About

2011 Award WINNER – The Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award

Who is Joe?
An extremely reliable and serious actor and an enthusiastic, flexible, versatile, hardworking and positive individual. Joe can play good guy, bad guy, heartthrob or comedian, from dry wit to physical comedy.

Joe Sernio has been vigilantly working in and around the entertainment industry for over ten years. He is amongst the most well rounded, passionate and dedicated in the business. Graduating from Chubb Institute twice, once with a computer networking and another with a technical support degree, Sernio began working in the information technology field where he’s been employed by large corporations such as Marc Echo Enterprises in New york City and Currents Magazine. Joe maintained close ties to his family, a tight knit connection that kept him motivated and engaged. In 2002, after the unfortunate death of his father, Joe began managing the family restaurant in Jersey City, NJ, where he’d soon become partner. Facing and coping with his father’s untimely death while running a busy restaurant began to take a toll on Joe. As a tribute to his father and promise to himself, Joe began delving into a craft he’s long yearned for….acting.

Immediately following the close of business each day, Joe would leave the restaurant and take the PATH Train directly into downtown Manhattan where he studied acting with his first coach at The Ted Bardy Studio a few times a week along with several classes and seminars. His outgoing personality and passion sparked the interest of publicist, Lori Draz and entertainer, Joey B., who introduced Sernio to Vinny Vella (The Sopranos, Casino), Matt Modien, Lillo Brancato, Artie Pasquale as well as other seasoned industry veterans. He soon landed a background role on a show called Love Monkey starring Jason Priestly and Tom Cavanaugh. He was well liked by the producers and soon found himself playing the role of Phil, an MTV stage manager. Despite the show’s positive reception, it was canceled after one season.

Throughout his career, Joe has modeled and appeared in various print work and media. He is well known around south Jersey as the face of Bentley Diamonds. His most exciting opportunity came as a surprise when he bumped into a woman in Little Italy who took an interest in the young actor. He was featured in what was later a national print ad for STUFF Magazine, spotlighting Italian actors in film, TV, and music. He sat down that day and posed with some of the best in the business; actors from The Godfather, Donnie Brasco, even Tommy Patillo, lead singer of The Dupree’s, who would go on to become close friends with Joe to this day. Motivating him, Joe began to audition more frequently and would soon land a role on a hit daytime soap As The World Turns as a college student. This job provided Joe with acceptance into the AFTRA Union, where auditions started becoming a day job in itself forcing Joe to sell the family restaurant to pursue acting full time.

Joe continued to stay with As The World turns doing some background work for a few months when he soon auditioned for All My Children. After going on his second audition Joe took a recurring role in over twenty-five episodes of All My Children, playing an ICU orderly “Joe” in the infamous Pine Valley Hospital.

During his time Joe eventually landed the role of the late George Allen Smith, portraying a young mans true story and the events leading to his death on TruTV’s nationally syndicated television show, Haunting Evidence.

The success and joy of acting on the small screen enticed Joe to break into a medium on a whole other scale. Film. He started in a film called “Spinning Into Butter” who stared Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex in the city) where he portrayed a college student.

Later Sernio teamed up with young writer/director, Nick Pavano, and was cast as the lead in his first feature film, The Roadhouse. Joe’s resources and knowledge also earned him a producer credit on the project. The film would go on to premiere at The 2009 Garden State Film Festival, selling the venue out beyond capacity on opening night and winning the festivals prestigious Audience Award. Sernio developed a great working and personal relationship with Pavano and the two produced several shorts together in the months following. Without wasting any time, they teamed up once again to produce a web series called Compulsive, where Joe took on one of his most challenging roles to date, ‘Chris Donner’, a dark and troubled assassin living a double life. A pilot was assembled but the series was put on the back burner after production struggles in late 2009.

Continuing a career in film, Joe took the lead role of Lorenzo in award-winning director Frank M. Calo’s, Mourning on Charlotte Street a true story about the unbreakable bond ov brotherly love.. which takes place in the

Bronx in 1953. Reprising the success at The Garden State Film Festival in 2009, Sernio’s latest would go on to clean up shop in 2010, taking home awards for Best Drama, Best Thriller, Best Director, Viewers Choice and a nomination in a festival for Best Actor for Joe’s portrayal of Lorenzo. A jack of all trades, Joe decided to explore other ways to channel his passion for acting, taking it from the small screen to the big screen and now to the stage. In 2010, he began working on live script readings in New York City’s elaborate theatre district and most recently a stage production opposite small and big screen star, Vinny Pastore.

If there’s one thing that stayed true to Joe his entire career so far, it’s been his sense of attachment. He absorbs his each and every opportunity with the utmost in focus and dedication, all while keeping his feet on the ground and his friends and family close. He helps a number of charities in his off time, including the Ashley Lauren Foundation, helping children in the fight with cancer, The Alopecia Foundation, The National Arthritis Foundation and The American Heart Association to name a few. He has spoken at several high schools, offering his experiences and knowledge for those looking to break into the industry. Most recently, he has started a youth seminar in New Jersey, designed to help a younger generation in discovering themselves and exploring the entertainment industry. He has enlisted the help of several industry professionals, acting coaches, actors and more, all whom are dedicating their time in the likes and belief in Joe’s program.

Joe is still a young man. With a forever growing resume and eternal passion for what his craft, he doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon. As the opportunities come knocking, Joe will be there to dive in with open arms. He cites his mentors as his father, mother, grandfather, and the late Carroll Raver amongst others.

Charity Orginizations:
The Ashley Lauren Foundation
The American Cancer Society
The Arthritus Foundation
Let Your Hair Down – Alopecia Foundation

Reviews & Quotes on Joe’s Work >>
Joe Sernio’s Acting Resume >>