American actor Carmine Giovinazzo was born on August 24, 1973 in New York City. The part-Italian, part-Norweigan actor was raised in the borough Staten Island as a kid, and took on many sports, primarily baseball and roller hockey. His dreams of playing baseball professionally, however, was halted after a serious back injury, and turned to acting instead. He took up acting classes in Manhattan, and also did several short films during his tenures at New York University and State University of New York, before moving to Los Angeles.
Giovinazzo got his start in Hollywood in 1997, when he was cast in the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After being the first on-screen victim of the show, he went on to appear in other television shows, playing guest roles in programs like Pacific Blue and Providence, as well as roles in films including Locomotive, Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss, Fallen Arches, The Big Brass Ring and For Love of the Game. He got his first regular television role in 1999, when he starred in the short-lived sitcom Shasta McNasty. There, he played the head of a rap/rock band who does anything to make their lives interesting, rather than actually start writing lyrics.
After roles in more high-profile films, including Black Hawk Down, Pledge of Allegiance and In Enemy Hands, Giovinazzo took on a role in the crime drama CSI: NY. He plays the role of Danny Messer, a detective who seems to have a mixed set of ethics, alluding to his background and childhood. His constant suspicions lead him to follow his instincts despite the evidence speaking against it. He is also known for his playboy tendencies, being perfectly aware of his good looks and charm. He holds the distinction of being the first actor to appear in all three CSI series: aside from CSI: NY and CSI: Miami, which episode served as a backdoor pilot for his current role, he also played a different guest role for the original CSI.