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JOSEPH (JOE) NIPOTE born (May 19, 1956) is an American standup comedian, actor, voice over artist, radio personality, ring announcer, concert producer, and children's book author. Nipote is best known for having C0-STARRED in the Paramount television series VIPER as FRANKIE WATERS the expert mechanic from 1992 to 1993 on NBC and from 1994-­1998 on UPN. In 1995, he was also personally handpicked by Steven Spielberg to Co-Star as "Uncle Stretch" the leader of the Ghostly Trio in the 1995 Universal/Amblin film, "CASPER."

EARLY LIFE: Born in Royal Oak Michigan, the oldest of two children to Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Josephine Nipote. Without speaking a word of English, Salvatore and Josephine moved to America in 1955 to give their children a better life. Joseph Nipote grew up in Berkley Michigan and attended Pattengill Elementary School until the fifth grade. In the sixth grade, his family moved to Southfield Michigan where he transferred to Simms Elementary. After one year he transferred to Thompson Junior High for three years. After junior high, he entered Southfield-­‐Lathrup High School where he graduated in 1974. Too small for sports, Nipote gradually found his way to the theatrical department at Southfield-­Lathrup High School, where he starred in many high school productions including, VAN HELSING in Ted Tiller's DRACULA, MR. BUMBLE in OLIVER, and as MARCELLUS, Harold Hill's sidekick in, THE MUSIC MAN. While in high school, Nipote began working for the City of Southfield Parks & Recreation department where he quickly caught the eye of an employee and mentor, Jude McCaughlin. A former nun, she began mentoring Joe to host the city's summer Festivals and star as the host in the City's Winter FANTASYLAND as the character, "JACK IN THE BOX." Word of his talents spread and Nipote was quickly recruited by the Southfield Public Library Director, where he traveled from school to school as "CONDUCTOR JOE" performing puppet shows and storytelling for children on a converted old school bus, complete with puppet stage, carpeting and air conditioning. In 1974 Nipote graduated from Southfield-­‐Lathrup High School and attended Oakland University in Rochester Michigan for one year before receiving a partial acting scholarship to Central Michigan University. It was at Central Michigan University where Nipote really began to find his niche as a standup comedian. Asked to represent his dorm, Saxe Hall in an annual talent event, Nipote wrote and performed a solo standup routine and impression of Howard Cosell that proved so funny, he single handedly won the talent show for his dorm. In theater at Central Michigan, Nipote found himself playing various character roles in productions of, Death Of A Salesman, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Tartuffe, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead and as Lt. Practice in Little Murders. While taking a radio broadcasting class at CMU, Nipote was recruited by one of the campus radio jocks to bring his comedic voice talents and humor to his show. Nipote worked as a side kick for a short time until he was given his own radio show where appeared as the on air personality, "Joe King." In 1979, with just three classes to graduate college, Nipote’s "best friend" also a would be actor, talked him into putting his diploma on hold by his, and move to Los Angeles California to make it big. After just 6 short months, his supposedly "best friend" abandoned him without even telling him and returned to Michigan. Nipote, who had terribly disappointed his family's dream of becoming a college graduate, decided to stay in Los Angeles and make a run for it. Supporting himself as a racquetball instructor and clothing salesman, Nipote frequented the Comedy Store waiting in line to get a coveted spot on open mic night. As he continued to work the COMEDY STORE as an unpaid amateur, two writers for the television game show, MAKE ME LAUGH, befriended Nipote. They would invite Nipote to come to KTLA studios where Nipote would try out his standup material on hopeful contestants.

STANDUP COMEDY-­‐EARLY YEARS-­‐ 1979-­‐86 In 1979 Nipote walked into the famous COMEDY STORE on Sunset Blvd. Nipote confident he could perform standup quickly put an act together and would stand in line on Monday nights for a coveted spot on stage. Then after one performance at the WESTWOOD COMEDY STORE, Nipote’s performance went over so well, he quit his day job as a racquetball instructor and dedicated himself to standup comedy. While there, he befriended fellow standup comedian Mike Binder, also from Michigan, who was already a regular at the Comedy Store. Binder introduced him to the owner and within a year, Joe began getting better spots and became a door man at the Comedy Store. While working there, Nipote’s act flourished and he was asked to be the host/emcee in the original room all the while honing his act. During this period, two writers from the popular game show, “MAKE ME LAUGH”, befriended Nipote who invited Nipote to the KTLA studios and try to make would be contestants laugh. Here Nipote learned how to write and how to get to the punch line quickly and effectively. In late 1979 Joe's first paid professional standup gig was to travel back home and co-­‐open the Detroit Comedy Castle with his friend Mike Binder who headlined. Nipote’s entire salary consisted only of airfare for the 3-­‐night gig. Nipote’s strength in the opening spot proved so strong, owner Mark Ridley instantly made him a headliner after that. Nipote and the owner soon became close friends in and out of the club, socializing privately and with family. Then in 1986 when Nipote was scheduled to play Chaplins, a rival Detroit comedy club some 40 miles away from the Comedy Castle, the owner threatened Nipote to cancel the appearance at Chaplins or never play the Comedy Castle again. Nipote complied but has never returned to the Castle as a headliner since and to add insult to injury, the owner has completely erased him from the history books as ever having been associated with its opening. In 1981 the country saw an explosion of comedy clubs and Nipote found himself opening and headlining many of the clubs still around today. There wasn't a comedy club from New York to Florida and Detroit to Los Angeles Nipote didn't headline. Nipote transitioned his standup to television warmups for the short lived tv series, “OPEN ALL NIGHT” and the “NEW WKRP IN CINCINNATI” where Nipote’s ad-­libbing with the audience went over so well, the producers decided to utilize his acting skills in a couple of episodes as a funny waiter.

LAS VEGAS, RENO, ATLANTIC CITY SHOWROOMS: In 1983 while appearing at the Comic Strip Live in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Nipote received a call from his agent that he was tapped to open for country superstar FREDDY FENDER for a two-­‐ week engagement at the Silverbird Hotel. Nipote left his Comic Strip gig early, without pay, and found himself in a massive Las Vegas Showroom. The very first night after Nipote performed relatively well for a newcomer to Vegas, Freddy Fender followed him on stage only to fall over backwards into the drums from being intoxicated and under the influence. The curtains quickly closed and the show was cancelled with the audience receiving refunds. Nipote believed at that moment he had made a terrible mistake by leaving his Comic Strip gig. However the rest of engagement went on without incident and Nipote's confidence and performance proved so consistently funny, the Silverbird extended his contract for another 2 weeks keeping him on to open for, what became known as TINA TURNER'S comeback to show business. Nipote continued opening for many different Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City Headliners, including GLORIA LORING, BARBARA MANDRELL, LOUISE MANDRELL, THE O'JAYS, TOWER OF POWER, CAPTAIN & TENILLE, BEN VEREEN, FRANKIE VALLI, JUDY COLLINS, DAVE MASON, ROBERT GOULET, SPYRAGYRA and DWIGHT YOAKUM. RADIO: In 1986 Nipote returned back to his home state to take the reigns of the morning show on Detroit's number one rock and roll radio station 101 FM WRIF after the show's predecessor's left being number one in the market for over 20 years. Nipote, who was teamed up with another “voice” per the stations request, guaranteed management that they would become number one after one ratings period. His guarantee prove true as after just one rating's period Nipote and his partner moved up to Number one in their market defeating their old predecessors. As much as Nipote loved radio, he hated the grind of early morning radio and felt overwhelmed with being soley responsible for writing and performing all the new material without any help whatsoever from his partner. Other ethical and creative issues ensued and soon tension between he and his partner became apparent, forcing the station to side with it's tenured employee and letting Nipote go. Nipote however saw this early dismissal as an opportunity to return to Oakland University where he began his education. He enrolled in 1986 and successfully earned his degree, Bachelor of Arts in Communication. While enrolled at Oakland he was cast as Salieri in AMADEUS where his performance received many local accolades from University staff, local theater critics and the public. He was chosen to represent Oakland University in the regional Irene Ryan Award. He came in second. Less than 6 months after his departure on WRIF, ratings plummeted so badly, the station was forced to remove his former partner from the coveted morning spot and move him to a benign midday spot. Nipote returned to Los Angeles and quickly picked up where he left off returning to standup at the Comedy Store and it's new Las Vegas showroom in the Dunes Hotel where he appeared an average of 26 weeks a year. More radio followed with Nipote appearing on KLOS's "Five O'clock Funnies" and he caught the ear of Radio superstar RICK DEES who hired Nipote to perform in his live radio concerts and bring his funny characters, impressions and candid phone calls to his radio show on KIIS FM. Most of the candid phone calls Nipote originated and performed can be heard on his website, www.joenipote.com.

TELEVSION: In 1983 Nipote made his television debut earning a coveted spot on HBO's "FIFTH ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS" SPECIAL with host Carl Reiner. In fact, it was legendary comedian George Carlin's wife Linda Carlin, a casting director for HBO at the time that caught his act and brought him to the director's attention. This appearance led to dozens of multiple television standup appearances on, "The Alan Thicke Show," "Into The Night with Rick Dees," "MTV Half-­‐Hour Comedy Hour," "Showtimes Comedy Club Network," "Showtimes Laff-­‐A-­‐Thon," USA’s “Up All Night, "Comedy Central's On The Go," "A & E's Evening At The Improv," and Fox's "Comic Strip Live," ABC's "Monday Night Live," and "KTLA's Morning Show." 1980 was also the year Nipote made his formal acting debut on Paramount Studios mega hit, "HAPPY DAYS" in which Nipote played "Lunatic Leo Epps" a crazed boxer who pummels Chachi after the bell, only to draw the "Fonz" to the rescue and quickly knocks him out. Nipote's character "Leo Epps" has the unique distinction of being the only character in the history of the television show to have been physically struck by the "Fonz." Nipote was very distraught on his first job as the star of the show, Henry Winkler kept directing him contrary to the show's director Jerry Paris directions, who played the obnoxious dentist on the "Dick Van Dyke Show." Eventually, Nipote learned to appease both of them and put in such a memorable and funny performance, that it caught the eye of many Paramount casting directors who subsequently called Nipote in repeatedly to read for dozens of other sitcoms. Nipote was signed to star in the tentatively titled pilot, "Over The Border," but the show was shelved, only to be re-developed and return as "Perfect Strangers." Nipote persevered landing guest starring roles in such sitcoms and comedies as, "Northern Exposure," "The Jeffersons," "21 Jump Street," "The New WKRP in Cincinnatti," "Baby Talk" "Sibs", "Unhappily Ever After" “Normal Life” with Laverne and Shirley star Cindy Williams and on "Murphy Brown" as secretary #48 where his performance proved so funny as a brash Brooklyn comic, he was asked numerous times by the director, Peter Bonerz to tone down his performance because it was upstaging the star of the show who was not very fond of others taking her spotlight. In 1992, twelve years after his first acting job for Paramount, Nipote returned to Paramount for his big break as he was cast to star in a new action adventure series from Paramount titled, "VIPER" in which he played FRANKIE WATERS, the expert and fastidious mechanic who lovingly takes care of the Viper in VIPER. From 1992 to 1993 the show was filmed on the Paramount backlot. The show was cancelled in 1993 to make way for Steven Spielberg's first television series, "SeaQuest". Paramount still believing in VIPER picked up the show in 1994 and placed it on it's own UPN network for 4 more additional seasons. Nipote is the only original cast member from the show's inception that was later filmed from 1994 to 1995 in Calgary and later moved to Vancouver from 1995-­‐1998 for better weather conditions, until it's cancellation in 1998. "VIPER" is currently in syndication all around the world. During the last year of Viper in 1998, Nipote co-­‐starred in the CBS pilot, titled “IT’S TRUE” taking on two roles as, “Nick” the cappuccino guy and “UTHER,” the voice of the Troll. The pilot did air but the show never sold. After "VIPER" Nipote then took some time off from acting and standup to become a stay at home dad raising his two children Gabriel & Sofia. In 2009 he returned to standup and acting landing guest starring roles on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM as "PRIMO" and on Disney's SUITE LIFE ON DECK as "UNCLE MARCO."

FILM ROLES: In 1981 Nipote’s first film role was to play Christopher Columbus’ sidekick played by Sid Ceaser, in Mel Brook’s, HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1, but Nipote’s scene was cut due the heavy rains that year. In 1982 Nipote’s second film role was an Italian speaking waiter in the Luciano Pavarotti film, "YES GIORGIO," only to have his scene cut once again before even filming a single shot. The film was a dismal flop. Nipote followed with a small part in the 1993 film STRANGER'S KISS where he played a boxer trained by welterweight champion Carlos Palamino for the role. In 1984 Nipote landed a co-­‐ starring role as the punch-­‐drunk boxer, "BOOMER" in the cult classic film, "MEATBALLS II." In 1985, Nipote quickly followed with a small part in the comedy flick, "DOIN' TIME" as "Angelo Crispini" in which one of Nipote's hero's Muhammad Ali played himself. Nipote entertained the heavyweight champ between shots with impressions and Ali answered back with his magic card tricks. In 1986 Nipote was cast in the apocalyptic thriller, "Radioactive Dreams" as nuclear war survivor and reporter Tad Rutlidge, and in the crime adventure thriller, “Dangerously Close” as "Steve." The 1988 film, "ALIEN NATION" starring James Caan & Mandy Patankin was next for Nipote in the role of the ambulance driver, however his on screen character was re-­‐filmed due to technical reasons with another actor, but it's still Nipote's voice in the film. In 1992 Nipote was cast in a small part as the DJ in the highly acclaimed film, "THE WATERDANCE" that starred, Eric Stolz, Helen Hunt, Wesley Snipes, and William Forsythe. Nipote and Forsythe both studied acting with Milton Katselis in Los Angeles just prior to this film. During the third year of VIPER, Nipote was personally handpicked after a by Steven Spielberg for the role of, "UNCLE STRETCH," the leader of the Ghostly Trio, in the 1995 film, "CASPER." In fact it was Nipote's final audition where he and two other actor's were told to ad-­‐lib to see what kind of chemistry they could produce, when Nipote became so frustrated with another actor's unrelenting and unfunny dialogue, that he burst out telling the actor to, "Shut the F' up" in the voice of his character "Uncle Stretch." Nipote left the audition thinking he had blown it when in fact, that line and his character portrayal is exactly what Spielberg was looking for and Nipote was cast. Spielberg later told Nipote upon meeting him during the films first few weeks of filming after the Northridge earthquake that his last audition sealed the role for him and Nipote replied, "Well you know you owed it to me anyway for having NBC cancel "VIPER" for "SeaQuest." In 1996 Nipote was asked personally by actor/producer Victoria Tenant to play a small character role as “Socrates” the Greek cabbie in her film Edie & Pen. Nipote agreed sharing the screen with Jennifer Tilly and Stockard Channing. In 2002 Nipote was cast in his first Rodney Dangerfield movie, "The Fourth Tenor" as the Italian speaking and loveable Carabinieri/Policeman who helps Dangerfield’s character find his true love. Dangerfield took such a liking to Nipote’s antic’s off camera that he cast him in his last film, the 2004 prison comedy, "Back By Midnight" in which Nipote donned huge ears to play the safe crackin' expert, "EARS." Three more films followed with Nipote taking a supporting role of priest, "FATHER DOMINIC" in the 2006 film, “SOUL’S MIDNIGHT.” In this cheesy horror flic, Nipote is bitten and turned into a vampire by actor Armand Assante. Later in 2006 Nipote was asked to play a cameo role in the campy comedy, "CLOUD NINE" starring Burt Reynolds and DL Hugley. Nipote followed with a featured role in the 2007 horror flic, "URBAN DECAY" as Detective Salvo, starring Dean Cain and Meatloaf.

ANIMATION: 1995-­‐PRESENT As Nipote continued to succeed in acting, he began lending his multi-­‐voice talents in animation. His first big break came in the 1995 film CASPER where he played the leader of the Ghostly Trio, UNCLE STRETCH. From 1995-­‐1997 Nipote brought his mean spirited ghostly character to the CASPER television cartoon series in 52 episodes for Fox Kids. Also that year from 1995-­‐1997 Nipote co-­‐ starred in the ABC cartoon series about a loveable dog named “WHAT-­‐A-­‐MESS” in which Nipote played the tough junk-­‐yard dog and friend to What-­‐A-­‐Mess, “TRASH” for one season. In 1996 Nipote voiced criminal “Spider Spinelli” for Warner Brother’s “SUPERMAN” as well as multiple characters for Disney’s, “Quack Pack” television series. In 1997 Nipote played the scheming “Wharf Rat” in Lucas Arts award winning Cd/Rom game, “MONKEY ISLAND.” Lucas Arts continued to use Nipote often in their 1998 cult classic Cd/Rom game titled, “GRIM FANDANGO” in which Nipote played the evil “CLOWN” and “CHOWCHILLA CHARLIE.” In 2001, Nipote was called on again by Lucas Arts to voice two new video games, “COMMAND & CONQUER: YURI’S REVENGE” & “STAR WARS: ROGUE SQUADRON II ROGUE LEADER” in which he played the “Outpost Beta Commander” and “Transport Captain II.” 2002 rolled around with Nipote voicing two new video games, “FORGOTTEN REALMS: ICEWIND DALE II” for Interplay Entertainment Group and as “Eitri” in “AGE OF MYTHOLOGY: THE TITANS” for Microsoft/Ensemble Studios. Nipote also lent his voice to commercials including HOME DEPOT, BRIGGS & STRATTON, JIFFLUBE, MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL, and ROUND TABLE PIZZA. In 2010 Nipote was cast to play 5 different characters in the mega blockbuster, “MAFIA II” for 2K productions.

AUTHOR: 2010-­‐PRESENT Nipote has written three children’s books that he has performed for children in schools, churches and bookstores all across the country. Not yet published, Nipote performs the books on power point doing a 45-­‐minute reading and comedy program for the kids. His three children’s books are, “EGGY YOLKTM AND THE DIRTY ROTTEN DOZEN©,” “SOMETHING STINKS©” and “SPINELLI THE SPIDER THAT HATES THE TASTE OF BUGS©” Pictures and letters from Nipote’s past performances from principals, teachers, and bookstore owners can be found on his website at:http://joenipote.com/core/index.php?op tion=com_content&task=view&id=55&Ite mid=54.

RING ANNOUNCING: 2010-­‐PRESENT In 2010 Nipote met with Dan & Craig Goossen of Goossen/Tutor Promotions and was asked to announce some fights for the famous promoter. Nipote happily agreed and dedicated himself to create and trademark his own tag line that would set him apart from the other announcers. Nipote came up with a tag line that not only involves the audience to respond, but forces them to get fired up and enthusiastic about the fight. Here you can view Nipote’s tag line success as he performs it in front of 8,000 people at the Citizen’s Business Bank arena for the Shawn Estrada Fight. http://joenipote.com/ring_announcer.mo v. Nipote continues to announce for boxing as well as MMA. Much more info can be found on his website: http://joenipote.com/core/index.php?op tion=com_content&task=view&id=43&Ite mid=47

CHARITY WORK: 1981 to Present Since Nipote became a working standup comedian, he has lent his standup and hosting talents to many different charities including, ST. JUDES,, CITY OF HOPE, BEIT T’SHUVAH, SHARE FOUNDATION, THE DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS, BEAU BRIDGES/CIGNA TENNIS CLASSIC, THE PHILLIPS CLASSIC, EMERSON ELEMENTARY PTA, SANTA CLARITA HOMELESS SHELTER, PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, OASIS HOUSE, and many others organizations helping them to raise funds. Thank you letters from these organizations can be found at: http://joenipote.com/core/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Ite mid=52 In 2010 Nipote was asked by the director of the local YMCA of Birmingham Michigan to produce a comedy event to help raise funds for underprivileged kids to send them to summer camp. Nipote agreed and created his own fully produced comedy event titled, “Joe Nipote’s comedySLAMTM, A Night of Slammin’ Standup Comedy.” Other organizations called on Nipote who continues to help charities and non profits raise money particularly back in his home state of Michigan, such as, FORGOTTEN HARVEST, YMCA STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN, THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOICATION, THE TIPPING POINT THEATER and THE WEST BLOOMFIELD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION. Video, pictures and thank you letters from past events can be found at: http://joenipote.com/core/index.php?op ￼￼tion=com_content&task=view&id=49&Ite mid=49

MUSIC: In 2012 Nipote dusted off a 20 year old half written song by friend Steve Turner. With Turner’s blessing and partnership Nipote re-­‐wrote and recorded the comedy country single titled, BOWLING BALL BLUES© at Jungle Studios in Glendale California. The song was arranged by musician and composer, Tom Mgrdichian. The song tells the story of a guy who’s girlfriend cancels their date and decides to go bowling, only to find her there at the alley “swappin’ spit” with his best friend. However the girl does not know his best friend is gay and married. The song was released May of 2012 on ITUNES, AMAZON, CDBABY.COM among many other outlets. A link to the song can be found here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bowli ng-­‐ball-­‐blues-­‐single/id523765735

RECENT ACTIVITIES: Nipote continues to act, ring announce, do voice over and standup, including to produce his comedySLAMSTM across the country. He hopes to be back on Television soon in another series.

EXTERNAL LINKS: Official Joe Nipote website:http://www.joenipote.com/ Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/JOENIPOTE IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm063253 0/ ￼￼￼￼￼￼STANDUP VIDEO FROM COMIC STRIP LIVE: http://joenipote.com/csl_small.mpg ￼ ￼ ￼ ￼ ￼ ￼