JOE PISCOPO—COMEDIAN, actor, singer and entertainer, has once again re-invented his career. He had successfully placed himself at the Las Vegas Hilton in the Shimmer Theater entertaining the audience with his keen wit, carefree sense of humor and his talents as a performer. [Editor's Note: Joe's show is now over, please see www.joepiscopo.com for current schedule.]

His show titled "Joe Piscopo Live" is original in a sense that he brings his style and humor to a genre that is performed by others that do not give a sense of originality like Joe does.

The foundation of the show is ole time Las Vegas "Sinatra style." A time when performers such as Louis Prima, Shecky Green, Wayne Newton and many more, would perform in an intimate lounge theater atmosphere. "In this type of situation you are close to the audience, you shake their hands and you talk to them," states Joe Piscopo. It's also a presentation of live music at its finest, the way Vegas used to be.

Joe's band consists of veteran arranger and pianist, Vinnie Falcone, a former Sinatra pianist and conductor. Vinnie is a local and also conducts and plays for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. Artie Schroeck plays vibes and is a Grammy Award Winner for Frankie Valle's "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." He is an extremely accomplished musician and composer. Artie also lives in Las Vegas. On drums Tommy Check, quitar Tom Mc Dermott, sax Jay Rasmussen and bass Bob Sachs.


The Bio of Joe Piscopo
Television, film, theater, and nightclubs—they're all fields in which Joe Piscopo has won the acclaim and affection of millions. For almost 20 years, Joe has proven to be one of show business' brightest lights. After stints as a disc jockey and dinner-theater performer, Joe turned to comedy. In 1980, he was chosen to join a newly formed ensemble charged with one of the most difficult tasks in TV history replacing the original cast of "Saturday Night Live."

By the time he left the show in 1985, Joe had left his mark on the program and the nation, thanks to his wide range of hilarious original characters and celebrity impersonations, from "The Sports Guy" and "Doug Whiner" to "David Letterman" and, of course, "Frank Sinatra," who had repeatedly endorsed Joe's portrayal of him. In addition, Piscopo starred in three HBO specials; his work in the first of these, "The Joe Piscopo Special," won him a Cable ACE Award for outstanding performance. He also starred in the critically acclaimed "New Jersey Special" on ABC-TV.

His work on SNL quite naturally led to Hollywood, and starring roles in such smash hits as "Wise Guys" (with Danny DeVito) and "Johnny Dangerously" (with Michael Keaton). Other film credits include "Dead Heat," "Sidekicks" and the independent feature films "Two Bits & Pepper," Roger Corman's "Demolition Day," "The Last Request" (with Danny Aiello) and a dramatic, critically acclaimed performance in Jonathan Parker's "Bartleby."


In January 1996, Joe conquered yet another realm when he starred on Broadway as disc jockey Vince Fontaine in "Grease!" (Ever the trouper, Joe insisted on performing opening night despite conditions created by one of the worst blizzards in history.) The show's producers were so impressed with his Broadway turn that they built a touring company around him for the summer of 1996, which played right here in Las Vegas. When "Grease!" reopened on Broadway in April 1997 after a three-month hiatus, it was Joe who was asked to headline the production in order to get it back on its feet.

Joe has also recently won acclaim for his dramatic guest-starring roles on the NBC drama, "Law and Order." You might have also seen Joe on the HBO series "Arli$$," or as a guest on The FOX News Channel and the nationally syndicated television show, "Extra." His voice was heard on the Nickelodeon comedy series, "The 100 Deeds of Eddie McDowd," and yes, that was Joe as Santa Claus in the ABC-TV Special, "Dear Santa."

Live performances have always been an important part of Joe's career. He has long been one of America's most popular comedy concert attractions, filling arenas and casino showrooms from coast-to-coast and in Canada. Joe tours with his own original Big Band tribute to Frank Sinatra, as well as his multi-media comedy show.

Piscopo has received numerous awards for his outstanding contributions for volunteerism, which includes the internationally prestigious, "Ellis Island Medal of Honor." Perhaps nearest and dearest to Joe's heart, however, is Jersey Joe's Gyms, a Newark program involving the city's police department and Boys and Girls Club. The concept is twofold: To give inner-city kids a safe and fun place to develop their minds and bodies, and to bring together police and children for mentoring and the promotion of drug-and-violence-free behavior.


Although Joe's impressive career and public service includes several major accomplishments, he insists his proudest achievement of all is twice being named "Father of the Year" in 1983 by the National Father's Day Council, and in 1989 by the New Jersey Council of Children's Rights. No matter how busy he may be, Joe always makes sure he has enough time to spend at his Central New Jersey home with his children Joey, Michael, Alexandra and Olivia. While performing in Las Vegas 3 days a week, Joe would fly back to his home in New Jersey and do the Dad thing. The family first…then the Laughs!