Chazz was born May 15, 1952 in New York City. His birth name is Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri. He has been married to Gianna Ranaudo since June 6, 1992. He has 2 children a son Dante Lorenzo and a daughter Gabriella Rose.

Chazz wrote a play called A Bronx Tale. It was a one man stage commentary about his childhood growing up in the Bronx. The play caught the attention of Robert Deniro who was looking to make his directorial debut. Chazz insisted on being an actor in the film. DeNiro backed him and in 1993 A Bronx Tale was released and Chazz's career began to skyrocket.

Chazz received an Oscar nomination for his role in Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway.

Chazz recently joined the cast of ABC's pilot Drift for the 2006 pilot season. If the show is picked up it wil air during the 2006/2007 television season.