Italian Comedians from the Stage and Screen

Get your laugh on with these well-known Italian American comedians

Comedians will find anything to poke fun at. Whether it’s about the political climate, their commute to work, or their upbringing, there’s a joke for it. This is especially true when the jokes are written by Italians for Italians. You’re bound to find a crack about living with your parents for too long or eating one too many plates of pasta. Here are more than a few comedians that have these jokes down to a science.

SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO 

Sebastian Maniscalco popularized Italian American comedy. He went from working at the Four Seasons Hotel and headlining Bowling Alleys to selling out Madison Square Garden. His father immigrated to the United States from Sicily, part of which serves as the basis of his material. 

All his comedic material is based on growing up in an Italian Immigrant family making his comedy unique and extremely relatable to first- and second-generation Italian families. Maniscalco has had a number of successful comedy specials on Netflix like What’s Wrong with People, Why Would You Do That? and most recently Stay Hungry.

Maniscalco’s successful career in comedy has led him into the world of acting. He has starred in the Martin Scorsese film The Irishman, portraying Crazy Joe Gallo. He has also had appearances in Tag, Green Book, and Cruise. You can also find Maniscalco hosting his podcast, The Pete and Sebastian Show, with fellow Italian Comedian, Pete Correale.

ANTHONY RODIA 

Social media has helped changed the way artists expand their audiences. With the coronavirus lockdown, many staying at home turned to social media. Many comedians saw their followings dramatically increase. One of the many success stories from the year in lockdown is that of Anthony Rodia.

Rodia started making videos on Facebook with viral filters portraying his Italian family. These relatable family videos spread like wildfire amongst the Italian community in America. His most notable characters, Uncle Vinny, and Road Rage Wednesday skits have brought him to the top of the Italian comedic genre. 

You can find Anthony Rodia at one of his upcoming shows on his Road Rage Tour. 

MIKE MARINO

Few have been in the comedy game longer than Mike Marino. Marino originally wanted to become an actor and left for Hollywood at 18 years old. Marino dedicated his life to the entertainment industry and ended up falling into the world of comedy, where he found massive success. Marino did find the screen, performing in over 200 national television commercials, shows, and soap operas. 

Marino’s comedic style ranges from observational to comments about his Italian Family. You’ll get a crack at something he saw on the way to work, or a conversation he had at his family dinner table and what it was like growing up Italian. Marino is also credited with creating the “Italian American President” comedy skit. This is one of the first viral Italian American videos on YouTube in which he coined the phrase, “Make America Italian Again.” 

In the fall of 2008, Marino was inducted into the New Jersey comedy hall of fame. Then in 2015, Marino received the USO Bob Hope award. This award was given to him for his many performances for the military. 

GOUMBA JOHNNY

Goumba Johnny is a jack of all trades. He is a radio host, comedian, actor, and author. After graduating college, Johnny signed as a free agent for the New York Jets and then for the New York Giants. Neck injuries ultimately ended his sports career dreams. After his sports career ended, he started “Broadway Bodyguards,” a company that escorted celebrities and businessmen out and around New York City. It was through this he worked with megastars like Smokey Robinson, Sam Kinison, and Malcolm Forbes.

Johnny spent years on the radio as a writer for comedy bits on New York’s Z-100 and Los Angeles’ KIIS FM. KTU in New York found him and originally brought him on as a writer. His chemistry in the radio station, they brought him out from the writers’ room and put him behind the mic. Johnny became a successful co-host for KTU’s evening show and the morning show as well. From radio, he ventured into comedy where he performs at famous comedy clubs like Caroline’s in Manhattan and the Borgata in Atlantic City. 

In addition to headlining his own shows, Goumba Johnny tours nationally with list mate, Anthony Rodia.

JOEY GORGA 

Reality television star, Joey Gorga, is a household name in the Italian American community. He co-stars in the wildly popular, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” series on Bravo TV.  Fans avidly follow the lives of Joey and his wife, Melissa Gorga. After becoming one of the most popular characters on the show, Gorga wanted to showcase some of his other talents, such as comedy. 

Gorga’s debut comedy tour, titled Jersey Boys, has received national success and rave reviews. Gorga tours with Mike Marino, who serves as his mentor in the world of comedy. In the years to come, Gorga will be one of the most memorable Italian comedians in the game. 

RAY ROMANO

This household name is best known for his role as the well-intentioned, yet bumbling father on the hit comedy television series, Everybody Loves Raymond. Ray Romano grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, an area that would provide a lot of his comedic content. 

Throughout the 1980s, Romano held a lot of part-time jobs before getting his start in stand-up comedy. He won a comedy contest in 1989, pushing him to citywide fame, then in 1990, he earned himself a spot on MTV’s Half-hour Comedy. Romano’s appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman marked the turning point in his career, when Letterman’s production company helped produce the sitcom based on Romano’s life. 

Romano found success as an actor while being a stand-up comedian. You can find him in films like Grilled, and Funny People. His voice can be heard in the iconic Ice Age series. 

LISA LAMPANELLI 

Growing up in Trumbull, CT, Lisa Lampanelli has been a pillar of the comedy scene for over 30 years. Lampanelli has a handful of Grammy nominations, guest starred on national TV, and has been on numerous tours.

Lampanelli got her comedic start in the early 90s. She found her big break in 2002 with the roast of Chevy Chase. Since then, she has been on the roasts of Denis Leary, Pamela Anderson, Jeff Foxworthy, and William Shatner. Her comedic influence started with the roasts Dean Martin used to televise, only developing her standup when she became one herself. 

In 2018, Lampanelli announced her retirement from comedy on the Howard Stern Show, saying that she will become a life coach. 

ADAM FERRARA

American Actor and comedian, Adam Ferrara may best be known for his role on Rescue Me as Chief “Needles” Nelson. Entertainment Weekly has called him “Hilarious,” and has been a television sensation. Ferrara was a co-host on the acclaimed BBC show, Top Gear US for six seasons. He developed his love of muscle cars from his Italian father, who taught him how to repair cars while holding a flashlight. Ferrara makes sure to incorporate his upbringing into his comedy routines.

When Ferrara is not on tour, you can hear him on his breakout podcast, The Adam Ferrara Podcast. You can catch Ferrara on tour now.