In the beginning, he was known to TV audiences as the Italian cab driver Antonio Scarpacci on the NBC sitcom "Wings", but it took "Big Night" (1996), the directorial debut of actors Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, to make Hollywood sit up and take notice of Tony's wide range of acting abilities. Shalhoub's breakthrough performance as the tempermental chef, Primo, in the accomplished, independent feature earned him the Best Supporting Actor award from the National Society of Film Critics.
"Galaxy Quest" was a brilliant spoof on sci-fi television shows that have huge cult followings. Tony's take on a very laid-back version of Star Trek's "Scotty" stole quite a few scenes from his co-stars,Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, and Sigourney Weaver. There should be an award for Comic Timing.
"Big Night" showcased Tony portraying a very wide range of emotions in one character. His angry and indignant chef who refused to make meatballs for a restaurant patron's spaghetti was equally endearing as when in shy and romantic moments with the florist (Allison Janey).
His role in "The Man Who Wasn't There"... in this Cohen brothers film, Shalhoub goes up against a slow moving, straight ahead staring Billy Bob - and outpaces him with ease.
In the so-so thriller, "Thirteen Ghosts", Tony played up suspense and fright to the hilt. He's never looked so worried before. Though the movie underused his comic timing severely, he still turned in a first rate performance. What a professional.
And then of course, there is Monk. What an opportunity for Tony Shalhoub to shine, shine, shine! No actor could have brought to Monk's character what Tony does. His acting on this show is so enjoyable that Monk should run for many, many seasons. Here's hoping an Emmy is coming his way!
