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Mario Cantone

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Mario Cantone
Cantone in April 2007
Born (1959-12-09) December 9, 1959 (age 64)[1]
Stoneham, Massachusetts, U.S.
MediumStand-up, television, film, theatre
NationalityAmerican
Years active1987–present
GenresCharacter comedy, observational comedy, physical comedy
Subject(s)Everyday life, family, celebrities, stereotypes, Italian culture, LGBT culture
Spouse
​
(m. 2011)​
Notable works and rolesAnthony Marentino on Sex and the City
Websitewww.mariocantone.com Edit this at Wikidata

Mario Cantone (born December 9, 1959) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and singer best known for his numerous stage shows. He also played Anthony Marentino in Sex and the City and Terri in Men In Trees (2006–2008). His style is fast-paced and energetic, with much of his humor coming from his impersonations of characters ranging from family members to celebrities to stereotypes.

Early life

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Cantone was born in Massachusetts, and raised in Stoneham, where his Italian-American family moved when he was two.[2] He was the fourth of five children of Mario Sr., a Boston restaurant owner, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Pescione).[3] His father moved the family to Stoneham, according to Cantone in a 2004 New York Times interview to get her away from her bookie relatives.[2] Cantone stated that the problem "was that she was not only a bookie but she was also a compulsive gambler."[2] His mother, who had been a big band singer in her youth, died when he was 21.[2]

As a child, Cantone would direct reenactments of shows.[4] Cantone's first impression was of Julia Child, which he presented in a junior high school talent show.[5] He graduated from Stoneham High School in 1978[6] and Emerson College in 1982. He befriended fellow comic Denis Leary at Emerson.[7][8] He moved to New York City in 1983 and got a job as a chocolate vendor at Trump Tower.[9]

Early career

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While working at Trump Tower, he did impressions of people while selling chocolate truffles. He later worked as a jewelry salesman, quitting a year later to pursue comedy full time. He began his professional career hosting a children's show called Steampipe Alley, which aired on New York-New Jersey superstation WWOR-TV from 1987 to 1993.[10]

Stand-up career

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In his stand-up concerts, he is known for his occasionally campy[11] impressions of entertainment personalities such as Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Bruce Springsteen, Jim Morrison, and Bette Davis as well as for his original songs.[12]

Much of his comedy derives from his boisterous Italian-American family.[2][13] Cantone, who is gay,[11] has said that he considers himself an actor and comedian who happens to be gay rather than a gay comic relying on gay jokes.[14] "Talking about being gay is a very small part of my show and when I first started I wasn't out on stage but I was out off stage, I certainly didn't lie about it on stage but if you didn't know you were an idiot and you lived in a cave after seeing me...really??"[5]

Acting career

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Sex and the City

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Cantone is known for his role in the HBO series Sex and the City as Anthony Marentino, Charlotte York's gay wedding planner who dispensed advice with a rapid fire delivery.[15]

Broadway

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Cantone made his Broadway debut in 1995, replacing Nathan Lane in the role of Buzz in Terrence McNally's Tony Award–winning play, Love! Valour! Compassion! [16][17] Later that year, he appeared in the revival of The Tempest with Patrick Stewart.[18] Several years later, Cantone did a workshop for The Lion King as Timon but was not comfortable with the makeup or manipulating a puppet and eventually left the project.[19][20] In 2002, he created and wrote his own one-man show for Broadway, An Evening With Mario Cantone.[21] A year later, Cantone starred as Gidger in Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour[22] in a part written specifically for him.[11][23] The Violet Hour received mixed reviews[24] and closed after 54 performances.[25]

In 2004, Cantone appeared as Samuel Byck in Stephen Sondheim's musical Assassins. [17] Originally slated for the 2001 Broadway season, Assassins was postponed because of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[26] [27] In 2001, Cantone had turned down the role of Carmen Ghia in Mel Brooks's The Producers.[23] His other Broadway credits include his second one-man show, Laugh Whore, which ran from October 24, 2004, to January 2, 2005, at the Cort Theatre. Laugh Whore received a Tony Award nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event and an Outer Critics Circle award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance.[13] Showtime taped the December 11, 2004 performance, which premiered on May 28, 2005.[28] It was the network's first Broadway production to air as a comedy special.[29]

In September 2010, Cantone appeared in a staged reading of the Charles Messina play A Room of My Own at The Theatre at 45 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village.[30] As of November 2012, the play was still in development with Cantone in the cast.[31][32] The Off-Broadway production is expected to begin previews in February 2016.[33]

Other works

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He started his career as the host of children's show, "Steampipe Alley," which aired in the late 1980s through 1993.

He has appeared in the Comedy Central roasts of Joan Rivers and fellow Boston-area native and Emerson College alumnus[8] Denis Leary.[34] The network's Chappelle's Show featured him in a segment called "Ask A Gay Dude."[6]

His voice-over work includes Sunsilk "hairapy" advertisements.[35] and the voice of talent scout Mikey Abromowitz in the 2007 animated movie Surf's Up.[36] He has appeared frequently on the Opie and Anthony radio show.[37]

He was a regular guest on the ABC daytime talk show The View since at least 2003 and became a guest co-host in 2005. In August 2013, he was in the news as a rumored replacement for retiring co-host Joy Behar and since 2014 has been co-hosting more frequently.[2][11][38][39]

Cantone was among the judges of the Miss America 2014 pageant.[40] He has appeared several times on The $100,000 Pyramid and Match Game as a celebrity guest star.[41]

In 2022, Cantone competed in season eight of The Masked Singer as "Maize". He was eliminated on "Andrew Lloyd Webber Night" alongside Gloria Gaynor as "Mermaid".

Personal life

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In October 2011, Cantone married his partner of 20 years, musical theater director Jerry Dixon. The ceremony was officiated by pastor Jay Bakker.[42]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Director Ref.
1994 Quiz Show Passerby Robert Redford [43][44]
Who Do I Gotta Kill? Rico Frank Rainone / James Lorinz / Rocco Simonelli [45]
1997 MouseHunt Zeppco Suit #1 Gore Verbinski [46]
2002 Pandora Tech Support Antonio Campos
And She Was Mario Frank Rainone
2003 Happy Hour Geoffrey Mike Bencivenga [47]
Crooked Lines Cliff Harry O'Reilly [48]
2005 Searching for Bobby D Casting Director Paul Borghese
The Aristocrats Himself Penn Jillette / Paul Provenza
2006 Farce of the Penguins Sidney (voice) Bob Saget [49][50]
Last Request Mr. Oliver John DeBellis
2007 Three Days to Vegas Chris Charlie Picerni [51]
Staten Island Mr. Burton James DeMonaco [52]
Surf's Up Mikey Abromowitz (voice) Ash Brannon and Chris Buck [53]
2008 Sex and the City Anthony Marentino Michael Patrick King [54]
2010 Sex and the City 2 Anthony Marentino Michael Patrick King [55]
Circus Maximus Romano Thomas J. La Sorsa.
2011 Goldberg - P.I. Bartender Steven Moskovic and Rosario Roveto Jr.
Dirty Movie The Director Jerry Daigle / Christopher Meloni [56]
2015 In Stereo John Resnick Mel Rodriguez III [57]
2017 A Very Merry Toy Store Mayor Stevens
2019 Otherhood Calvin Cindy Chupack
2020 All My Life Jerome Patterson Marc Meyers
2023 Under the Boardwalk Mr. Cacciatore (voice) David Soren

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1988–1993 Steampipe Alley Various
1994 NYPD Blue Bidder #1 Episode: "Rockin' Robin" (S 1:Ep 22)
2001 Ed Scott Hayes Episode: "Mixed Signals" (S 1:Ep 21)
2003 Chappelle's Show Himself Season 1 Episode 6
2000–2004 Sex and the City Anthony Marentino Recurring role
2004 Mouthing Off: 51 Greatest Smartasses Himself Comedy special
2005 Laugh Whore Himself Comedy special
2006–2008 Men in Trees Terri Romano Recurring role
2009 Killer Hair Leonardo TV movie
Hostile Makeover Leonardo TV movie
2011 A Mann's World Nicky TV movie
2014 Toadalees Filth, Flarn & Gee TV animated film directed by Ryan Duff
2015 Hindsight Simon Episodes: "Pilot" and "Square One"
2016 The $100,000 Pyramid Himself (celebrity guest) Episode: Mario Cantone vs. Robin Roberts
2017 Match Game Himself (celebrity guest) Season 1, Episodes 6-7[58][59]
Season 2, Episode 6
2017 The President Show Anthony Scaramucci 2 episodes
2019 Mom Sean Episode: "Wile E. Coyote and a Possessed Doll"
2020 AJ and the Queen Alma Joy Episode: "Pittsburgh"
2020–2022 Better Things Mal Martone 4 episodes
2021–present And Just Like That... Anthony Marentino 9 Episodes
2022 Girls5eva Mario Cantone Episode: "B.P.E."
The Masked Singer Maize Season 8 contestant; Episode: "Andrew Lloyd Weber Night"
2023 Pal's Missing School! Chuck E. Cheese (voice) CEC Film. Replacing Jaret Reddick
The $100,000 Pyramid Self - Celebrity Player Episode: "Deon Cole vs D'arcy Carden and Ken Jennings vs Mario Cantone"

References

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  1. ^ "Birthday: Mario Cantone". Madison.com. December 7, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Messenger, Eric (October 10, 2004) "Mario Cantone's Loud Family Reunion." The New York Times. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Mario Cantone Live!". YouTube.
  5. ^ a b Gerani, Christine, (May 22, 2013), Mario Cantone: The Interview. SpotOnLongIsland.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  6. ^ a b TCM Archive Materials Mario Catone
  7. ^ "Episode 367 - Gina Gershon". March 7, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Emerson College Notable Alumni Archived December 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Stern, Marlow (July 28, 2017). "Mario Cantone on How He Nailed His Scaramucci Impression—With a Little Help from CNN's Chris Cuomo". Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  10. ^ TV Guide, Mario Cantone: Biography.
  11. ^ a b c d Stevenson, Bill (December 9, 2003), "Super Mario", The Advocate
  12. ^ Sex and the City's Mario Cantone Talks Broadway, Impersonations, WatchMojo.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Playbill Vault, Laugh Whore Archived January 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  14. ^ Eichenwald, Wes (June 2, 2010) "Mario Cantone is out and proud – and much more" Austin360.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  15. ^ Mario Cantone Killer Comic, (originally published May 3, 2004), People magazine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  16. ^ Weber, Bruce (June 30, 2000) "Theater Review; True Love and a Crisis at Christmas (When Else)?" The New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  17. ^ a b Playbill Vault, Mario Cantone. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  18. ^ Playbill Vault, The Tempest. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  19. ^ Marks, Peter, (June 7, 2002) "C'mon, Make Me Laugh" The New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  20. ^ Rooney, David (October 24, 2002) Review: "Mario Cantone: Laugh Whore," Variety. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  21. ^ Playbill Vault, An Evening with Mario Cantone. Retrieved August 4. 2013.
  22. ^ Manhattan Theatre Club Archived July 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  23. ^ a b Ernio Hernandez (November 11, 2003) Interview with Mario Cantone Archived July 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  24. ^ For example, see Ben Brantley's November 7, 2003 review in The New York Times, Charles Isherwood's November 6, 2003 review in Variety, and John Simon's November 17, 2003 review in New York magazine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  25. ^ Playbill Vault, The Violet Hour Archived September 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  26. ^ Ernio Hernandez (April 22, 2004). "The Shots Heard Round the World: Musical Assassins Opens on Broadway" Archived October 30, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.
  27. ^ Sarah Beaumont (14 December 2003). "Something Just Broke". Sondheim.com.
  28. ^ Ernio Hernandez (25 April 2005) Broadway's Laugh Whore with Mario Cantone Premieres on Showtime May 28. Archived July 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Playbill.com. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  29. ^ Levin, Gary and Bianco, Robert, (July 21, 2004) "Alley throws her weight behind series." USA Today. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  30. ^ Lenzi, Linda (September 21, 2010). "Photo Coverage: Cantone, Macchio et al. in A ROOM OF MY OWN".
  31. ^ Playbill (November 8, 2012) Mario Cantone, Rachel Dratch, Zach Galligan Set for Reading of A Room of My Own Archived July 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  32. ^ "Charles Messina - Playwright, Screenwriter, Director, Author. The Official Website". Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  33. ^ "Mario Cantone and Ralph Macchio Starring in Off-Broadway World Premiere". Playbill.com. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  34. ^ "Mario Cantone | Stand-Up Comedian | Comedy Central Stand-Up". Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  35. ^ Lippert, Barbara (August 21, 2006) Barbara Lippert's Critique: The Mane Man. Adweek. Retrieved August 4, 2013
  36. ^ "Mario Cantone Interview – SURF'S UP". Collider.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  37. ^ "Mario Cantone Booking Agent Info & Pricing | Private & Corporate Events". Bookingentertainment.com. June 13, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  38. ^ Carly Mallenbaum, (July 30, 2013) "Who Should Replace Joy Behar" USA Today. Retrieved on August 4, 2013
  39. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 31, 2013). "The View Says Goodbye to Joy Behar — and Who Should Replace Her?". TV Guide. Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  40. ^ Harp, Justin (August 14, 2013). "Amar'e Stoudemire, Mario Cantone to judge Miss America pageant". Digital Spy. New York City: Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  41. ^ "S1 E02 Ana Gasteyer vs Rachel Dratch and Robin Roberts vs Mario Cantone". ABC.com. New York City: Disney–ABC Television Group (Disney Media Networks) (The Walt Disney Company). Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  42. ^ Triggs, Charlotte (October 28, 2011). "Mario Cantone marries his partner of 20 years". Cnn.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  43. ^ "Quiz Show". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  44. ^ Goodwin, Richard N. (2014). Remembering America: A Voice from the Sixties (Paperback ed.). New York City: Open Road Integrated Media. ISBN 978-1497676572.
  45. ^ "Who Do I Gotta Kill?". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  46. ^ "MouseHunt". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  47. ^ "Happy Hour". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  48. ^ "Crooked Lines". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  49. ^ "Farce of the Penguins". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  50. ^ "March of the Penguins". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  51. ^ "Three Days to Vegas". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  52. ^ "Staten Island". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  53. ^ "Surf's Up". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  54. ^ "Sex and the City". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  55. ^ "Sex and the City 2". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  56. ^ "Dirty Movie". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  57. ^ "In Stereo". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  58. ^ "Watch Match Game Season 1 Episode 06 Episode 6 Online". Abc.go.com.
  59. ^ "Watch Match Game Season 1 Episode 07 Episode 7 Online". Abc.go.com.
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