Chuck Connelly

Chuck Connelly, a neo-expressionist artist who was depicted by Nick Nolte in a Martin Scorsese film, died April 13, 2025 of prostate cancer at his home in Philadelphia at the age of 70.

Connelly rose to prominence in the early 1980s when he moved to New York City, where his work became a hot commodity in the SoHo art scene. His use of heavy layers of paint and distorted, often dark depictions of seemingly lighthearted scenes drew attention and earned him showcases at major art galleries. His work and reputation as a somewhat volatile personality also drew attention, leading to Martin Scorsese modeling a character on him for the film "New York Stories," where he was portrayed by Nick Nolte. He was also featured in the 2008 HBO documentary, "The Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly Not for Sale," which showcased not just his vivid art, but the fierce temper and confrontational personality that made him a sometimes-contentious figure in the art world. Connelly and his work were also the focus of the 2020 documentary, "Chuck Connelly: Into the Light." His work has been seen in dozens of galleries both in the U.S. and abroad, especially in New York City.

Joe Borrelli, the owner of Borrelli's Chestnut Hill Gallery, said on Facebook, "I was honored to have represented Chuck and exhibited his work in several shows at Borrelli's. Chuck could have shown his renowned work anywhere, but he chose our unassuming Gallery to restart his exhibits when he moved back to Philadelphia. Those shows led to a long lasting friendship, and I feel lucky to have been in his circle of friends, loved ones, miscreants and fans … For those of you not familiar with the singular art and rise and fall and rise again of this exceptional artist, a quick google search will give you international videos, exhibits, an HBO documentary and even a feature in a Martin Scorsese film. His art will live on in museums, galleries, private collections and the Chuck Connelly Foundation. Enjoy it all."

(Image: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)