My Cousin Vinny hit theaters on March 13, 1992. While it would go on to gross a respectable $52.9 million at the box office, the comedy took on a life of its own thanks to film rentals and countless airing on cable.
The film was anchored by outstanding performances from Joe Pesci as the titular Vinny Gambini, who is called upon by his cousin Bill (Ralph Macchio) to represent him and his friend, Stan (Mitchell Whitfield), in a trial for a murder they did not commit.
My Cousin Vinny would also see standout performances from character actor Lane Smith, who played district attorney Jim Trotter III, and Fred Gwynne in his final film role before his untimely death as Judge Chamberlain Haller.
However, the breakout star of the film, without a doubt, was Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito, the girlfriend to Pesci’s Vinny. Her performance would go on to win Tomei an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
For fans of My Cousin Vinny, the film is endlessly quotable. In honor of its anniversary, here are 15 hilarious quotes from the iconic comedy.