Photo: David Shankbone / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Nicholas Pileggi is, to me, one of the great translators of the real underworld into art. A journalist first, he spent years observing the mob, then poured that hard-earned authenticity into Wiseguy and the Goodfellas screenplay. The film's lived-in texture, the sense that these people actually exist, comes straight from his reporter's eye. A BAFTA for the adaptation feels entirely earned. I also love that he was married to Nora Ephron, two masters of voice under one roof. Pileggi reminds me that the most convincing fiction is often built by someone who first did the unglamorous work of looking closely.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Nicholas Pileggi
- Name (Japanese)
- ニコラス・ピレジー
- Reading
- にこらす・ぴれじー
- Born
- February 22, 1933 (age 93)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Rooster
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- author / screenwriter / film producer / journalist / film screenwriter
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1991 BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Wiseguy | — |
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas%20Pileggi
Frequently asked questions
When was Nicholas Pileggi born?
Born February 22, 1933 (age 93).
Where is Nicholas Pileggi from?
Nicholas Pileggi is from New York City, New York, United States.
What does Nicholas Pileggi do?
Nicholas Pileggi works as author, screenwriter, film producer, journalist, film screenwriter.
What is Nicholas Pileggi known for?
Notable works include Wiseguy.
Author — see all → · Screenwriter — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.