Joe Dallesandro

Joe Dallessandro on the cover of The Smiths' eponymous debut album; still from the Warhol film Flesh.

Joseph Angelo 'Joe' Dallesandro (born December 31, 1948, in Pensacola, Florida) is an American actor known for his physical beauty, flesh-baring film appearances, and frankly stated bisexuality.

A kid off the streets who supported himself by modeling and prostitution – he also reportedly worked in gay porn films and has said that he turned tricks for men "because I could deal with that better" – he met Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey in 1967 while they were in the midst of shooting The Loves of Ondine.

Dallesandro was the obvious choice for the part of a young hustler in Flesh, where he was required to perform stark naked. It was to a large extent due to Joe Dallesandro that Flesh became a sensational success in the cinemas – not only in the United States. A new star was born. Later in life, he worked as a limousine driver.

He was the 'little Joe' in Lou Reed's song "Walk on the Wild Side" which was about the characters Reed knew from Andy's studio, The Factory.

He made several movies with and without Warhol, and is known for his portrayal of 'Lucky' Luciano in Francis Coppola's The Cotton Club. He also appeared in Cry Baby by John Waters.

He has been married three times and has two sons.