Joe Gatto, a central figure in Impractical Jokers for nine seasons, surprised audiences by departing from the show in December 2021 during season 9. Gatto, 48, alongside fellow members of The Tenderloins comedy group—James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano—launched the reality series centered on improvisational pranks in December 2011. Despite significant popularity and success, Gatto opted to leave due to personal matters.
This article explores the reasons behind Joe Gatto’s departure from Impractical Jokers, providing insights into the comedian’s career and exit from the program that brought him widespread recognition.
Who is Joe Gatto?
Born on June 5, 1976, in Staten Island to an Italian-American family, Joe Gatto is an accomplished improvisational comedian, actor, and producer. His father’s passing from pancreatic cancer in 1995 deeply affected him. Gatto’s comedic journey began in high school when he joined the Improvisation Club, where he first connected with James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano. After college, the quartet reunited to establish The Tenderloins in 1998, an improv and sketch comedy troupe. They gained initial traction through YouTube and Myspace, achieving a breakthrough by winning $100,000 in NBC’s It’s Your Show competition for their sketch “Time Thugs.” This success paved the way for a show offer from truTV, leading to the creation of Impractical Jokers.
Impractical Jokers’ Rise to Fame
Impractical Jokers quickly became a phenomenon after its debut on December 15, 2011. Praised for its distinctive humor and hidden camera pranks, the show propelled Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano to stardom. Over its first nine seasons, the series featured numerous celebrity appearances, including Joey Fatone, Howie Mandel, Danica McKellar, Guy Fieri, and Brooke Shields. In February 2020, a feature film based on the series was released, achieving a box office gross of $10 million.
In a 2018 interview with MassLive, Gatto discussed the show’s origins, noting that the concept emerged from the collaborative efforts of all four Tenderloins members. “We considered how we could create our version of a hidden camera comedy show. We were not inclined to do conventional prank shows where we felt sympathy for those being pranked,” he explained. “Instead, we decided to make ourselves the targets, allowing the embarrassment we faced to be the comedic core of the show.”
The triumph of Impractical Jokers further expanded The Tenderloins’ television presence with The Misery Index. This game show, hosted by Jameela Jamil, aired on TBS for three seasons beginning in 2019. The show involved teams competing by ranking real-life, humorously unfortunate events on a scale of 1 to 100.
Reasons Behind Joe Gatto’s Exit
Joe Gatto announced his departure from Impractical Jokers on December 31, 2021, citing family as his primary focus. He disclosed that he and his wife, Bessy Gatto, were separating and that he needed to prioritize his roles as a father to their children, Milana (born 2015) and Remington (born 2017). This news was shared via an Instagram post, which significantly surprised fans.
“Hey everyone. Apologies in advance for the lengthy and more serious note below, but I wanted to inform you all that I will be stepping away from Impractical Jokers,” his message began. The statement resonated strongly, garnering over a million likes. “Alongside my friends, I have dedicated a decade of my life to building this franchise and am incredibly proud of our accomplishments. However, due to ongoing issues in my personal life, I need to step back,” Gatto continued. “Bessy and I have made the decision to amicably separate, and my focus now needs to be on being the best father and co-parent to our two amazing children.”
The comedian further commented, “Beyond my family, my relationships with Murr, Q, and Sal are among the most crucial in my life. I am confident they will continue to bring laughter to the world. While we are the visible faces, the show’s success is also owed to the dedicated and talented crew working behind the scenes. I am deeply grateful to have collaborated with each of them.”
Gatto expressed gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support throughout his nine seasons on the popular series. “It is said that laughter is the best medicine, and I hope I have provided some of that over the past decade. Witnessing your laughter has been my own remedy, especially during these unusual and challenging times,” he reflected. “As I navigate the challenges I am currently facing, I am eager and excited to explore new avenues to entertain you. Much love, Joe.”
Impractical Jokers Continues Without Gatto
Impractical Jokers returned for its tenth season on February 23, 2023, marking its first season without Joe Gatto and its debut broadcast across both truTV and TBS. Season 10 featured a variety of celebrity guests, including Bret Michaels, Paul Rudd, Post Malone, Kesha, and John Mayer.
Personal Updates: Reconciliation
Nearly two years after announcing his separation from Bessy in December 2021, Joe Gatto shared news of their reconciliation via Instagram. Despite this positive personal development, Impractical Jokers‘ eleventh season, which premiered on July 11, 2024, proceeded without him. The season incorporated a rotating roster of guest comedians to fill Gatto’s absence, who had initially left the show midway through season 9.