Tony Tripoli (December 2, 1969) [1] is an American actor, comedian and LGBT rights activist. [2] He performs his stand-up comedy throughout the United States, and has produced, written and appeared on numerous TV series.
Tripoli was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where his parents owned a florist's shop. [1] [3] When he was young, his mother would take him to the launderette, where he would stand on the washing machines and sing for the customers there. [4] He performed with The Phoenix Boys Choir for several years. [5] After graduating from Central High School, he moved to Los Angeles, where he lived for 30 years. [5] He went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. [5] He moved backed to Phoenix in 2017. [5]
In 1987, he appeared in a local production of Neil Simon's play Brighton Beach Memoirs at The Phoenix Little Theatre. [6] He has appeared on cruise ships, had a brief stint as a Chippendales stripper, was Aladdin at Disneyland, performed at the Laugh Factory, and once had a gig singing for the American Plumber's Association. [5] [7]
He was the co-executive producer and head writer of Fashion Police , with the late Joan Rivers. [2] He was a producer and cast member on Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best?. [2] He produced In Bed with Joan and What She Said, and was a staff writer on The Dish . [2] He has appeared on television shows such as Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List , Fashion House and Two and a Half Men . [2] [5] [1]
He has appeared on TV Guide's Funniest Commercials, TV Guides Hollywood's Sexiest Couples, Gossip Queens, Frank TV , Pretty Hurts , and E!'s 50 Super Epic TV Moments. [2] [8] [9] He was also in the 2008 TV movie, Screening Party. [10]
He performs his stand-up comedy throughout the United States and opened for Joan Rivers for 4 years. [2] He discusses a number of topics in his standup ranging from sex and dating to his family and pop culture. [7] After her death, he began touring in a tribute show called "The Bitch Is Back", featuring Joan Rivers impersonator Joe Posa. [3]
He is openly gay, and his dog Bingham, frequently travels with him on tours. [11] [12]
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Non-conformist Arnold Epstein (Tony Tripoli)...Tripoli's portrayal of Epstein deserves special note.
I've always been completely openly gay and out of the closet.