Stephen Guarino Explained

Stephen Guarino
Birth Name:Stephen Daniel Guarino
Birth Date:14 November 1975
Years Active:2006–present
Alma Mater:Florida State University (B.A.)
The Public Theater

Stephen Guarino (born November 14, 1975) is an American actor and comedian, known as Sully Patterson on the Jim Carrey-produced Showtime series I'm Dying Up Here (2017–2018)[1] and for his recurring role as Derrick in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings,[2] a character that has since been carried over to the NBC sitcom Marry Me,[3] as well as Connor on the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken.

Discovered by Rosie O'Donnell, he was one of the prominent sketch comedy stars on the groundbreaking Logo TV series The Big Gay Sketch Show (2007–2010) with fellow comedians Kate McKinnon, Erica Ash, Colman Domingo, Jonny McGovern, Julie Goldman, Paolo Andino, Dion Flynn, and Michael Serrato.[4] In 2018, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his role as "Quincy" in the Netflix series EastSiders.[5] He also received the Outfest Best Actor award for his role in the feature film BearCity.[6]

Early life

Guarino is originally from Orlando, Florida and was a member of SAK Comedy Lab. He graduated from Florida State University as well as The Public Theater's Shakespeare program. After appearing in numerous Off-Broadway productions, Guarino was a co-creator of the Off-Broadway improv musical The Nuclear Family with fellow members Jimmy Ray Bennett, John Gregorio, and Matthew Loren Cohen.[7] Guarino was later cast on The Big Gay Sketch Show in 2005.[8]

Career

After the success of The Big Gay Sketch Show, he appeared on television shows including as well as the films Confessions of a Shopaholic, the BearCity franchise, and I Hate Valentine's Day In 2011, he moved to Los Angeles after receiving a talent deal from CBS.[9]

His first breakout role was on Happy Endings where he played Penny Hartz's (Casey Wilson) over-the-top friend Derrick for three seasons. He also appeared on The Wedding Bells, 'Til Death, The Neighbors, The Comeback, Marry Me, Finding Carter, Jessie, Sofia the First, Superior Donuts, 2 Broke Girls. He played Connor on ABC's Dr. Ken, Quincy on Netflix's EastSiders (Daytime Emmy nomination), and Sully Patterson on Jim Carrey's Showtime drama I'm Dying Up Here.

He has done three network pilots with James Burrows including Me & Mean Margaret, Relatively Happy, and Superior Donuts.

Guarino was to appear in Logan Paul's feature Airplane Mode (2019).

Directing and producing

Guarino was the director of the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase in Los Angeles (2017–unknown). Notable alumni include Tiffany Haddish, Kate McKinnon, Fortune Feimster, Justin Hires, Nicole Byer, Nasim Pedrad, John Milhiser.[10] [11]

He previously directed Kate McKinnon's one-woman show Best Actress at the Upright Citizens Brigade.[12] He directed Showgirls: Live in Drag starring RuPaul's Drag Race stars Willam Belli, Detox Icunt, and Vicky Vox.[13]

In 2015, Guarino co-produced and co-wrote a CBS sketch comedy pilot called The Night Crew with Michael Serrato, Steven Borzachillo, Mark Hurtado, and Ryan Noggle David Burtka, and Neil Patrick Harris starring himself, Tiffany Haddish, Fortune Feimster, Jimmy Ray Bennett, and Nico Santos.

Personal life

Guarino is gay.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006–2010The Big Gay Sketch ShowVarious23 episodes
2007GarrettEpisode: "Haystack"
The Wedding BellsRossEpisode: "Wedding from Hell"
2010'Til DeathRyanEpisode: "Sell the House"
2011–2020Happy EndingsDerrick8 episodes[18]
2012HustlingDon Dixon4 episodes
Nominated – Indie Series Award for Best Guest Actor – Drama
2013The NeighborsChadEpisode: "Mother Clubbers"
The GatesBrettPilot
2014The ComebackChateau hostEpisode: "Valerie Makes a Pilot"
Marry MeDerrickEpisode: "Scary Me"
Finding CarterToby4 episodes
JessieJames McMillanEpisode: "Snack Attack"
2015Life's a DragDJ Tricky DickyEpisode: "Retrograde"
Indie Series Award for Best Guest Actor – Comedy
Sofia the FirstKing Marcus (voice)Season 3, Episode 5 "Minding The Manor"
2015-2018Sorry, AriMarcus4 Episodes
2016Gay Skit HappensVarious2 Episodes
Me & Mean Margaret PaulPilot
2016–2017Relatively Happy PerryPilot
Dr. KenConnor9 Episodes
BradPilot
2 Broke GirlsRichieEpisode: "And the Stalking Dead"
2017–2018I'm Dying Up Here'Sully' Patterson10 episodes
2018-2019EastSidersQuincy19 episodes
Nominated – Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actor – Drama
Nominated – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
2018The Strivers Mark CiceroPilot
2021KenanVan Sherman-Willis1 episode
2021This Is Us Kevin's agent1 episode
2021The Sex Lives of College GirlsSips Manager3 episodes
2021Good TroubleScott FarrellRecurring role
2019-2022The GoldbergsAdministrator Dean / Dean Dean / Joseph Lynch5 episodes
2022Unconventional
2022The Really Loud HouseHoward McBride3 episodes

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 The Year That TrembledGilbert Blakely
2008 The CliqueVincent
Confessions of a ShopaholicAllon
2009An Englishman in New YorkDemonstrator
I Hate Valentine's DayBill
2010BearCityBrent RichardsOutfest Award for Best Actor[19]
2012Brent Richards
2016BearCity 3: Brent Richards-Dean
The HappysJohnathan
2018Airplane Mode Himself
2019Blind SightThe Security Guard
2019American BistroMilton Buckner
2020Catfish Killer Bud
2022ReaganMike DeaverPost Production

Awards and nominations

!Year!Work!Organization!Category!Result
2015Hustling7th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actor — DramaNominated[20]
2015Life is a Drag7th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actor — ComedyWon
2018EastSiders45th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesNominated[21]

Notes and References

  1. News: Michelle Page Joins 'Bosch'; Stephen Guarino In 'I'm Dying Up Here'. Petski. Denise. September 30, 2015. Deadline. September 12, 2018.
  2. News: Check Out The Best of Stephen Guarino on "Happy Endings"!. LOGO News. September 12, 2018.
  3. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Comedy/Stephen_Guarino_Will_Eat_You_Alive/ "Stephen Guarino Will Eat You Alive"
  4. News: The Big Gay Sketch Show - TV. Itzkoff. Dave. The New York Times . April 22, 2007 . September 12, 2018.
  5. Web site: INTO: A Digital Magazine for The Modern Queer World. www.intomore.com. September 12, 2018.
  6. News: Outfest Awards "Marine Story," "Bearcity" with 2010 Awards. Renninger. Bryce J.. July 18, 2010. IndieWire. September 12, 2018.
  7. News: THEATER REVIEW; They're Just Making It Up As They Merrily Go Along. Van Gelder. Lawrence . The New York Times . September 19, 2003 . September 12, 2018.
  8. News: The Big Gay Sketch Show - TV. Itzkoff. Dave. The New York Times . April 22, 2007 . September 13, 2018.
  9. News: Two Comedians Land Talent Holding Deals. Andreeva. Nellie. February 24, 2011. Deadline. September 12, 2018.
  10. News: CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase Gets New Co-Directors, Head Writers After Rick Najera's Exit. Pedersen. Erik. November 6, 2017. Deadline. September 12, 2018.
  11. News: CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase Has Its 2018 Cast. Pedersen. Erik. January 3, 2018. Deadline. September 12, 2018.
  12. Web site: Kate McKinnon: BEST ACTRESS. UCB Theatre. September 13, 2018.
  13. News: Showgirls in Drag at the Dragonfly: The Classic Elizabeth Berkley Film, With Cross-Dressing. Lecaro. Lina. November 15, 2011. L.A. Weekly. September 13, 2018.
  14. News: Larry . Nichols . November 27, 2014 . Out comedian stars in new talking-head show . .
  15. News: Joey . DiGuglielmo . November 4, 2014 . Comedic yin and yang . Washington Blade .
  16. Stephen . Guarino . November 22, 2011 . Stephen Guarino Will Eat You Alive . Jami Smith . The Advocate .
  17. Stephen . Guarino . July 9, 2009 . Nobody's Role Model: An Interview with Out Actor Stephen Guarino . Matthew Rettenmund . Towleroad .
  18. Web site: Sandberg . Bryn . September 29, 2015 . 'Happy Endings' Favorite Joins Showtime Pilot 'I'm Dying Up Here' (Exclusive) . October 3, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  19. News: Outfest Awards "Marine Story," "Bearcity" with 2010 Awards. Renninger. Bryce J.. July 18, 2010. IndieWire. September 13, 2018.
  20. Web site: 7th Annual Indie Series Awards - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). INDIE SERIES AWARDS. September 13, 2018.
  21. Web site: Stephen Guarino - News. IMDb. September 13, 2018.