Larry Romano: A Quick Biography & Profile
Larry Romano, born Lawrence John Romano, has established a reputation as a versatile actor known for his authentic portrayal of Italian-American characters, often in law enforcement or working-class roles.- Full Name: Lawrence John Romano
- Date of Birth: July 31, 1963
- Age (as of 2025): 62
- Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Producer, Musician, Singer, Writer
- Career Start: 1987 (with the short film *On Time*)
- Notable TV Roles: Richie Iannucci (*The King of Queens*), Officer Chickie Cursio (*NYPD Blue*)
- Notable Film Roles: Phil Testa (*The Irishman*), Pvt. Mazzi (*The Thin Red Line*), First Base (*Lock Up*)
- Spouse/Family: Information on his current marital status is generally kept private.
- Other Ventures: Has also been credited as a producer, musician, singer, and writer, diversifying his income portfolio.
The Financial Pillars: How Larry Romano Built His Net Worth
The bulk of Larry Romano’s net worth is directly attributable to his sustained presence on two of the most successful and long-running television series of the 1990s and 2000s, along with a string of roles in major Hollywood films. The financial structure of a long-term TV actor's wealth is heavily dependent on residual payments, which are paid out every time an episode is re-aired, streamed, or sold to international markets.The King of Queens: The Sitcom Goldmine
From 1998 to 1999, Larry Romano played the role of Richie Iannucci, one of the main friends of Kevin James' character, Doug Heffernan, on the CBS sitcom *The King of Queens*. Although he departed the show after the first season, his early involvement in a series that ran for nine seasons (1998–2007) and became a syndication powerhouse was incredibly lucrative. Sitcoms are notoriously profitable in syndication, and actors who appear in even a small number of episodes can earn substantial residual checks for decades. The show is constantly re-aired globally and is available on major streaming platforms, ensuring a steady, passive income stream for Romano.NYPD Blue: The Dramatic Foundation
Prior to his comedic turn, Romano was a regular on the critically acclaimed police drama *NYPD Blue*, where he played Officer Chickie Cursio from 1994 to 1995. While not as financially explosive as a sitcom, being a regular on a top-tier, award-winning drama like *NYPD Blue* meant a significantly higher per-episode salary than most other network shows at the time. This role established his credibility and provided a strong negotiating position for future projects.High-Profile Film Roles
Romano's film career also contributed significantly to his net worth. His roles, though often supporting, were in major studio productions alongside A-list talent, commanding higher salaries.- *The Irishman* (2019): His most recent major role was as Phil Testa in Martin Scorsese's epic crime film, a Netflix production that was a major critical success. Working on a Scorsese film, especially a high-budget one like *The Irishman*, ensures a substantial paycheck and renewed industry visibility.
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998): He appeared as Pvt. Mazzi in Terrence Malick's war drama, another critically acclaimed film that provided a significant career and financial boost.
- *Lock Up* (1989): One of his earliest notable roles was alongside Sylvester Stallone, giving him early exposure in a major action film.