Giovinazzo was raised in Staten Island, NY. Although both his father and sister were police officers, the family never expected young Carmine to follow in their steps – his heart was clearly with athletics. At the same time, the athlete channeled his seemingly limitless energy into creative pursuits, such as music, drawing and even making short films. Giovinazzo’s passion for sports – especially roller hockey and baseball – earned him accolades throughout his youth. In high school he was an all-star shortstop, earning a scholarship to play for Wagner College. He was also invited to work out for the Chicago Cubs. But after three years of playing college ball, a back injury cut his baseball dreams short. A temporarily crushed Giovinazzo did what he had always done in the past – turn to such creative outlets as painting and writing poetry. But as time went by, it was clear that acting was his true gift.

He appeared in some independent movies, including, “Locomotive” in 1997; “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss” and “Fallen Arches” in 1998; and “The Big Brass Ring” in 1999. He also landed a small role in the 1999 Kevin Costnerbaseball film, “For the Love of the Game.” After a few more smaller projects, including the films, “Terror Tract” (2000), “The Learning Curve” (2001), and an episode of the NBC series, “UC: Undercover” that same year, Giovinazzo secured a small part in director Ridley Scott’s military flick, “Black Hawk Down,” (2001).

Giovinazzo made his first appearance on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS, 2000- ) in the 2002 episode, “Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold,” playing a character named Thumpy G. He went on to appear in both spin-off series, “CSI: Miami” (CBS, 2002- ) and “CSI: NY,” making Giovinazzo one of the few actors to appear on all three programs. His lead character of Det. Danny Messer, a kid from the streets who studied and made good as a detective, was first introduced in a 2004 “CSI: Miami” episode, “MIA/NYC Nonstop.” Giovinazzo’s performance was so compelling, the character not only moved up to regular status in the fall or 2004, he was transferred over to the third franchise, “CSI: NY,” starring Gary Sinese and Melina Kanakaredes.

Between “CSI” gigs, he appeared in a 2003 episode of “The Guardian” (CBS, 2001-04), had a small role in the made-for-TV movie, “Columbo: Columbo Likes the Night Life,” (Abc 2003) and appeared opposite William H. Macy in the WWII film, “In Enemy Hands” (2004).