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Hasbrouck Heights 'Boardwalk Empire' Actor Doesn't Snicker At Fame

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. -- Adam Mucci of Hasbrouck Heights has one of those faces that people know but can't always place.

Actor Adam Mucci played opposite Marilyn Monroe in a Snickers commercial

Actor Adam Mucci played opposite Marilyn Monroe in a Snickers commercial

Photo Credit: zeleb.es
Adam Mucci of Hasbrouck Heights loves both his lives, that as an actor, and the other as dad and community member.

Adam Mucci of Hasbrouck Heights loves both his lives, that as an actor, and the other as dad and community member.

Photo Credit: Adam Mucci
Actors Steve Buscemi and Adam Mucci in "Boardwalk Empire"

Actors Steve Buscemi and Adam Mucci in "Boardwalk Empire"

Photo Credit: IMDb
Actors Adam Mucci and John Leguizamo in the film short "Porzingod" from the Tribeca Film Festival

Actors Adam Mucci and John Leguizamo in the film short "Porzingod" from the Tribeca Film Festival

Photo Credit: Porzingod

That is, until they see him in a movie or a commercial and then the lightbulb goes off: "Hey, that's that guy."

In real life, "that guy," is a hard-working actor who happens to spend most of his time in Hasbrouck Heights when he's not busy appearing in such hits as "The Sopranos," "Boardwalk Empire," and in the popular Snickers commercial featuring Marilyn Monroe.

Mucci lives in Hasbrouck Heights for two reasons -- his two children, and he loves the place.

"I have such fond memories of growing up here and I wanted my children to have the same type of childhood as I did," Mucci said. 

The divorced and single dad, 43, also owns a business in town along with his college roommate -- FM Display Concepts of Saddle Brook -- a company that targets mostly restaurant-type businesses and offers them everything from the design to the display cases and everything else needed until they open their doors for business.

And although it's a full-time job in itself, the business comes second to coaching his kids sports teams, attending school events, and even serving on the town's zoning board.

"I love coaching and hanging out with the my son and daughter, they are just the greatest," he said. 

And he believes its important to give back to the community where you live. That's why he serves on the zoning board and takes part in benefit events. But if that's not enough, he also really does have a full time job acting. 

A graduate of Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, Mucci has worked with some of the biggest starts in the world including Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Will Ferrell and Kate Winslet. He's also worked with some of the best directors such as Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann and Barry Levinson, to name just a few. 

One of his latest gigs was as Deputy Halloran in the HBO hit "Boardwalk Empire," and he just finished filming a movie with Vince Vaughn.

"Ninety percent of acting is being told no," he laughs. "You are constantly going to auditions and being told no, but then one will hit and you are working again."

He's so committed to his children, Justin, 13, and Marissa, 10, that he often has to juggle all the pieces of his life to make sure they come first.

"Recently my son had a game I needed to coach, but my business had this huge install out of state," he said. "So, I coached the game, then slept for a few hours and then drove all night to get to the job."

He also takes that same kind of dedication with him to his acting jobs. 

"I had to work for years waiting tables at Houlihan's in Secaucus, working as a security guard, selling ice cream machines and doing just about anything to survive before I started getting jobs," he said.

These days the parts come easier, and he's working on a screenplay and a stage play with some friends, in addition to the movies and commercials.

But he always goes back to pointing out that his children and his town come before fame and everything else.

"Man, life is good these days. I have a wonderful girlfriend and my kids and good jobs," he laughs. "Life really is good."

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