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.

Biography

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]

Career

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]

Personal life

He is openly gay, and his dog Bingham, frequently travels with him on tours.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tony Tripoli". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Ray, Linda (July 11, 2019). "Laughing Stock: Pride and Predicates". Tucson Weekly.
  3. ^ a b Teeman, Tim (May 31, 2016). "How I Used Kim Kardashian To Rouse Joan Rivers From Her Coma". The Daily Beast.
  4. ^ Nunn, Jerry (July 22, 2014). "Tony Tripoli tag-teams with The Cabaret Project - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Pela, Robrt L. (November 19, 2018). "Under the Sun: Comedian Tony Tripoli Returns Home to Phoenix". Phoenix New Times.
  6. ^ Coolidge, Joy (November 24, 1987). "'Blues' breaks Simon's comedy mold". The Arizona Republic. p. C7 – via Newspapers.com. Non-conformist Arnold Epstein (Tony Tripoli)...Tripoli's portrayal of Epstein deserves special note.
  7. ^ a b "Meet Tony Tripoli". VoyagePhoenix. September 5, 2019.
  8. ^ "Tony Tripoli: Dirty, Sexy, FUNNY!". brownpapertickets.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Baldwin, Greg; Shin, Jimmy (October 29, 2017). "Tony Tripoli Gets Seriously Schooled by Joan Rivers". Second Chances Podcast. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "Tony Tripoli". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Klein, Aiden (August 10, 2012). "Trippin' back to Seattle". Seattle Gay News. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com. I've always been completely openly gay and out of the closet.
  12. ^ Brown, Deon (November 2018). "Ham & Hound, Tony Tripoli laffs it up". ION Arizona (209): 35–37.

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