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.
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 NBCIt's Your Show competition for the sketch "Time Thugs".[5]
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".[6]
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.[10]
In 2023, Gatto made a guest appearance at an Impractical Jokers performance in Boston, Massachusetts.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13] The podcast's name derives from the two describing their mothers as "strong, opinionated mothers who gave great advice".[13] The podcast focuses on the two giving advice to strangers who submit a problem they're facing.[13][14]
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.[15][16] In 2024, he released a picture book for kids titled Where's Bearry?.[17]
Personal life
Gatto and his wife Bessy have two children.[18][19] 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.[20][21] The couple separated amicably in 2021, but reconciled in 2023.[10]
Gatto actively campaigns against bullying, and his content dealing with the issue includes various YouTube segments.[22]
On March 20, 2025, a woman made a number of allegations against Gatto, posting on TikTok her experience with the comedian.[25] Gatto denied the allegations, though admitted that 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."[26]
On March 23, 2025, People published an article from a 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 didn't provide any physical proof to back up any of these allegations which Gatto had denied.[27] Gatto cancelled the remainder of his tour on March 26, and announced he would be entering an in-patient facility.[28]
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