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Paul Iacono
BornSeptember 7, 1988
Secaucus, New Jersey, USA
EducationProfessional Performing Arts School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • comedian
Years active1997–present
Notable workFame (2009) The Hard Times of RJ Berger (2010-2011)
Height5'5 (165 cm)

Paul Iacono is an American actor. He is best known for portraying RJ Berger in the MTV scripted series The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

Early years

Iacono's parents,[1][2] Michele and Anthony, are Italian American.[3][4] He has a younger brother, who works as DJ in New Jersey, and a sister, from his Dad's second marriage.[5] Iacono went to Professional Performing Arts School in New York,[6][7] with friend and Fame co-star Paul McGill. He graduated in 2006.[7]

At eight years old, Iacono was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He soon began receiving chemotherapy treatments and has been in remission since he was eleven years old.[5][8]

Career

A graduate of NYC's Professional Performing Arts School, Iacono is best known for his portrayal of the title character on MTV's, The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

Paul first gained wide notice for his numerous appearances on TV's The Rosie O'Donnell Show after Rosie O'Donnell discovered his unique talents for impersonating Frank Sinatra and Ethel Merman, at age 8.[9]

Starting out as child actor in the NYC theater scene, Paul has appeared in over 100 theatrical productions. He has shared the stage with such greats as Mickey Rooney in The Wizard of Oz and Stephanie Mills in the original "Paper Mill Playhouse" production of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden. Iacono can be heard on the original cast recording. Other theatrical credits include Mame with Christine Ebersole, Noël Coward's Sail Away with Elaine Stritch[9] and Marian Seldes, and John Guare's Landscape of the Body, with Lili Taylor and Sherie Rene Scott.

Paul's film career includes the MGM's remake of Fame, No God, No Master with David Strathairn, and Darren Stein's teen comedy, G.B.F..[5] Other films include Drew Barrymore's, Animal, Rhymes with Banana with Zosia Mamet and Judith Light, and "Unreachable by Conventional Means," with Alexandra Daddario and Tovah Feldshuh. According to Entertainment Weekly, co-star Megan Mullally gave Iacono high praise for his improvisational acting and singing skills.

Iacono appears in an Adidas commercial featuring rapper Bobby Ray "B.o.B" Simmons Jr and also appears in Bobby Ray's Music Video "Magic", featuring Rivers Cuomo.

As a creator, Paul wrote and produced the NY play, "Prince/Elizabeth",[10] and is in development on his second pilot, "GIF'ted".[5]

As a writer, Iacono wrote the play "High Priest". In 2024, a world premiere reading of "High Priest" was held at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club directed by Rachel Klein. The piece followed the history of the Factory focusing on Ondine, Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgewick, Billy Name, Paul Morrissey, Lou Reed, Nico, and others. The reading featured a post show discussion with Danny Fields and Vincent Fremont.[11][12]

Personal life

Iacono is gay and a major LGBTQ activist, having publicly come out in Michael Musto's Village Voice Column in April 2012.[13] He was named one of OUT Magazine's 100 most influential gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people for 2013.[14]

In an April 2012 interview with Michael Musto from The Village Voice, Iacono revealed that he is attracted to both men and women, but prefers men much more and identifies as a gay man and as bisexual. Iacono stated that "I am attracted to girls, I'm just attracted to guys much more."[13]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Winter Solstice Jr. (Uncredited)
2005 Shakes Young Shakes (Short)
2008 Glow Ropes: The Rise and Fall of a Bar Mitzvah Emcee Ricky Lopefrawitz
2008 Return to Sleepaway Camp Pee Pee
2009 Fame Neil Baczynsky [6]
2010 Consent Mickey
2012 Mac & Devin Go to High School Mahatma Chang Greenberg
2012 No God, No Master Tony Cafiero
2012 Rhymes with Banana Ted
2013 G.B.F. Brent Van Camp
2014 Animal Sean
2017 Dating My Mother Richard
2018 The Bad Guys Paul

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Dora the Explorer Benny the Bull Episode "Maestra"
2005 The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie Party Boy (TV Movie)
2007 Human Giant Billy Boy 2 Episodes
2010-2011 The Hard Times of RJ Berger R.J. Berger 24 Episodes
2014 Chozen Fridget Voice

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Children of Eden Donny Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey
1998 The Wizard of Oz
1999 Mame Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey
2006 Landscape of the Body Donny Signature Theatre, New York City
2007 The Dark at the Top of the Staris Punky Givens Transport Theatre Company at the Connelly Theatre, New York City.
2015 Mercury Fur Lola The New Group, New York City
2024 High Priest Ondine La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, New York City

References

  1. ^ Paul Iacono Interview — JJJ Exclusive!
  2. ^ Wright, E. Assata. "The biggest loser" The Union City Reporter; June 20, 2010; Page 6
  3. ^ "Hoboken arrest on drug and DWI charges leads to former Secaucus town administrator Anthony Iacono losing job as Passaic's business administrator". The Star-Ledger. February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. ^ Wright, E. Assata (August 29, 2009). "Baby, remember his name; Secaucus native Paul Iacono to co-star in 'Fame' remake". The Hudson Reporter. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d Visco, Gerry (January 16, 2014). "Paul Iacono is Our New G.B.F." Interview. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Tucker, Reed (September 20, 2009). "The real 'Fame'". New York Post. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Vilensky, Mike (June 4, 2010). "The Hard Times of RJ Berger's Paul Iacono on the Pros and Cons of Playing a Huge-Wanged High-Schooler". vulture.com. vulture.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "Exclusive: MTV's Paul Iacono: I Almost Died of Leukemia at Age 8". Us Weekly. April 7, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Wong, Curtis M (March 9, 2015). "Paul Iacono Promises Tears, Laughs And Plenty Of (Emotional) Nudity In His NYC Cabaret Debut". HuffPost. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  10. ^ "Paul Iacono Presents PRINCE/ELIZABETH Reading 9/9". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  11. ^ "Danny Fields and Vincent Fremont Join High Priest Reading Q&A at La MaMa | Playbill".
  12. ^ "La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club Will Present Reading of Paul Iacono's High Priest | Playbill".
  13. ^ a b Musto, Michael (April 11, 2012). "Paul Iacono's Coming Out Interview". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Nededog, Jethro (July 10, 2014). "'Scandal's' Guillermo Diaz, 'RJ Berger's' Paul Iacono and 'Fosters' Producers Make OUT 100 List". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.

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