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Phil Fondacaro

Phil Fondacaro

Actor · Born November 8, 1958 (67) · New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Phil Fondacaro (born November 8, 1958) is an American actor. A dwarf actor at 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m), Fondacaro began acting in 1981, with the film Under the Rainbow. Fondacaro appeared in 1983's Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the third Star Wars film, as an Ewok, the only one to have a death scene. In 1986, he portrayed the invisible friend of a young Michael Gerber in the Disney Sunday Movie Fuzz Bucket, and also appeared in the fantasy film Troll. In 1987, he portrayed "Sir Nigel Pennyweight" in the cult horror film Ghoulies II. His performance is frequently praised, and he has been called the best actor in the film. In the same year, he appeared as "Greaser Greg" in The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, a theatrical adaptation of the popular trading cards. In 1988's Willow, he appeared alongside Warwick Davis, one of his Jedi co-stars, who, thanks in large part to his Willow role, became one of the most famous dwarf actors in the film industry. Other prominent roles of Fondacaro's include "Hooded dwarf" in Phantasm II, Cousin Itt in Addams Family Reunion, and a dramatic turn as a dwarf with an average-sized son in "A Clown's Prayer", an episode of Touched by an Angel. He also played a dwarf with an average-sized daughter in the CSI episode, "A Little Murder". He also had a recurring role on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as "Roland". Fondacaro is married to Elena Bertagnolli, manager of another famous dwarf actor, Verne Troyer, and is represented by his wife's company, Fonolli Management. Fondacaro's brother Sal is also an actor, having appeared in Under the Rainbow, Return of the Jedi, and Invaders from Mars, all with his brother. Description above from the Wikipedia article Phil Fondacaro, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 8, 1958 (67)
From
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
45 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

What are Phil Fondacaro's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

A split, not a type: Ironic 8 · Wry 3 · Earnest 10

Light 14 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 8

Gentle 5 · Charged 14 · Intense 4

Steady 6 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 6

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 2

Casual 20 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 8
Ally
2 of 8
Mentor
1 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Absurd
14
Dread
6
Thrilling
6
Joyful
3
Other
13

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Phil Fondacaro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Subscription and free streaming for Phil Fondacaro's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 45 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Devil Inside Her(2024)

    as Dwarf (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II(2024)

    as Tom Ryan / Big Figure (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
  • DevilDolls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Ray Vernon (segment: Dangerous Toys)

  • Immortally Yours(2009)

    as Michael Bates

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
  • Evil Bong(2006)

    as Club Patron

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
  • The Making of: Evil Bong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Once Upon a Halloween (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Creeper (voice) (archive sound)

  • Decadent Evil(2005)

    as Ivan

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films
  • Land of the Dead(2005)

    as Chihuahua

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
  • The Polar Express(2004)

    as Elf

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
  • 10-8: Officers on Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian's Father

  • The Theory of the Leisure Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Millionaire

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Marcus

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
  • Bit Players (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Gus Wolfson

  • Sideshow(2000)

    as Abbot Graves

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films
  • Blood Dolls(1999)

    as Hylas

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films
  • Addams Family Reunion(1998)

    as Cousin Itt

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
  • Hercules(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows
  • The Elevator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Dwarf Rabbi

  • Sweet Jane(1998)

    as Bob

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
  • The Creeps(1997)

    as Dracula

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)

    Show 5 episodes · as Roland

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows
  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Doorman

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows
  • Bordello of Blood(1996)

    as Vincent Prather

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
  • Hellraiser: Bloodline(1996)

    as Surgeon - The Jester (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
  • The Nature of the Beast(1995)

    as Harliss

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
  • Sliders(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Bounty Hunter · as Mac

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows
  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Leroy Tucker

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows
  • Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films
  • Dollman vs. Demonic Toys(1993)

    as Ray Vernon

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
  • Renegade(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Little Tom Masion

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows
  • Brotherhood of the Gun(1991)

    as Antonio

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • The Doors(1991)

    as Man at Birthday Party

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
  • Meridian(1990)

    as Dwarf

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
  • Northern Exposure(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Green Man

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
  • Night Angel(1990)

    as Sammael

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
  • Nerds of a Feather (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Little Army of Little Russian Soldiers

  • Monster High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Stinksucker

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Emmet

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Big Moe

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka(1988)

    as Evans Brother (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
  • Memories of Me(1988)

    as Horace Bosco

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
  • Phantasm II(1988)

    Stunts · as Hooded Dwarf (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films
  • Willow(1988)

    as Vohnkar

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
  • The Yattering And Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as The Yattering

  • thirtysomething (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Garbage Pail Kids Movie(1987)

    as Greaser Greg - Suit

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
  • Ghoulies II(1987)

    as Sir Nigel Pennyweight

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
  • Steele Justice(1987)

    as Bartender Dan

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
  • Married... with Children(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Alien

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows
  • Fuzzbucket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Fuzzbucket

  • Troll(1986)

    as Malcolm Mallory / Torok the Troll

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films
  • American Drive-In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Rocky Magellan (as H.G. Golas)

  • Hard Rock Zombies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Mickey (as H.G. Golas)

  • The Black Cauldron(1985)

    as Creeper / Henchman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as The Yattering

  • The Dungeonmaster(1984)

    as Stone Canyon People (segment "Stone Canyon Giant")

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Bernard

  • Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes(1983)

    as Demon Clown (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
  • Rapunzel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Munchkin

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernard · as Munchkin

  • Under the Rainbow(1981)

    as Hotel Rainbow Guest

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles from 1981 to 2025; peak year 1986.

Film career

19812025

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting63 of 63: 62 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score30thOther crew1 of 63: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s27 · 27 acting · 1 crew1990s21 · acting2000s12 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
838898

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Phil Fondacaro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 18th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 19th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

19thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

11thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th21

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 45 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed23

Reviewers score the acting 48/100 in their films, across 21 reviewed titles; fans 65, detractors 30. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Phil Fondacaro's work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles43–90 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles25–65 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles15–76 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles27–72 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles47–71 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Phil Fondacaro work with?

People who share at least 2 of Phil Fondacaro's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Charles Band shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers