Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr.[citation needed] (born June 5, 1976[1][2]) is an American improvisational comedian, actor, and producer from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is a former member of the Tenderloins, a comedy troupe 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 in 2011, on TruTV.
Joe Gatto | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Gatto in December 2024 | |
| Born | Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr.[citation needed] June 5, 1976 New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | LIU Post (BS) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse |
Bessy Gatto (m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Joe Gatto was born in Staten Island and is of Italian descent.[3] Gatto attended Monsignor Farrell High School.[4] Along with Murray, Vulcano, and Quinn, he was a member of his high school's Improvisation Club.[5] He studied at LIU Post, where he received a degree in accounting.[6] Gatto's father died in September 1995 from pancreatic cancer.
Career
Early career
After being apart for four 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".[7]
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 series quickly became the most popular program on TruTV and boosted Gatto into the public eye.
In October 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".[8]
In 2020, Impractical Jokers: The Movie was released on February 21.
On December 31, 2021, Gatto announced he was stepping away from Impractical Jokers and the Tenderloins on good terms to focus more on co-parenting his children, after a then-split with his wife.[9][10] He stated: "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."[11] The couple reconciled in September 2023.[12]
In 2023, Gatto made a guest appearance at an Impractical Jokers performance in Boston, Massachusetts.[13] On August 25, 2024, the Impractical Jokers wrapped up a two-year long tour in Hanover, Maryland at Live! Casino & Hotel while Gatto made a surprise appearance towards the end of the show.[14]
The Tenderloins Podcast
The Tenderloins hosted a podcast from April 2012 to 2013. It is available on their official website and on iTunes.
Two Cool Moms
Since March 1, 2022, Gatto has been co-hosting the weekly Two Cool Moms podcast, along with comedian Steve Byrne.[15] The podcast's name derives from the two describing their mothers as "strong, opinionated mothers who gave great advice".[15] The podcast focuses on the two giving advice to strangers who submit a problem they're facing.[15][16]
Books
On August 26, 2020, Gatto published a book titled The Dogfather: My Love for Dogs, Dessert and Growing Up Italian. The book mainly focuses on stories about Gatto's dogs, him growing up in an Italian American household, and his love for Italian food. This gave him inspiration to name his fourteen dogs after said food; the dogs he currently has are named Cannoli, Biscotti, Spumoni, Napoleon, Cotta, Struffoli, Tortoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Gnocchi, Tiramisu, Burrata, Gelato, Calzone, and Nutella.[17][18] In 2024, he released a picture book for kids titled Where's Bearry?.[19]
Personal life
Gatto and his wife Bessy have two children.[20][21] 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 fourteen dogs.[22][23] The couple separated amicably in 2021, but reconciled in 2023.[12]
Gatto actively campaigns against bullying, and his content dealing with the issue includes various YouTube segments.[24]
Gatto is a Kentucky Colonel.[25]
Gatto is a teetotaler as well as a vegetarian.[26]
Sexual harassment allegations
On March 20, 2025, a woman on TikTok posted a number of allegations against Gatto.[27][unreliable source?] Gatto denied the allegations, but said he had "poor judgment" in the past: "I have used poor judgment and, as a result, have violated the trust of the people I love most. But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn't assault anyone."[28][unreliable source?] Three days later, People published an article from an anonymous source that made claims of sexual harassment towards Gatto. The woman claimed that she was an employee working for Gatto while he was on Impractical Jokers. According to People, their source did not provide any physical proof to back up any of these allegations, which Gatto has denied.[29][unreliable source?] Gatto cancelled the remainder of his tour on March 26, and announced he would be entering an in-patient facility.[30][unreliable source?]
Filmography
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2021 | Impractical Jokers | Himself | Main cast (239 episodes) |
| 2017 | 12 Monkeys | Officer Larry | Episode: "Causality" |
| 2017–2021 | Impractical Jokers: After Party | Himself | Main cast (29 episodes) |
| 2019–2021 | The Misery Index | Himself | Main cast (50 episodes) |
| 2020–2021 | Impractical Jokers: Dinner Party | Himself | Main cast (18 episodes) |
| 2020 | Impractical Jokers: The Movie | Himself | |
| MacGuyver | Larry | Episode: "Mac + Desi + Riley + Aubrey" | |
| Loafy | Himself | Voice role, 2 episodes | |
| 2022 | Clerks III | Auditioner | |
| 2024 | Messing with People | Himself | Television special |
| Adam Ray Is Dr. Phil Unleashed | Himself | Television special |
Bibliography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2020 | The Dogfather: My Love for Dogs, Dessert and Growing Up Italian |
| 2024 | Where's Bearry? |
References
- ^ @Joe_Gatto (June 6, 2020). "Thanks for all the birthday love yesterday friends. I appreciate all your nice words. My fans are the best. Also this one made me laugh Daniel. https://t.co/6aY3hbSuuO" (Tweet). Retrieved April 22, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto admits 'poor judgment' but denies abuse". BBC News. March 24, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
The 48-year-old US comedian...
- ^ "The untold truth of Impractical Jokers". Looper. June 1, 2016.
- ^ Steussy, Lauren (October 9, 2014). "'Impractical Jokers' spinoff shot at Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School airs tonight". silive. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "Impractical Jokers' success is rooted in a deeper vulnerability". The Buffalo News. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ Pepe, Margaret (October 20, 2015). "Impractical Joe-kers". The Pioneer. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "About". The Tenderloins. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "The Misery Index". www.tbs.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (January 1, 2022). "'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto Announces He's Leaving Troupe After A Long Run". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ a b Haward, Jenny (September 3, 2023). "Joe Gatto Reconciles with Wife Bessy Following 2022 Split: 'I'm Happy and Hopeful'". People Magazine.
- ^ Crashing the Impractical Jokers Show in BOSTON. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ "That's a wrap on the Impractical Jokers tour". Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Two Cool Moms on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ "Two Cool Moms". podnews.net. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ Gatto, Joseph (August 26, 2020). The Dogfather: My Love for Dogs, Dessert and Growing Up Italian. Cannoli Productions. ISBN 978-0-578-74752-1.
- ^ "Meet the Pups – Gatto Pups". Gatto Pups. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Joe Gatto talks new book, 'Where's Bearry?'". Good Morning America. September 5, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ Clarendon, Dan (December 22, 2017). "Impractical Jokers Star Joe Gatto Is Good With Stopping at Two Kids". Life & Style. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "LI 'Impractical Joker' Joe Gatto writes book about his love of dogs and Italian desserts". Newsday. August 28, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ @Joe_Gatto (September 5, 2017). "Some of my thoughts on bullying" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Famous Colonels". The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Being Kind & Anti-Bullying | "10" Topics with Joey G. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ Flam, Charna (March 22, 2025). "TikToker Alleges Former 'Impractical Jokers' Star Joe Gatto Sexually Assaulted Her When She Was 19". People. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ Reslen, Eileen (March 22, 2025). "'Impractical Jokers' alum Joe Gatto denies TikTok user's sexual assault allegations, admits to 'poor judgment'". Page Six. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ Richards, Bailey; Flam, Charna (March 23, 2025). "'Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto Accused by Second Woman, a Former Employee, of Inappropriate Behavior (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ Flam, Charna (March 26, 2025). "Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto Cancels Tour and Enters In-Patient Facility in Wake of Sexual Assault Allegations (Exclusive)". People.