraid to take risks. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Don’t be afraid to fail. If you’re going to fail, fail forward. Learn from it and keep moving. Everyone fails—I’ve failed. But I’ve learned from it, kept trying, and eventually succeeded. You have to keep going.
Estefania: Nobody’s perfect. Thank you so much, Chazz, for this interview and for sharing your story. Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished and what’s to come.
Chazz: Thank you.
Estefania: I have to say, I love the movie. I was rewatching it last night. Being from the Bronx, it always brings back memories of home.
Chazz: That’s great to hear. The 28th is coming soon—my movie, A Bronx Tale: The One-Man Show, will be available on pay-per-view and on-demand.
Estefania: I’ll definitely check it out. Thank you so much, Chazz.
Chazz Palminteri is a true force of nature, seamlessly blending his passion for storytelling with his love for craftsmanship. With A Bronx Tale Cigars, he not only pays tribute to his grandfather’s legacy but also reinforces the timeless essence of A Bronx Tale—a story of family, loyalty, and authenticity. Whether he’s commanding the stage with his iconic one-man show or expanding his ever-growing empire, Palminteri shows no signs of slowing down. His journey is far from over, and as he continues to build upon the foundation he’s laid, one thing is certain: the legend of A Bronx Tale will live on for generations to come.
