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Joe Gatto (comedian)

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Joe Gatto
Joe Gatto.jpg
Gatto in 2017
Born
Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr.

(1976-06-05) June 5, 1976 (age 45)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materLIU Post (BS)
OccupationStand-up comedian, actor
Years active1998–2021 (on hiatus)
Spouse(s)
Bessy Haggar
​
​
(m. 2013; separated 2021)​
Children2

Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. (born June 5, 1976) is an American comedian, actor, and producer from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is a former member of the Tenderloins, a comedy troupe also consisting of Sal Vulcano, James Murray, and Brian Quinn. Along with the other members of the Tenderloins, he starred in the television series Impractical Jokers, which first aired on December 15, 2011, on TruTV.

Early life

Gatto was born in Staten Island and is of Italian descent.[1] Gatto attended Monsignor Farrell High School.[2] Along with Murray, Vulcano, and Quinn, he was a member of his high school's Improvisation Club.[3] He studied at LIU Post, where he received a degree in accounting.[4] Gatto's father died in 1995.[5]

Career

Early career

After being apart for years, Murray, Gatto, and Vulcano reunited after graduating from college and began practicing improvisation at Gatto's house, going on to tour as an improv and sketch comedy troupe in 1998, calling themselves the Tenderloins.

The Tenderloins began producing comedy sketches together, posting them on YouTube, Myspace, and Metacafe, accumulating millions of views online. In 2007, the troupe won the $100,000 grand prize in the NBC It's Your Show competition for the sketch "Time Thugs".[6]

Impractical Jokers and other television shows

Impractical Jokers premiered on December 15, 2011 on TruTV. The first season was watched by over 32 million viewers. The show quickly became the most popular series on TruTV and has boosted Gatto into the public eye.

In 2019, Gatto, along with the other members of the Tenderloins, starred in The Misery Index, which is hosted by Jameela Jamil and is based on Andy Breckman's card game "Shit Happens".[7]

Impractical Jokers: The Movie was released on February 21, 2020.

On December 31, 2021, Gatto announced he was stepping away from Impractical Jokers and the Tenderloins to focus more on co-parenting his children, after a split with his wife.[8][9] The decision was quickly met with an outcry of support and approval from both fans and the other members of the Tenderloins.[10]

The Tenderloins Podcast

The Tenderloins began hosting a podcast in April 2012. It is available on their official website and on iTunes.

Personal life

Gatto and his estranged wife, Bessy, have two children, daughter Milana (born 2015) and son Remington (born 2017).[11][12] Gatto is an advocate for the "Adopt, Don't Shop" movement, encouraging people to adopt pets from shelters rather than purchase them from breeders. They have had multiple dogs.[13][14]

On December 31, 2021, Gatto announced that he was leaving the Tenderloins, and would be focusing on his family issues: "However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away. Bessy and I have decided to amicably part ways, so now I need to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids."[15]

References

  1. ^ "The untold truth of Impractical Jokers". looper.com. June 1, 2016.
  2. ^ "'Impractical Jokers' spinoff shot at Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School airs tonight". silive. October 9, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Impractical Jokers' success is rooted in a deeper vulnerability". The Buffalo News. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  4. ^ Pepe, Margaret (October 20, 2015). "Impractical Joe-kers". The Pioneer. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  5. ^ Impractical Jokers - Murr's Directorial Debut (Punishment) | truTV, retrieved September 10, 2021
  6. ^ "About". The Tenderloins. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  7. ^ "The Misery Index". www.tbs.com. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  8. ^ "Joe Gatto's Instagram post: "Hey, Everyone. Sorry in advance for the long and more-serious-than-usual note below, I just wanted to let you all know that I will no…"". Instagram. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Bessy Gatto on Instagram: "Hi everyone. With love and respect, we have decided to separate. Although we will no longer be a couple, we will always be a family to our…"". Instagram. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Instagram Post by Sal Vulcano". Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto's Kids (and Dogs) Will Instantly Brighten Up Your Instagram Feed". Life & Style. June 4, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Impractical Jokers Star Joe Gatto Is Good With Stopping at Two Kids". Life & Style. December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "LI 'Impractical Joker' Joe Gatto writes book about his love of dogs and Italian desserts". Newsday. August 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Salamone, Gina (August 26, 2020). "Joe Gatto of 'Impractical Jokers' writes book about his 8 dogs, explains how show will shoot amid coronavirus". New York Daily News.
  15. ^ Haring, Bruce (January 1, 2022). "'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto Announces He's Leaving Troupe After A Long Run". Deadline Hollywood.

External links

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