Tony Schiena’s life and career are truly remarkable and demonstrate his ability to excel in diverse fields. He grew up in a multicultural environment, which has undoubtedly contributed to his fluency in multiple languages and ability to navigate different cultural and business contexts. As a world karate champion and former US World Champions Karate Team captain, he has achieved recognizable success in the sports world.
As a law enforcement officer and spy, he has demonstrated his commitment to keeping people safe and protecting national security. His NGO work combating sex trafficking is also highly commendable and shows his dedication to positively impacting society. In addition, his private military intelligence firm demonstrates his deep understanding of security and defense issues and his ability to provide valuable services to clients worldwide.
Schiena said, “As a child, I wanted to be the actual characters in the action movies I watched. That is the beauty of film – escapism, aspiring to be the hero that we would watch over and over. It’s a powerful thing.”
Schiena’s interest in the entertainment industry began when an older colleague and mentor advised him to pursue a career in acting and leave the defense industry. While he didn’t immediately take this advice, Schiena eventually decided to explore the opportunities presented to him in Hollywood. He has since played various roles, often drawing on his real-life experiences to add depth and authenticity to his performances.
Schiena was cast in the latest crime drama television series Paper Empire, now in post-production and soon to be premiered later this year. The series revolves around a family who owns a “paper empire” and becomes embroiled in a dangerous criminal underworld. Schiena’s character, Trascor, is a mafia member and a menacing antagonist throughout the series. Schiena’s background in martial arts and experience in the defense world likely contributed to his ability to convincingly portray a challenging and intimidating character in the show.
His career has been filled with diverse roles. In the romantic comedy Sicilian Holiday, he learned a Sicilian dialect to play his character with an Italian accent. Tony also draws inspiration from the wide range of characters he encountered during his time in the defense world, which he uses to bring authenticity to his performances in the action genre. His ability to adapt to different roles and portray them convincingly has earned him a reputation as a versatile actor in the industry.
“It was really fun playing that character. I just starred opposite Claudia Gerini, Italy’s biggest star, in a romantic comedy shot in Sicily called Sicilian Holiday, and I had the character have an Italian accent. I had to learn a Sicilian dialect.” Schiena said.
In the film Sicilian Holiday, Mia and Nino’s paths cross as they search for something more. Mia is desperate to escape her unfulfilling routine and embarks on a holiday to Sicily, hoping to find inspiration and meaning. Nino, a talented sculptor in his mid-thirties, assists her and becomes her guide in this new and unfamiliar environment. However, things take a complicated turn with the arrival of Nino’s brother Phil, who disrupts the developing connection between Mia and Nino. The film explores self-discovery, relationships, and the search for purpose in life.
To learn more about Tony and his latest endeavors, click here.
