LOUIS ANTHONY AGNELLO A 1992 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Mr. Agnello, the firstborn son of a professional writer, took his time growing up. A standout starting quarterback at Weston (Connecticut) High School in 1977 and 1978, Agnello won varsity letters in football at Western Connecticut State in his freshman and sophomore years. He had his breakout moment in the fall of 1979 as he returned the opening kick off of the homecoming game against Plymouth State College ninety yards for a touchdown. The next year he would transfer to Southern Connecticut State University to study coaching and learned the ins and outs of the game of baseball, a game he has loved and followed all his life. To work his way through college he became a pioneer in the brand-new "male exotic dancing business" that was becoming a fad all over the United States. In no time he became a favorite with the "Chippendale-style" reviews that toured throughout New York and New England. As a headliner, he co-featured with male model and future poker star, Downtown Chad Brown and made appearances at the hottest clubs of the day. In 1986 he gave the professional acting business a try. He studied at Lee Strasberg in NYC and made cameos on ABC's Ryan's Hope and One Life to Live. He also appeared on CBS's Guiding Light. He also appeared as a guest on Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford's show and made a prime-time appearance on Margaret Colin's show, Leg Work. He had bit parts in Spike Lee's film Crooklyn and Nicolas Cage's Kiss of Death among others. He credits the Strasberg "method" for his engaging mastery of lively dialogue. In 1992, he went back to college and finished his bachelor's degree in English writing. Shortly after, he officially retired from performing in the male burlesque industry and since then has appeared as a studio guest with Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Judith Regan. He has entertained radio audiences nationally with his quick wit, glib speaking, and engaging personality. Wherever controversy is found it's likely you'll find "Cousin Vinny" in the thick of it. On the evening of August 22, 2008, Mr. Agnello was accosted by two gunmen and shot twice in the leg in Sleepy Hollow, New York. The motive for that shooting was never determined. As of this date, no one has been arrested. Agnello recovered from the shooting and currently resides in Monticello, Georgia. This is the final evolution of a story that he received in a dream-like state back in 1991. Mr. Agnello believes the messages in this novel came from God or one of his messengers. Newspaper reporters asked him if he would change anything from his past and he replied, "No way. I could never have written such a compelling and believable story without living the life of the prodigal son." "Cousin Vinny" believes that his colorful past gives him greater insight into the plights of the people we meet in our daily lives. He truly hopes you enjoy this adventure.
