Jay Giannone grew up in the Old Harbor Projects of South Boston (Southie) and comes from a long line of artists. His Mom (Janet) is a theatrical actress, and was lead singer in her rock band, his grandmother was a song writer and great grandmother was a painter.

At age 14 Jay’s career began as a break dancer and street performer. He was invited to dance with the Floor Lords, collectively known as the best crew in New England and rivaled the N.Y city breakers. At age 17 Jay was a model for Converse and portrayed the “Chuck Taylor” character in a national campaign. Jay is also a former J-Crew catalog model. Later he was signed as a rap artist, various times, and traveled the world performing with Mark Wahlberg and the One Love Crew.

In 2009 he wrote, produced, directed and played the lead in the short film, “Diamond In The Rough”, which won the Boston Film Night Audience Award. That same year he wrote, produced, directed and starred in the feature film “Scalpers” which is based on his real life experience as an event ticket scalper in Boston.

As an actor, he has appeared in several television shows including the HBO hit series “Entourage” which was based on his real Hollywood life experience with friend Mark Wahlberg. His feature film roles include box office hits “Confidence”, “Gone Baby Gone”, “Three Kings”, “The Game Plan” and “The Departed”. Recently Giannone stars opposite Jason Statham as Detective Kolfax, a corrupt undercover NY city police detective in the crime-action film “SAFE” directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Lawrence Bender. Jay melts Michael Shannon in “The Iceman” written by Morgan Land & Ariel Vromen, and directed by Ariel Vromen. Most recently jay wrapped David O. Russell’s Amercan Hustle where he can be seen as JIM, opposite Christian Bale, Amy Adams and a star studded cast. Due out in December 2013. Coming in 2014, Jay plays Joe in God Only Knows, opposite Harvey Keitel, Ben Barnes, Paul BenVictor, Slaine and Kenny Wormald.