Joe Gatto
Joe Gatto | |
|---|---|
| File:Gattoin2010.png Gatto in 2010 | |
| Born | Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. June 5, 1976 Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | LIU Post (BS) |
| Occupation(s) | Stand-up comedian, actor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse |
Bessy Gatto (m. 2013) |
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 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 stars 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]
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".[5]
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 off of Andy Breckman's card game "Shit Happens".[6]
Impractical Jokers: The Movie was released on February 21, 2020.
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 is an advocate for the "Adopt, Don't Shop" movement, encouraging people to adopt pets from shelters rather than purchase them from breeders. He has four small dogs: Spumoni, Biscotti, Tartufo, and Cannoli. He and his wife, Bessy, are the parents of two children, daughter Milana and son Remington "Remo" Gatto.[7]
References
- ^ "The untold truth of Impractical Jokers". looper.com. June 1, 2016.
- ^ "'Impractical Jokers' spinoff shot at Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School airs tonight". silive. 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ "Impractical Jokers' success is rooted in a deeper vulnerability". The Buffalo News. 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ Pepe, Margaret (October 20, 2015). "Impractical Joe-kers". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "About". The Tenderloins. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ "The Misery Index". www.tbs.com. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ "'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto's Kids (and Dogs) Will Instantly Brighten Up Your Instagram Feed". Life & Style. 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2020-01-03.