Hollywood has been littered big names since it became the hub for American film. George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Marilyn Monroe, Halle Berry, and on and on. Still, it is hard to imagine people know the “famous” New York actor Craig Castaldo.
Don’t recognize him? Well, you should. Castaldo has appeared in more than 100 Hollywood movies and television shows; a list that includes 30 Rock, Shutter Island, Elf, and The Departed (just to name a few). Still, despite making cameos in famous pieces of media, it does not tell the true story of Castaldo.
Castaldo, also known as ‘Radioman’ or ‘Radio’ for the radio he wears around his neck, was a homeless man on the streets of New York that made cameos in all of those aforementioned TV shows and films. He has since made his way to a home, but when Radio was on the street he was a hallmark of New York media. Radio was even described by Tom Hanks as a, “cultural institution.”
Okay, I love this guy. Obviously I have not met him, but if you see any clips of him, Radioman has an electric personality. He radiates energy and it is easy to understand why he is such a beloved member of the Hollywood community.
In all likelihood, Radio will never get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Regardless of that, Radio has made an impact on TV and film, whether people want to admit it or not. He really helped add to the New York atmosphere that directors craved. So, with that being the case, I hope he somehow gets honored by these studios in some form or fashion.
