In this powerful episode of Celebrity Interviews Live from The Grotto, host Greg Hanna sits down with acclaimed character actor Armen Garo, best known for his memorable roles in The Sopranos, The Departed, and CODA. With his signature intensity and authenticity, Armen opens up about his journey from military prep school stages to working with legends like Martin Scorsese.

Armen shares stories from behind the scenes, the real-life observations that shaped his iconic wise guy roles, and how his past experiences — from bouncing at clubs to real-life moments of anger — influenced his acting approach.

[00:00] – Armen talks about how Zoom changed the acting game — and why theater and in-person energy can’t be replicated.

[00:03:00] – His early experience performing in front of large audiences — and how heckling classmates taught him to improvise under pressure.

[00:05:30] – Playing wise guys: how real-life experience working in clubs with mob-connected figures gave Armen deep insight into complex characters.

[00:08:00] – Understanding the psychology of organized crime figures — and why their leadership and “family values” made them both feared and revered.

[00:11:00] – A gripping real-life story: the one time Armen truly lost it after getting hit in the head with an ashtray during a club incident.

[00:15:00] – Behind the scenes of The Departed: no written dialogue, working with Martin Scorsese, and improvising one of the film’s most brutal scenes.

[00:19:00] – The CODA experience and what it meant to be part of an Oscar-winning film.

[00:20:00] – Armen’s exciting new projects:

• 🎥 Federal Hill – as Raymond Patriarca in a new crime series

• 🔍 Shackled – a high-concept crime sci-fi thriller

• 🎬 Once a Week for Life – a gritty NYPD drama series

• 📖 Screenplay adaptation of The Abduction of Lily Waters

[00:25:30] – Armen’s most important life lesson: understanding what’s real, when to speak, and when to stay silent.

Armen Garo is an American actor known for his intense, layered performances in film and television. He’s appeared in The Sopranos, The Departed, CODA, Ray Donovan, and many more acclaimed projects. A former kickboxer and nightclub doorman, Armen brings authentic energy to every role — and continues to evolve as both an actor and writer.

• 📺 IMDb

• 📸 Instagram: @ArmenGaro

• 🌐 Facebook: Armen Garo Official

Hosted by Greg Hanna, Celebrity Interviews Live from The Grotto features intimate, engaging conversations with Hollywood’s most fascinating voices. Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, personal revelations, and life lessons from some of the industry’s most unforgettable talents.

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