Kirk Acevedo: The Black Donnellys' Nicky Cottero

Kirk Acevedo, a Brooklyn, New Yorker can be seen playing Nicky Cottero, on the NBC series, The Black Donnellys. Acevedo's character is a powerful mobster who is right there on the verge of running things for the Italian-American mobsters and is wanting to expand also into the Irish-American neighborhoods. Acevedo's character has a strong hatred toward Tommy Donnelly, which can play out dangerous for the Donnellys.

Kirk Acevedo was born November 27, 1974 in Brooklyn, New York. His heritage has him as both of Puerto Rican and Chinese descent. Acevedo's parents only had one other child, a son named Richard Acevedo.

Acevedo graduated from LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts. From there he enrolled in the SUNY Purchase School of Acting, from where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It was soon after acquiring his degree that Acevedo, auditioned for HBO's Oz.

The Black Donnellys is not the only series in which we have seen Acevedo. He played Det. Hector Salazar on Law and Order: Trial by Jury, Officer Scott Grafton on NYPD Blue and Paulie Fuentes in Third Watch. His television credits lend way to other bit parts in several other series on television.

Acevedo's film credits include playing Sgt. Joe Toye in HBO's Band of Brothers produced by Steven Spielberg, Pvt. Tella in Thin Red Line and Duncan in Dinner Rush. Acevedo even played a U.S. Marshall aboard a plane in the television series "24". While he has had many other parts in various movies, his best known role was as morose and violent prisoner, Miguel Alvarez in HBO's Oz.

Acevedo said during an interview with HBO, that his character on Oz, has gotten him recognized on the street by people, some who think they may recognize him from school or something. He said during the interview that he would ask them if they watched Oz, and then that is when they realize why he looks familiar to them. Also other people will ask him where is scar is, because they thought the scar that his character sports is real.

Acevedo was nominated for a Cable Ace award and an ALMA award for his work in HBO's Oz. Acevedo did win an ALMA for his role in The Thin Red Line for his role as Pvt. Tella. He also received a nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for the Drama Desk Award, for his part in Tooth of Crime.