Sal Vulcano
Sal Vulcano | |
|---|---|
 Vulcano in 2017 | |
| Born | Salvatore Edward Anthony Vulcano November 6, 1976 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | St. John's University (BS) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Website | salvulcanocomedy |
Salvatore Edward Anthony Vulcano (born November 6, 1976) is an American improvisational and stand-up comedian, actor, and producer from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is a member of The Tenderloins, a comedy troupe consisting of himself, James Murray, Brian Quinn, and formerly Joe Gatto.[1] Along with the other members of The Tenderloins, he stars in the television series Impractical Jokers, which first aired on December 15, 2011, on TruTV.
Early life
Vulcano was born in Staten Island, and is of Italian, Cuban, and Puerto Rican descent.[2] He attended Monsignor Farrell High School,[3] along with Gatto, Murray, and Quinn, he was a member of his high school's Improvisation Club, as they saw it as a way to express themselves and meet girls.[4] He received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in 1998.[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 1999, 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".
Impractical Jokers and other television shows
Impractical Jokers premiered on December 15, 2011, on TruTV, which was watched by over 32 million viewers in its first season. The show has become the most popular series on TruTV and has boosted Vulcano into the public eye. As of November 2017, Sal was the most punished joker on the show.[6]
In 2019, Vulcano, 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." The series was renewed for a third season.[7]
In February 2021, as a result of a punishment on the show, Vulcano has been renamed to Prince Herb for the rest of the show's season as well as in all his media appearances.[8] The punishment episode aired on April 29, 2021.[9]
What Say You? podcast
What Say You?, an occasional podcast hosted by Vulcano and Quinn, was named Best New Show at the 2013 Stitcher Awards.[10][better source needed] The increased popularity of What Say You sparked a friendly competition among the friends, spurring Gatto and Murray to release their own Tenderloins podcast without the other two members. In 2015, What Say You? was nominated for the Comedy, Entertainment, and Best Produced Podcast Awards at the 10th Annual Podcast Awards.[10][better source needed] They have stated that the podcast is their own side project, not a replacement of The Tenderloins Podcast. The group explained that it was difficult to coordinate the schedules of all four members outside of work, making it challenging to produce their troupe's official podcast with any regularity.
Personal life
Vulcano suffers from germophobia,[11] acrophobia,[12] and ailurophobia.[13] On an episode of Impractical Jokers, he claimed that he was hit by a car at the age of four.[14] Vulcano has two tattoos of Jaden Smith; one on his left thigh which he received as a punishment on the show,[15] and an updated portrait on his right thigh which he received as part of a segment in Impractical Jokers: The Movie.[16]
An ordained minister, Vulcano officiated fellow Tenderloins member Joe Gatto's wedding.[17]
References
- ^ Haring, Bruce (January 1, 2022). "'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto Announces He's Leaving Troupe After A Long Run". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Bucholtz, Meg (November 5, 2019). "What Sal Vulcano was doing before Impractical Jokers took off". Looper.com.
- ^ Steussey, Lauren (October 9, 2014). "'Impractical Jokers' spinoff shot at Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School airs tonight". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ O'Shei, Tim (January 19, 2018). "Impractical Jokers' success is rooted in a deeper vulnerability". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "St. John's Alumni and Students Collaborate on Hit Show". St. John's University. May 11, 2020.
- ^ Favicchio, Stefanie (November 16, 2017). "Which 'Impractical Joker' Has Been "Punished" the Most? The Answer May Surprise You…". In Touch Weekly. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ Bowman, Sabienna (January 3, 2021). "Misery Index Season 3 Release Date, Cast, And Plot - What We Know So Far". Looper.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ Tauber, Michelle (February 4, 2021). "Sal Vulcano on Making Season 9 of Impractical Jokers COVID-Safe — and His 'Regal' New Name". People.
- ^ "Impractical Jokers – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "What Say You?". Stitcher. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ Lerman, Ali (October 19, 2015). "Sal Vulcano Really Hates Continental Breakfast". OC Weekly. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ David, C.; Szabo, Sarah (June 1, 2016). "The untold truth of Impractical Jokers". Looper.com. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "Man With Immense Fear Of Cats Gets Forced To Experience The Cuteness Of Kittens". Bored Panda. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "Puncture Perfect". Impractical Jokers. Season 3. Episode 15. May 29, 2014. TruTV.
- ^ Lerner, Will (July 21, 2017). "'Impractical Jokers' Stars Talk Getting Jaden Smith Tattoo and Meeting the Man Himself". Yahoo. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ Cutler, Jacqueline (February 13, 2020). "'Impractical Jokers: The Movie' Team Talks Paula Abdul, Road Trip Comedy". Variety.
- ^ Anderson, Nicole. "Sal Vulcano - 5 Things You May Not Know About the 'Impractical Jokers' Star". Someecards. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
External links
- Sal Vulcano at IMDb