| Joe Gatto | |
| Birth Name: | Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. |
| Birth Date: | June 5, 1976 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | LIU Post (BS) |
| Years Active: | 1998–present |
| Children: | 2 |
Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. (born June 5, 1976) 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.
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] Gatto's father died in September 1995 from pancreatic cancer.
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".[5]
See main article: The Tenderloins and Impractical Jokers. 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 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".[6]
was released on February 21, 2020.
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.[7] [8] 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."[9] The couple reconciled in September 2023.
The Tenderloins hosted a podcast from April 2012 to 2013. It is available on their official website and on iTunes.
Since March 1, 2022, Gatto has been co-hosting the weekly Two Cool Moms podcast, along with comedian Steve Byrne.[10] The podcast's name derives from the two describing their mothers as: "strong, opinionated mothers who gave great advice". The podcast focuses on the two giving advice to strangers who submit a problem they're facing. Gatto and Byrne discuss the problem, deliberate, and ultimately deliver some wholesome, balls-on accurate motherly advice.[11]
On August 26, 2020, Gatto published the book: 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, which gave him inspiration to name his fourteen dogs after; the dogs he currently has are named Cannoli, Biscotti, Spumoni, Napoleon, Cotta, Struffoli, Tortoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Gnocchi, Tiramisu, Burrata, Gelato, Calzone, and Nutella.[12] [13]
Gatto and his wife Bessy have two children.[14] [15] 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 multiple dogs.[16] [17] The couple separated amicably in 2021, but reconciled in 2023.[18]
Gatto actively campaigns against bullying, and his content dealing with the issue includes various YouTube segments.[19]
Gatto is a Kentucky Colonel.[20]
Gatto is a teetotaler as well as a vegetarian.
| Title | Role | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Impractical Jokers | Himself | 2011–2021 |
| Impractical Jokers: After Party | Himself | 2017 |
| The Misery Index | Himself | 2019–2021 |
| Impractical Jokers: Dinner Party | Himself | 2020–2021 |
| Himself | 2020 | |
| Clerks III | Auditionee | 2022 |