Joe Gatto (comedian)

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.

Joe Gatto
Gatto in 2010
Born
Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr.

(1976-06-05) June 5, 1976
Staten Island, New York City
Alma materLIU Post
OccupationStand-up comedian, actor
Years active1998–present
Spouse(s)
Bessy Gatto
​
(m. 2013)​
Children2

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 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".[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 on 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 nine dogs: Spumoni, Biscotti, Tartufo, Napoleon, Cannoli, Struffoli, Ganache, Panna and Cotta. Joe's other dogs died; Mishkeen in 2016, Zeppole in 2018 and Pignoli in 2020. He and his wife, Bessy, have two children, daughter Milana and son Remington "Remo" Gatto.[7]

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. "About". The Tenderloins. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  6. "The Misery Index". www.tbs.com. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  7. "'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.
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