Frank Caliendo Explained

Frank Caliendo Jr.
Birth Name:Frank Caliendo Jr.
Birth Date:19 January 1974
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Medium:Stand-up comedy, television, burlesque
Years Active:2000–present
Genre:Observational comedy
Subject:Impersonations, popular culture
Children:Joe, Juliet
Notable Works:Frank TV
Fox NFL Sunday

Frank Caliendo Jr. (born January 19, 1974)[1] is an American comedian, actor, and impressionist best known for his impersonations on the Fox Network television series MADtv as well as being the in-house prognosticator for Fox NFL Sunday. In 2007 and 2008, he performed impersonations on his own show, Frank TV, which aired on TBS.

He is known for his impressions and for his frequent appearances on The Bob & Tom Show. He has released six solo CDs. From 2009 to 2011 he had a show at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Early life and education

Caliendo was born in Chicago and grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he attended Waukesha South High School. He is of Italian descent.[2] Before he graduated from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Caliendo began performing stand-up comedy at local night clubs and comedy clubs, he eventually became a master of ceremonies at a local comedy club. Within a few years, he was active on the college circuit. Between 2000 and 2001, Caliendo made his television debut on Hype, a sketch comedy series and later joined the comedy series MADtv.

Career

Caliendo has performed stand-up on Premium Blend, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, The View, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties in 2004.

Caliendo has done a John Madden impression on Fox NFL Sunday, The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Mohr Sports. Caliendo has also appeared on Comedy Central's Comedy Central Presents, as well as the radio shows The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show, Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show, The Dan Le Batard Show, The Dan Patrick Show, The Junkies, Bob & Sheri, The Bob & Tom Show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Opie and Anthony, The Detroit Cast, The Don and Mike Show, Rise Guys, Bubba the Love Sponge, The John Boy and Billy Big Show, The Howard Stern Show, Mike and the Mad Dog, Elliot in the Morning, The Sports Inferno, The Rick and Bubba Show, The Roe Conn Show, Pardon My Take, The 105.7 WAPL Rick and Len Show, Preston and Steve, Bob and Brian, The Glenn Beck Program, Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD in Phoenix, and Lamont & Tonelli on 107.7 The Bone in San Francisco.

From 2001 to 2004, he also made appearances on the KQ Morning Show's annual "Live from Las Vegas" simulcast, appearing on the panel throughout the show and reprising a few bits from his stand-up act. He has appeared on Garage Logic with Joe Soucheray; co-host Matt "Rookie" Michalski's has done various impersonations.

Fox NFL Sunday

On November 5, 2000, Caliendo appeared on Fox NFL Sunday; he returned again the same season on January 7 during the playoffs. In 2001 and 2002, Caliendo returned as a semi-regular guest. In 2003, Caliendo joined Fox NFL Sunday as a regular cast member, giving his predictions for the day's NFL games.

On August 2, 2012, Caliendo announced he would not be on Fox NFL Sunday for the 2012 season;[3] he was replaced by Rob Riggle.[4]

MADtv

Caliendo officially joined the cast of MADtv in 2001 as a repertory performer, for the seventh season. In 2002, Caliendo replaced Will Sasso on the show as the impersonator of George W. Bush.[5] Caliendo also was the announcer for the best of scenes on the MADtv season 1 DVD. Caliendo left MADtv before the 2006–2007 season.[6]

Frank TV

See main article: Frank TV. Caliendo starred on Frank TV, his own sketch show on the TBS that began airing in November 2007. Caliendo was its host and performed in sketches impersonating various celebrities.

In early 2008, TBS announced that they ordered eight more episodes, which ran later that year.[7] The show ended after the fifteenth episode, which aired on December 23, 2008.

Other appearances

Caliendo's impression of President George W. Bush earned him an invitation to perform during the 2006 annual Radio-Television Correspondents Dinner.[8] Caliendo appeared in the 2007 film The Comebacks as "Chip Imitation" who impersonates John Madden and Al Michaels in the championship game.

During The Comedy Festival Caliendo hosted a special called The Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year 2008; from Caesars Palace, he introduced the top ten list for funniest films of 2008 based on an Internet poll.[9]

As of 2019, Caliendo is a recurring guest on the Barstool Sports podcast, Pardon My Take.

Personal life

Caliendo lives in Tempe, Arizona with his wife Michelle and their family.[10]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000HypeHimself/Various
2001Late FridayHimself
2001–2006MADtvHimself/Various117 Episodes
2003–2012Fox NFL SundayHimself/Various
2004Comedy Central PresentsHimself
2004National Lampoon Live: New Faces - Volumes 1 & 2Himself/host
2004Wisconsin Born & Bred: The EntertainersHimself
2005Mind of MenciaGeorge W. BushVoice only
2007Himself
2007Himself
2007Chip Imitation
2007–2008Frank TVHost/Various
2008Himself/host
2011Hot in ClevelandKennySeason 2; episode 13: "Unseparated at Birth"
2014Sullivan and SonRalphSeason 3; episode 6: "Lyle and Son"
2014The Birthday BoysHimselfSeason 1, episode 4: "Rock and Roll"
2014Gravity FallsSergeiSeason 2; episode 3: "The Golf War" (voice only)
2015, 2017Liv and MaddieVince2 episodes

Discography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rose . Mike . January 19, 2023. Today's famous birthdays list for January 19, 2023 includes celebrities Dolly Parton, Jodie Sweetin. January 19, 2023 . Cleveland.com.
  2. Web site: Thompson, Kevin D. . TV Talk Q&A: Master Impressionist Frank Caliendo . October 30, 2008 . June 18, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130620002856/http://www.pbpulse.com/news/news/tv-talk-qa-master-impressionist-frank-caliendo/nMMq2/ . June 20, 2013 .
  3. Web site: Caliendo. Frank. To all my fans who've ben asking-I wont be back atFOX this season.I love those guys,but its time 4 my next venture. Twitter. 3 August 2012.
  4. News: Rob Riggle set to replace Frank Caliendo on Fox NFL pregame. USA Today. 2012-08-27. 2012-09-23.
  5. News: Hale . Mike . The Gang's All Here Again: W, Bill and of Course Jack . The New York Times . November 27, 2007 . 18 December 2019.
  6. Web site: Condran . Ed . Frank Caliendo still making a comic career out of his wide range of impressions . thegazette.com . The Gazette . 27 December 2019.
  7. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080221tbs03 TBS Orders Eight More Episodes of Hit Late-Night Sketch Comedy Frank TV, Starring Frank Caliendo
  8. Web site: User Clip: Clip: 2006 Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner . c-span.org . National Cable Satellite Corporation . 18 December 2019.
  9. Web site: TBS Celebrates the Year's Best Comedy Movies with Funniest Movies of the Year: 2008 . thefutoncritic.com . 18 December 2019.
  10. Web site: Buchholz . Jan . Tempe may be wondering: Frank Caliendo or John Madden. 2010-12-29 . Phoenix Business Journal . American City Business Journals . 17 December 2019.