Max Casella has revealed that a growth hormone deficiency delayed his puberty until age 27, an experience that affected his acting career. The 59-year-old The Sopranos star described the experience as “humiliating” and recalled struggling to adjust to the physical changes while already established in the entertainment industry.
Max Casella says delayed puberty at 27 forced him to rebuild his acting career
Speaking to Page Six at a recent screening of Jimmy, Casella explained how delayed puberty affected his professional life. After receiving medical treatment, he experienced physical changes that typically occur during adolescence.
“It was insane,” he said. “Wouldn’t have been my choice, but you know, given the cards you’re dealt. You make the best of it.”
Casella, known for playing Benny Fazio in The Sopranos and appearing in Doogie Howser, M.D., said his career had nearly stalled during that period. He recalled, “I had to start all over again. It was a humiliating experience.” He also acknowledged that adjusting to his changing appearance was difficult, saying, “I didn’t wear it well right away.”
However, landing the role of Timon in the original Broadway production of The Lion King helped him through the transition. Casella said performing regularly, with eight shows a week, helped him mature and become comfortable with adulthood.
The actor has since taken on another role in Jimmy, a biographical film about Jimmy Stewart’s service as a combat pilot during World War II and his subsequent return to Hollywood. Casella portrays director Frank Capra, who worked with Stewart on the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life, while KJ Apa plays Stewart.
To prepare for the role, Casella studied Capra’s life and mannerisms. “I read his book,” he said, adding that he also watched documentaries to understand how the filmmaker behaved. He focused on details such as how Capra smoked a cigarette and sat in a chair.
However, the lack of footage showing Capra when he was younger made the preparation challenging. Casella explained that he had to piece together a sense of the director’s personality from the available material.
