| Joe Piscopo
Beloved Comedian
Motivational Speaker
Founder of Program for At-Risk Youth
Biography
Television, film, theater, nightclubs -- they're
all fields in which JOE PISCOPO has won the acclaim and affection of millions.
For almost 20 years, Joe has proven to be one of show business' brightest
lights. After stints as a disc jockey and dinner-theater performer, Joe turned
to comedy. In 1980, he was chosen to join a newly formed ensemble charged with
one of the most difficult tasks in TV history-replacing the original cast of
Saturday Night Live.
By the time he left the show in 1985, Joe had left his mark on the program,
and the nation, thanks to his wide range of hilarious original characters and
celebrity impersonations, from The Sports Guy and Doug Whiner to David Letterman
and, of course, Frank Sinatra, who had repeatedly endorsed Joe's portrayal of
him. In addition, Piscopo starred in three HBO specials; his work in the first
of these, The Joe Piscopo Special, won him a Cable ACE Award for Outstanding
Performance. He also starred in the critically acclaimed New Jersey Special on
ABC-TV.
His work on SNL quite naturally led to Hollywood, and starring roles in such
smash hits as “Wise Guys” (with Danny DeVito) and “Johnny Dangerously” (with
Michael Keaton). Other film credits include “Dead Heat”, “Sidekicks” and the
independent feature films “Two Bits & Pepper”, Roger Corman’s, “Demolition
Day”, “The Last Request” (with Danny Aiello) and a dramatic,
critically-acclaimed performance in Jonathan Parker’s “Bartleby”.
In January 1996, Joe conquered yet another realm when he starred on Broadway
as disc jockey Vince Fontaine in Grease! (Ever the trouper, Joe insisted on
performing opening night despite conditions created by one of the worst
blizzards in history). The show's producers were so impressed with his Broadway
turn that they built a touring company around him for the summer of 1996. And
when Grease! reopened on Broadway in April, 1997 after a three-month hiatus, it
was Joe who was asked to headline the production in order to get it back on its
feet.
Joe has also recently won acclaim for his dramatic guest-starring roles on
the NBC drama, “Law and Order”. You might have also seen Joe on the HBO series
“Arli30636”, or as a guest on The FOX News Channel and the nationally syndicated
television show, “Extra”. His voice was heard on the Nickelodeon comedy series,
“The 1000 Deeds of Eddie McDowd”, and yes, that was Joe as Santa Claus in the
ABC-TV Special, “Dear Santa”.
Two years ago, Joe Piscopo established Avellino Productions. The New
Jersey-based production company has signed a television development deal with
HBO for a limited series, “Bloomfield Avenue”. Other projects include, a
half-hour sitcom, “Jersey Girls “, and “Joey Benefit”, an independent feature
film.
Advertisers have long appreciated Joe's unique relationship with his public.
He has been featured in two long-running and memorable ad campaigns, for Miller
Lite Beer and Bally's health spas. He has also appeared as spokesman for Station
Casinos in Las Vegas and GNC Nutrition Centers. Joe most recently appeared in a
nationally aired Ragu commercial with Joe Theisman, Joe Fraiser, and Evan
Marriott (a.k.a. Joe Millionaire from the popular Fox reality show).
Live performances have always been an important part of Joe's career. He has
long been one of America's most popular comedy concert attractions, filling
arenas and casino showrooms from coast-to-coast and in Canada. Joe tours with
his own original Big Band tribute to Frank Sinatra, as well as his multi-media
comedy show.
Although his unique talents are in constant demand from show business
quarters, Joe devotes an extraordinary amount of time to non-profit and
charitable activities. His willingness to perform at benefit functions knows no
limits.
Piscopo received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Mercer County, NJ and was the keynote speaker at the Big Brothers Big
Sisters National Conference in Chicago. In addition, Piscopo has received
Community Service Awards from Boys and Girls Clubs in New Jersey and Broward
Co., Fla. and is especially proud to have been recognized from Boy’s Town of
Italy in Rome.
Joe was also honored by the Police Activities League in Houston, TX and in a
ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, Joe was presented The
Leadership in the Performing Arts Award by the Coalition of Italian-American
Associations. In 1999, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed Joe
as a Commissioner on The New Jersey Commission to Deter Criminal Activity. Joe
is also proud to have represented General Colin Powell on behalf of “America’s
Promise”. In January 2002, Joe was inducted into the “Action Martial Arts Hall
of Fame”. Most recently Joe was honored by The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and in
April 2004, was selected by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations to
receive the internationally prestigious, “Ellis Island Medal of Honor.”
Perhaps nearest and dearest to Joe's heart, however, is Jersey Joe's Gyms, a
Newark program involving the city's police department and Boys and Girls Club.
The concept is twofold: To give inner-city kids a safe and fun place to develop
their minds and bodies, and to bring together police and children for mentoring
and the promotion of drug-and-violence-free behavior.
As a result of this work, Piscopo started his own foundation called “The
Positive Impact Foundation”, creating positive media for at risk youth including
the syndicated television show for teens, “Positive Impact TV”. This
groundbreaking series mixes education and entertainment to reinforce positive
behavior and lifestyles among at-risk youth from both urban and suburban
backgrounds. The Positive Impact Foundation is proudly working with The
Enterasys Networks, supplying a million dollar in-kind grant to inner-city
schools for Internet and computer access. For more information, please visit
www.positiveimpactfoundation.org
Now Joe is tackling the world of sports, where he has become the Ambassador
for his hometown Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club. In his role as
Ambassador for the Bears Joe will serve in a variety of capacities, including
sales, marketing and promotion.
Although Joe’s impressive career and public service includes several major
accomplishments, he insists his proudest achievement of all is twice being named
Father of the Year in 1983 by the National Father's Day Council, and in 1989 by
the New Jersey Council of Children's Rights. No matter how busy he may be, Joe
always makes sure he has enough time to spend at his Central New Jersey home
with his children Joey, Michael, Alexandra and newborn
Olivia.
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Bodybuilding & Personal Health
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Saturday Night Live (behind the scenes)
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Life and Health "on the road"
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Personal relationships with show-biz celebrities including Sinatra
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Comedy, music and current affairs
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