The star-studded cast of “Wizard of Lies,” HBO’s Bernie Madoff movie, has added another name to its lineup: Hank Azaria. The long-time star of “The Simpsons” will play Frank Dipascali, Bernie’s right-hand man in the Ponzi scheme. Dipascali referred to himself as the “director of options trading” and “chief financial officer” for Madoff Investment Securities LLC and worked on the secretive 17th floor, where much of the fraud was carried out. He pled guilty but died in May 2015 before his sentencing.
Azaria joins previously announced cast members Robert DeNiro (Bernie Madoff), Michelle Pfeiffer (Ruth Madoff) and Alessandro Nivola (Mark Madoff). The project, which will be directed by Barry Levinson, will be a look behind the scenes at Bernie Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme, how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and Madoff’s family.
“Wizard of Lies” is based on New York Times author Diana Henriques’ 2012 book of the same name, with additional source material from Laurie Sandell’s “Truth and Consequences.” Levinson and De Niro are exec producing along with Jane Rosenthal and Berry Welsh. Jason Sosnoff is co-exec producing. John Burnham Schwartz, Sam Baum and Sam Levinson are writing.
