Joe Gatto is an American comedian, actor, and producer who has an estimated net worth of around $7 million.
He is best known as a comedy troupe member of The Tenderloins and for the TV show Impractical Jokers. He has built an impressive career in comedy and television over the past 15 years.
Gatto’s success on TV and as a comedian has earned him a sizable net worth. He has accumulated wealth through his comedy career, television work, brand partnerships, and business ventures.
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Joe Gatto Net Worth
According to the Celebrity Net Worth, Joe Gatto has an estimated net worth of around $7 million as of 2024. He built up most of his wealth during his 8 seasons starring on Impractical Jokers.
Gatto earned approximately $100k per episode towards the end of his time on the show. He also made additional income from merchandise sales, appearances, sponsorships, and business ventures.
With Impractical Jokers continuing and Gatto moving on to create new content, his net worth has the potential to grow larger in the coming years. He has shown a knack for creating comedy productions that attract sizable audiences.
However, Joe Gatto remains a hugely popular figure in comedy. His likable personality and slapstick humor will keep audiences laughing for a long time.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. was born on June 5, 1976, in Staten Island, New York, to Joseph A. Gatto Sr. and Dianne Fernandez-Gatto. He grew up alongside his sister Karissa in a middle-class family.
Gatto attended Monsignor Farrell High School, where he met his future comedy troupe members James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano. After high school, Gatto attended LIU Post, where he graduated with a degree in accounting in 1998.
However, Gatto worked as an accountant for several firms, including Ernst & Young. He balanced working as an accountant while performing comedy on the side in his early 20s.
Career Beginnings with The Tenderloins
While in high school in the 90s, Gatto and his friends Murray, Quinn, and Vulcano formed a comedy troupe called The Tenderloins. They began performing improv and sketches at local NYC comedy clubs and theaters while working other jobs.
In 1999, The Tenderloins entered the NBC comedy competition It’s Your Show! Winning the $100 grand prize. That helped give the group momentum to continue pursuing comedy as a career.
Over the 2000s, The Tenderloins performed together while working separately on individual projects. In 2006, they began uploading comedy sketches to YouTube, gaining a sizable following online.
Breakout Success on Impractical Jokers
Gatto’s big break came when The Tenderloins were signed to star in the hidden camera comedy show Impractical Jokers on truTV in 2011. Impractical Jokers featured the four members daring each other to do outrageous and hilarious things in public, with hidden cameras capturing the whole thing.
Impractical Jokers became a massive hit for truTV and turned Gatto, Murray, Quinn, and Vulcano into household names in comedy. The show has over 200 episodes across 8 seasons, plus specials and a feature film.
Gatto’s likable personality and ability to embrace the most cringeworthy scenarios greatly influenced the show’s success. His reactions to the dares and quips with the other Jokers became highlight moments fans loved.
Sources of Income
Joe Gatto has amassed his significant net worth through various sources throughout his comedy career. His biggest source of income is the salary he earns starring on Impractical Jokers. He reportedly made around $100,000 per episode by the end of his 8 season run on the hit show. With over 200 episodes, this equates to tens of millions in salary.
Another lucrative source of income for Gatto has been merchandise sales and sponsorships tied to Impractical Jokers. He earned additional income from selling branded t-shirts, mugs, hats, and other items. Gatto partnered with major brands like Ford, Microsoft, and Sprint for sponsored content and endorsements.
Gatto has earned extra income from his business ventures, leveraging his fame from Impractical Jokers. That includes revenue from his restaurant, The Sacco, his Gatto’s Laughing Red Blend wine label, and partnerships with Funny or Die and Sixthman.
Departure from Impractical Jokers
In December 2021, Gatto announced he was leaving Impractical Jokers after 8 successful seasons. TruTV said Gatto would no longer be involved due to difficulties related to a divorce.
Gatto later explained his departure, saying he wanted to focus more on fatherhood and other projects. He said there was no bad blood between him and the other Jokers.
The show continued with the remaining three Jokers for its 9th season. Joe Gatto has moved on to create solo projects but remains friends with his former castmates.
Other Television Projects
Besides Impractical Jokers, Gatto has appeared on several other television shows. He was featured on the TBS hidden camera show Misery Loves Company.
In 2018, Gatto appeared on the long-running daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. That same year, he was also a celebrity contestant on an episode of the game show Hollywood Game Night.
Gatto also worked on the TruTV comedy sketch show The Misery Index from 2019 to 2020. He was the host and executive producer for two seasons before the show was canceled.
Business Ventures
Gatto has started several business ventures and partnerships by capitalizing on his fame from Impractical Jokers.
In 2015, Gatto opened a restaurant called The Sacco in his hometown of Staten Island, NY. He started a successful line of Impractical Jokers merchandise, including shirts, mugs, hats, and other collectible items.
Gatto also partnered with the online video network Funny or Die to produce digital content and merchandise. He worked with the comedy brand Sixthman to organize Impractical Jokers-themed comedy cruises.
In 2018, Gatto launched his wine label, Gatto’s Laughing Red Blend. He has earned income from partnerships and sponsorships with brands like Ford, Microsoft, Doritos, etc.
Personal Life
Gatto married his wife Bessy in 2013. They have two children together: a daughter, Milana, and a son, Remington. In 2020, Bessy officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in 2022.
Despite the divorce, Gatto has said he plans to co-parent their two children and remain involved in their lives. He resides in Staten Island and films projects from a personal studio.
Gatto has been open about dealing with depression and anxiety issues, particularly following his divorce announcement. He practices Transcendental Meditation, which he says helps him manage personal difficulties.
Philanthropy
Joe Gatto has been involved in various philanthropic causes over the years. He worked with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. He partnered with the cancer center for charity events and campaigns.
Joe Getto also made the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. He volunteered to meet with kids and their families.
He served as a spokesperson and raised donations for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which supports families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
FAQs on Joe Gatto Net Worth
How did Joe Gatto get famous?
Joe Gatto gained fame as one of the four stars of the hit hidden camera comedy show Impractical Jokers alongside his longtime friends.
Why did Joe leave Impractical Jokers?
Joe Gatto would be leaving Impractical Jokers after 8 successful seasons. He cited difficulties surrounding his divorce as the reason for his amicable departure and the need to focus more on his personal life.
What is Joe Gatto’s net worth?
Joe Gatto has an estimated net worth of around $7 million. Most of his wealth comes from his many seasons starring on Impractical Jokers, where he made a six-figure salary per episode by the end.
Bottom Line
Joe Gatto’s career has been defined by the immense success of Impractical Jokers. But he has demonstrated skills to take his comedy and business ventures further. However, Gatto has built significant wealth with a net worth of $7 million and assets like restaurants.
As Gatto embarks on new solo projects post-Impractical Jokers and focuses on raising his young children, his fans await what hilarious antics he’ll deliver next. The Joe Gatto story still has many more exciting chapters ahead.