Trivia

Was close friends with Sylvester Stallone. He provided Stallone with money and food when Stallone was a current and struggling actor.

Was said to have accidentally cut himself and bled to death in his apartment.

Was known as an unselfish person who helped out fellow actors by getting them roles in movies.

Was close friends with legendary directors William Friedkin and Francis Ford Coppola.

Was a hemophiliac.

Was godfather to Sage Stallone, son of Sylvester Stallone and photographer Sasha Stallone.

Worked as a taxi driver, a post office clerk, and a liquor store clerk during Christmas holidays to make ends meet.

In 1980, has appeared in three films revolving around serial killers terrorizing New York City: Cruising - La Chasse (1980), De plein fouet (1980) and Maniac (1980). Spinell played the serial killer in the latter film.

Has appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Le Parrain (1972), Le Parrain, 2ᵉ partie (1974), Rocky (1976) and Taxi Driver (1976). Of those, only Taxi Driver was not a winner in the category.

Also worked as a dialogue director during the making of the B movie cult classic Starcrash : Le Choc des étoiles (1978). He dubbed his own voice using a different accent to hide his distinctive New York accent.

Has appeared in three Best Picture Academy Award winners: Le Parrain (1972), Le Parrain, 2ᵉ partie (1974) and Rocky (1976). Talia Shire also appeared in all three films.

Has appeared with Sylvester Stallone in four films: Adieu, ma jolie (1975), Rocky (1976), Rocky II: La Revanche (1979) and Les Faucons de la nuit (1981).

Worked for nine years with the Joe Papp's Shakespeare Festival Theater group, also known as the Theater of the Forgotten, which also put on plays for prison inmates.

Following his sudden death, he was interned at 1st Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens, New York.

Was a cousin of Steve Spagnuolo, former St. Louis Rams coach and Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and current team Kansas City Chiefs.

He had lifelong struggles with hemophilia and severe chronic asthma.

He acted alongside Caroline Munro in three films: Starcrash (1978), Maniac (1980) and The Last Horror Film (1982).

Attended the Madison Square Boys Club located on 29th Street in Manhattan when he was age nine.

Son of Pelegrino Spagnuolo and Filomena Spagnuolo.

The main character of the 2001 film "Maniacts" is named after Spinell. The film is also dedicated to him.

His father, Pelegrino Spagnuolo (1892-1950), died from liver and kidney disease.

Two of his older sisters each died in infancy twelve years apart, before he was born. Both were named Carmen and are buried with him and their parents.

Through his mother Filomena Spagnuolo, and the paternal grandmother of David Gazzo, both actors were first cousins once removed.