The Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award

Ronnie Marmo

The 8th Annual Garden State Film Festival is proud to present Ronnie Marmo as the recipient of the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award. The award is named after the late award-winning actor and co-founder of the GSFF, Robert Pastorelli, who was instrumental in bringing this prestigious event to the State of New Jersey.

The 2010 Rising Star, Ronnie Marmo, grew up in Woodbridge, New Jersey. At the age of 23, he was cast in the unlikely role of the evil farmer in “Hide and Seek” for his theatre acting debut at the Edison Valley Playhouse. This first step led him to take on leading roles in “Italian American Reconciliation” and “Lusting After Pipino's Wife,” both at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset, New Jersey. Marmo went on to win the 1997 Cable ACE award and was nominated for a second award as host and producer of the Documentary of the Year for his work with Comcast Cable. Marmo also performed in “Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.” at the Somerset Valley Playhouse. From there, he joined the Broadway National Touring Company as ‘Tony’ in “Tony N Tina's Wedding” where he got married eight times a week for a year.

Driven by his confidence and success, Marmo drove to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting with 68 cents left in his pocket. After arriving there, he landed the role of ‘Moof’ in the MGM movie, “Deuces Wild.”  Never one to rest on his laurels, in 2001 Marmo started the 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company and went on to open his own 99-seat theatre on Sunset Blvd., which he aptly Theatre 68. Marmo has since produced more than 50, directed more than 15, and starred in more than 30 plays, as well as having written several scripts, both for the stage and the screen. His favorite compilation is the semi-autobiographical story, "West of Brooklyn," released in 2009, which he wrote, produced and starred in. Marmo wanted to bring his movie back home to New Jersey, where it started, and so he orchestrated the theatrical release of the film at the Clearview Cinema in Red Bank, New Jersey. The DVD is currently available in stores, as well as at www.westofbrooklynthemovie.com.

In the last five years, Marmo has starred in many other films including the lead in “Limbo Lounge” and “Pizza With Bullets,” both slated for release in 2010. Marmo is also no stranger to TV as he is a regular on ABC's “General Hospital” in the role of ‘Ronnie Dimestico’ and has guest starred in the hit CBS series "JAG," and "The Young and The Restless.”  Marmo is currently rehearsing his one-man show “Lenny’s Back…and Boy is He Pissed” in which he portrays Lenny Bruce. The show will be opening in Los Angeles in early April and there will be a limited engagement at the Edison Valley Playhouse in New Jersey on April 22, 23rd & 25th. 

The 8th Annual Garden State Film Festival is proud to present the Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award to such a hard working, deserving, NJ native who is aggressively pursuing his passion of acting. You can find more information on Ronnie Marmo at www.ronniemarmo.com.