Adam Ferrara (born February 2, 1966) is an American actor and comedian known for playing the role of Chief "Needles" Nelson on the FX series Rescue Me. He was a co-host on the U.S. version of Top Gear and played NYPD Sgt. Frank Verelli opposite Edie Falco on Showtime series Nurse Jackie. He also played Detective Tommy Manetti on the television series The Job.
Biography Ferrara grew up in Huntington Station, New York in an Italian-American family. He is married to indie actress Alex Tyler, who is on the cover of his comedy DVD Funny as Hell. She also plays the "Beautiful She Devil" in the special's introductory sketch.
Career Ferrara has performed on Comedy Central Presents and has twice been nominated for the American Comedy Award for Best Male Stand-Up. Ferrara frequently performs stand-up at Caroline's and the Comedy Cellar. Ferrara also tours often, performing stand-up at the top clubs around the country.
He has performed stand-up several times on The Tonight Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and Comedy Central. His stand-up was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties in 2004.
In 2009, Ferrara performed in an hour stand-up special which aired on Comedy Central entitled Funny As Hell, and was released on DVD the same day. Ferrara appeared on The Tony Kornheiser Show on January 24, 2013, and has made numerous in-person and telephone appearances since that time.
Ferrara co-hosted the American version of Top Gear.
He recently came up with his new podcast '30 Minutes You’ll Never Get Back', which was listed as a 'must listen' by Hidden Remote.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1993 Flying Blind Gerald Episode: "The People That Time Forgot" 1994 A&E's An Evening at the Improv Self Season 15, episode 13 1996–1998 Caroline in the City Pete Spadaro 3 episodes 1997 Social Studies Dan Rossini 2 episodes 1997 Dads Carl Sr. TV short 1999 The Love Boat: The Next Wave Stan Episode: "Prom Queen" 2001–2002 The Job Tommy Manetti 19 episodes 2003 Ash Tuesday Greg 2003 Law & Order Monty Bender Episode: "Smoke" 2004 Noise Young Detective 2004–2007 The King of Queens Waiter / Jack / Nick 3 episodes 2006 Last Request Cousin Frank 2006 A Merry Little Christmas Donnie Manning TV movie 2006–2011 Rescue Me Chief 'Needles' Nelson 50 episodes 2008 Definitely, Maybe Gareth 2009 Paul Blart: Mall Cop Sergeant Howard 2009 Winter of Frozen Dreams Burr 2009 The Unusuals Vice Detective #2 Pilot episode 2009 Around The Block Sean 2009 Ugly Betty Sammy Episode: "Blue on Blue" 2009 The Pack (TV movie)|The Pack| Cassidy
| 2010 | Dennis Leary & Friends Presents: Douchebags & Donuts| Himself
| 2011 | Dirty Movie| Dr Feelgood | Comedy movie |- | 2010–2016 | Top Gear| Host | 72 episodes |- | 2013-2015 | Nurse Jackie| NYPD Sgt. Frank Verelli | 20 episodes |- | 2014 | Hell's Kitchen| Himself | Season 13 Episode 4: "15 Chefs Compete" |- | 2017 | Kevin Can Wait| Bill | Episode: "Choke Doubt" |- | 2017 | Criminal Minds| Bob Hammond | Episode: "Hell's Kitchen" |- | 2018 | The Good Fight| Officer Glasser | Episode: "Day 436" |- | 2018 | Deception| Officer Howie Maslin | Episode: "Getting Away Clean" |- | 2018 | Little Italy| Salvatore "Sal" Angioli
| 2019 | Why Women Kill| Leo Mosconi | Episode: "Murder Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry" |- | 2021, 2024 | NCIS| Sammy | 2 episodes |- | 2023 | FBI| Detective Nick Zito | Episode: "Privilege" |- | 2025 | Elsbeth'' Gene Genetti Sr. Episode: "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"
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