Stephen Spinella

Stephen Spinella vaulted from obscurity with his frighteningly realistic portrayal of AIDS-ravaged Prior Walter in Tony Kushner's two-part epic "Angels in America." Born in Naples, Italy, the lanky, light-haired, openly gay actor grew up in Glendale, Arizona, attended the University of Arizona and, later, New York University, where he met the budding playwright Kushner. After seeing him in a university production, Kushner invited Spinella to be in his play, "The Age of Assassins" and began writing parts specifically for the actor.