Desiderio first came to prominence in soap opera, with parts in daytime dramas such as Search for Tomorrow (1979-80), Ryan's Hope (1982) and One Life to Live (1982-83). In 1986–1987, he starred in the short-lived ABC primetime drama series Heart of the City. From 1988 to 1989 he had the recurring role of Ted Melcher in the CBS primetime soap opera, Knots Landing. Desiderio also had recurring roles on MacGruder and Loud, Cheers and The Sopranos, and guest-starred in The A-Team, Remington Steele, The Fall Guy, Matlock, Family Ties, Murder, She Wrote, Murphy Brown and Ugly Betty. He appeared in a number of made for television movies, include The Princess and the Cabbie and Once You Meet a Stranger. Desiderio co-wrote the 2007 film Save Me starring Chad Allen and his wife Judith Light.
Desiderio was born in Manhattan, the son of Mary (née Demattia) and Anthony J. Desiderio. He married Actress Judith Light in 1985. They have no children.
