His other early film roles include Mert in The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Jerry in Boys on the Side (1995), Lieutenant Wilson in Night Falls on Manhattan (1996), Romulan Commander Suran in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), the private eye in Down with Love (2003), Karl Iverson in The Terminal (2004), and David Donovan in The Manchurian Candidate (2004).
He played Mike Novick, Chief of Staff to President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert).
In 2005, he guest starred as Principal Raymond on Everybody Hates Chris; however, he was replaced upon reprising his role as Mike Novick in the fourth season of 24 (2005), returning for the last 8 episodes.
He has also guest starred on the shows Law & Order, NYPD Blue, CSI: NY and ER.
In the "Supporting Players" featurette on the 24 season 5 DVD, actress Jean Smart reveals that Ciccolella is a folk singer.