Biography

Tony Tarantino was born in Queens, New York, to Dominic and Elizabeth Tarantino and was raised in Brooklyn. The family, which
included sister Diane, moved to Los Angeles, California. Tony graduated from L.A.'s Washington High School. Two years later he auditioned for and was accepted to the Pasadena Playhouse. He caught the "acting bug" from his father who in the early Thirties appeared
in several westerns with stars such as Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, and Fred Thompson.

During the 60's and 70's Tony acquired many skills. He received his general aviation pilot license for single- and multi-engine rating; became
proficient in Western quickdraw and won awards for excellent marksmanship with handguns and rifles; his Martial Arts training earned him a black belt in Karate and Kung-Fu; and as a member of Malibu Roving Archers he became skilled with a bow and arrow. While a student at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he learned modern dance and fencing, he worked for tips playing guitar and singing folk songs in local coffeehouses. His love for music lead him to form several bands, playing lead, rhythm and bass guitar and singing in supper clubs and night-clubs up and down the Sunset strip in Hollywood and the Bay area. Tony also enjoyed raising and training roping and cutting horses
on his ranch in Southern California.

Tony has recently produced a television interview show, co-hosted a radio talk show and in 1998 worked on four films, starring in one. Tony is a member of "Silver Foxes", the brainchild of producer David Krieff. The "Silver Foxes" is a group of celebrity parents that include: Sal Pacino, father of Al; Patsy Swayze, mother of Patrick; and Jenny Crawford, Cindy's mom; Christine Johnson, Magic's mom; Nikki Robbins, Tony Robbins mom. This exciting team of Silver Foxes led by Stephanie Powers has just completed an exercise video.
Currently, Tony has completed the writing of his original screenplay titled "New Horizons". From its inception, Tony wrote the lead character for Tom Cruise. Tony is now personally casting the rest of his main characters. "New Horizons" has 53 speaking parts.

To keep in shape Tony has a personal trainer, PJ Bowen, and a boxing trainer, Hervi Estrada.

An involved member of SAG, Tony joined BookPALS, volunteering three hours a week reading to K-3 classes.

Tony makes his home in the beautiful hills of Southern California.

Family

Children: Quentin Tarantino Born March 27th, 1963 in Knoxville, TN. He is a director, producer, actor and an Academy Award-winning screenwriter.
Tanya Marie Born October 4th, 1964, in Pasadena, CA. Tanya, like her father, has a "need for speed," enjoying fast cars and motorcycles. She is a nurse and lives in Southern California.
Ronnajean Born June 22nd, 1969 in Phoenix AZ, Ronnajean was crowned Miss Arizona before graduating from Arizona State University. She has inherited her father's passion for acting and has recently accepted roles in upcoming motion pictures and was featured in the Scottsdale Life Magazine. This photo taken Feb.2001.
Edward James Tarantino Born October 3rd, 1974 in Simi Valley, CA. He operated heavy equipment and worked construction before signing on with an Alaskan fishing fleet. He currently lives in the state of Washington and works as a lumberjack. As a toddler, Edward acquired the nickname "Jimbo" (the title of a song Tony used to sing to him.)
Sister: Diane A published writer of feature and news stories, Diane has won many press awards; among them, The Valley Press Club's "Best Editorial" Award. She has two grown daughters and one granddaughter. Diane and her husband live in Southern California.		Diane's graduation photo, 1959 - St. Michael's High School, Los Angeles.