Appearances: The Wog Boy (2000); The Kings of Mykonos: Wog Boy 2 (2010)

Played By: Nick Giannopoulos

Nick Giannopoulus’ “wog comedy” manifested itself in many forms, with his Wog Boy creation of Steve Karamitsis a natural evolution from his Wogs at Work and Acropolis Now personas. With leather jacket in tow, Travolta dance moves licked, and loud V8 in possession, Karamitsis is a wog we are proud to call our own.

Appearances: The Untouchables (1987)

Played By: Andy Garcia

George Stone may be his working name, yet Giusesppe Petri is anything but the 1930s prohibition era Italian stereotype, providing a counter to Al Capone’s wiseguy mobster, not to mention being a crack shot. Cuban born actor Andy  Garcia injects the role with the nobility he deserves.

Appearances: My Cousin Vinny (1990)

Played By: Marisa Tomei

If looks are anything to go by, then Mona Lisa Vito is pure stereotype through and through. Yet it does not take long to find that this broad has the brain to match her big mouth and even bigger hair. Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for her performances, in the process breaking the rules for how a woman of European ancestry should be portrayed.

Appearances: From Here to Eternity (1953)

Played By: Frank Sinatra

It was the role supposedly handed to him by the mob, won him the Oscar, and confirmed his standing as the Italian American. Frank Sinatra’s Pvt. Angelo Maggio talked a big game and faced discrimination within his own ranks. Both factors led to his death by the bigoted Ernest Borgnine.

Appearances: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Played By: Nia Vardalos

Just as Nick Giannopoulos brought a taste of Greece to Australian comedy, so did Nia Vardalos do that and much more in the States with her semi-biographical smash, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with Vardalos’ adventures in love and ethnicity relating too many of varied European heritage.

Appearances: The Karate Kid (1984); The Karate Kid Part 2 (1986); The Karate Kid Part 3 (1989)

Played By: Ralph Machio 

Black haired and olive skinned Italian American kid from Jersey get beaten up by blonde haired, blue eyed Cali teens, only to master the oriental arts from a fellow outcast and kick some major ass? Should have been called Wogboy: Revenge is Mine

Appearances: Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Played By: John Travolta

Just what is it about disco music that taps into the heart of wogs everywhere? Whatever the fever, John Travolta’s Tony Manero had it bad, cutting a rug even while dressing in his white velvet suit and chanting the name of Italian American living legend Al Pacino. All together now: “Well, you can tell by the way I walk..."

Appearances: Scarface (1983)

Played By: Al Pacino

Has the pursuit for power ever been obtained with such tenacious brutality? Moving on from Paul Muni’s Tony Camonte, this Scarface depicts an immigrants journey from a whole different perspective, Pacino injecting the right mix of volatile energy and over the top theatrics, which makes this wog not only one to remember, but also to fear.

Appearances: The Godfather (1972); The Godfather Part II (1974)

Played By: Marlon Brando; Robert De Niro

The Godfather saw Marlon Brando in all of his majestic glory as mafia don and family patriarch Vito Corleone. But it is the sequel that added depth to the man, who as a boy made his way from Sicily to New York City as Vito Antolini, and would go on to rise through the ranks of power as a noble yet intimidating force ho had no qualms killing those who stood in his way.

Appearances: Rocky (1976); Rocky II (1979); Rocky III (1982); Rocky IV (1985); Rocky V (1990); Rocky Balboa (2006)

Played By: Sylvester Stallone

The saga of the Italian Stallion is the American dream defined. Slugging his way out of the depths of poverty, Rocky is given a shot at immortality when chosen to fight the world champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). From then came one obstacle after another, yet no matter the challenge, Rocky always prevailed. Sylvester Stallone gave his creation and alter ego a fond send off in 2006’s Rocky Balboa. In his place was a legacy for people of all ethnicities to draw inspiration from.