Spent early childhood on the road with his mother, who performed in a traveling burlesque show
At age 9, moved to Panama, where his stepfather owned a nightclub
Attended the American Theatre Wing and Actors Studio in New York City
Career is indelibly linked to legendary filmmaker John Cassavetes
The two close friends worked together on multiple projects, beginning with Cassavetes' directorial debut, Shadows (1959), for which Cassel was an associate producer
Has appeared in three Wes Anderson films: Rushmore (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Awards
1992Sundance Film Festival-Special Jury Prize for Acting (Dramatic):winner
1968Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:nominated