John Pinette
Encyclopedia
John Pinette is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He has toured the comedy club circuit since the 1980s and has appeared in cinema and television. Besides stand-up, Pinette does impressions of The Chipmunks
, Elvis Presley
, Gollum
from The Lord of the Rings
, Hervé Villechaize
(Tattoo from Fantasy Island
), an Ewok
, actor Marlon Brando
(notably Brando's role in The Godfather
), as well as various ethnic accents. He occasionally sings, for example "Over the Rainbow
" from The Wizard of Oz
, in stand-up routines.
, Massachusetts
and graduated from Malden Catholic High School
in 1982. He started a career in accounting, but on the advice of friends left to pursue a career in comedy.
He got a break when asked to tour with Frank Sinatra
. Pinette is a regular guest on The Tonight Show
and The View.
Pinette was in Duets
, Dear God, and Junior
. He was a regular on the series Parker Lewis Can't Lose
, and starred as the carjack
victim in the final episode of Seinfeld
. In 2004, Pinette was Bumpo in Artisan Entertainment
’s The Punisher
, starring Thomas Jane
and John Travolta
.
Pinette was named Stand-Up Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards
in 1999 and received a Gemini Award nomination for his televised performance at the Montreal Comedy Festival
in 2000.
In 2004, Pinette joined the touring cast of the musical
Hairspray
in the role of Edna Turnblad. He later went on to the Broadway
production in 2005, and continued in the role until May 28, 2006. In his 2006 concert I'm Starvin, he said it was the first musical theater production he had been in since high school.
In 2004, Pinette's stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties
. In 2007, Pinette performed at the 42nd annual MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon. He performed at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival
in 2008, and toured in cities in 2010 beginning in April. During this tour, Pinette recorded a Comedy Central
special entitled "John Pinette: Still Hungry". The taping took place at the Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois. The world premiere of "John Pinette: Still Hungry" was on Friday, July 29 at 11:00pm ET/PT on Comedy Central.
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Gollum
Gollum
Gollum is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He was introduced in the author's fantasy novel The Hobbit, and became an important supporting character in its sequel, The Lord of the Rings....
from The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
, Hervé Villechaize
Hervé Villechaize
Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize was a French actor who achieved worldwide recognition for his role as Mr. Roarke's assistant, Tattoo, in the television series Fantasy Island...
(Tattoo from Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is the title of two separate but related American fantasy television series, both originally airing on the ABC television network.-Original series:...
), an Ewok
Ewok
Ewoks originate from the Star Wars films. In the series, they are a species of teddy-bear-like hunter-gatherers that inhabit the forest moon of Endor. The Ewoks live in various tree-huts and primitive dwellings. They first appeared in the film Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
, actor Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
(notably Brando's role in The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
), as well as various ethnic accents. He occasionally sings, for example "Over the Rainbow
Over the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
" from The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
, in stand-up routines.
Biographical Information
John was born in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and graduated from Malden Catholic High School
Malden Catholic High School
Malden Catholic High School, founded in 1932, is a private, Catholic secondary school for young men located in Malden, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. The school was founded by the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier , an international...
in 1982. He started a career in accounting, but on the advice of friends left to pursue a career in comedy.
He got a break when asked to tour with Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
. Pinette is a regular guest on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
and The View.
Pinette was in Duets
Duets
An original motion picture soundtrack CD was released on September 12, 2000 by Hollywood Records. The CD contained twelve tracks including the original music composed for the film by David Newman....
, Dear God, and Junior
Junior (film)
Junior is a 1994 American comedy film written by Kevin Wade and Chris Conrad and directed by Ivan Reitman. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a scientist who undergoes a male pregnancy as part of a scientific experiment.-Plot:...
. He was a regular on the series Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Parker Lewis Can't Lose is an American teen sitcom that originally aired on FOX from September 1990 to June 1993. During the last season, the series sported the simpler title Parker Lewis. The series was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and was strongly influenced by the feature film Ferris...
, and starred as the carjack
Carjacking
Carjacking is a form of hijacking, where the crime is of stealing a motor vehicle and so also armed assault when the vehicle is occupied. Historically, such as in the rash of semi-trailer truck hijackings during the 1960s, the general term hijacking was used for that type of vehicle abduction,...
victim in the final episode of Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
. In 2004, Pinette was Bumpo in Artisan Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment Inc. was a privately held independent American movie studio until it was purchased by a Canadian studio, Lionsgate, in 2003. At the time of its acquisition, Artisan had a library of thousands of films developed through acquisition, original production, and production and...
’s The Punisher
The Punisher (2004 film)
The Punisher is a 2004 American comic book action film, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, starring Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle / The Punisher and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint, a money launderer who orders the death of Castle's entire family...
, starring Thomas Jane
Thomas Jane
Thomas Jane is an American actor known for his roles in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, the 2001 TV film 61*, the 2004 film The Punisher and the 2007 Stephen King adaptation The Mist...
and John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
.
Pinette was named Stand-Up Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards
American Comedy Awards
The American Comedy Awards were a group of awards presented annually in the United States from 1987 to 2001 recognizing performances and performers in the field of comedy, with an emphasis on television comedy and comedy films...
in 1999 and received a Gemini Award nomination for his televised performance at the Montreal Comedy Festival
Just for Laughs
Just for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 1983. It is the largest international comedy festival in the world.- Information :...
in 2000.
In 2004, Pinette joined the touring cast of the musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
in the role of Edna Turnblad. He later went on to the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production in 2005, and continued in the role until May 28, 2006. In his 2006 concert I'm Starvin, he said it was the first musical theater production he had been in since high school.
In 2004, Pinette's stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties
Shorties Watchin' Shorties
Shorties Watchin' Shorties was a television show broadcast on Comedy Central that is now on DVD. The show is made up of various short animated clips with audio from comedians' stand up routines. It also features two "shorties," a pair of babies voiced by Nick DiPaolo and Patrice O'Neal who watch...
. In 2007, Pinette performed at the 42nd annual MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon. He performed at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival
Edinburgh Comedy Festival
Edinburgh Comedy Festival is a collection of comedy shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which runs each August.-Media coverage:In June 2008, there were many news stories and commentaries in the media about the launch of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, both positive and negative.Much was reported...
in 2008, and toured in cities in 2010 beginning in April. During this tour, Pinette recorded a Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
special entitled "John Pinette: Still Hungry". The taping took place at the Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois. The world premiere of "John Pinette: Still Hungry" was on Friday, July 29 at 11:00pm ET/PT on Comedy Central.
Discography
- Show Me the BuffetShow Me the BuffetShow Me The Buffet is stand-up comedian John Pinette's first comedy album. It is a recording of a performance in Vernon Hills, Illinois.-Track listing:#"Weight Watcher Friends" – 1:46#"Halloween" – 1:36#"The Great Meat Recall" – 2:23...
(CD, 1998) - I Say Nay Nay (DVD, 2005)
- I'm Starvin'! (DVD, 2006)
- Making Lite of MyselfMaking Lite of MyselfMaking Lite of Myself is stand-up comedian John Pinette's second comedy album.-Track listing:#"Weight Watcher Friends" – 1:46#"Halloween" – 1:36#"The Great Meat Recall" – 2:23#"Disneyworld In August / The Character Buffet" – 3:53...
(CD, 2007) - Still HungryStill HungryStill Hungry may refer to:* Still Hungry , a re-recording of the Twisted Sister album Stay Hungry* Still Hungry * Still Hungry, a comedy performance released on CD and DVD by John Pinette...
(2011)
Filmography
- ALFALF (TV series)ALF is an American science fiction sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990, created by Paul Fusco. The title character was Gordon Shumway, a friendly extraterrestrial nicknamed ALF , who crash lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family.The series starred Max...
(1990) - as Howie Anderson - Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next GenerationRevenge of the Nerds III: The Next GenerationRevenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation is a 1992 sequel to the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds.-Plot:In the beginning of the movie a new generation of nerds rule the Adams College campus, upholding the traditions of nerds from the first film. The Alpha Betas are now respectful of the nerds'...
(1992) - as Trevor Gulf - Reckless KellyReckless KellyReckless Kelly is a 1993 Australian comedy film written, directed and starring Yahoo Serious. The story is a satirical take on a modern day Ned Kelly who is forced to Hollywood in order to make enough money to save his family's land. As it goes against his belief, he cannot simply rob banks for...
(1993) - as Sam Delance - JuniorJunior (film)Junior is a 1994 American comedy film written by Kevin Wade and Chris Conrad and directed by Ivan Reitman. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a scientist who undergoes a male pregnancy as part of a scientific experiment.-Plot:...
(1994) - as Clerk - Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in LoveRevenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in LoveRevenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love is a 1994 sequel to the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and the follow-up films in 1987 and 1992.-Plot:...
(1994) - as Trevor Gulf - Hart to Hart: Secrets of the HartHart to HartHart to Hart is an American television series, starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a wealthy couple who also moonlighted as amateur detectives. The series was created by writer Sidney Sheldon and produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg...
(1995) - Dear God (1996) - as Junior
- SeinfeldSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
(1998) - as Howie - Simon SezSimon SezSimon Sez is a 1999 action comedy film starring Dennis Rodman, Dane Cook, and John Pinette. The score for this film was composed by Brian Tyler.-Plot:Interpol agent Simon goes on a mission in France to save a kidnapped girl and defeat an arms dealer....
(1999) - as Micro - DuetsDuetsAn original motion picture soundtrack CD was released on September 12, 2000 by Hollywood Records. The CD contained twelve tracks including the original music composed for the film by David Newman....
(2000) - as Finale Singer - My 5 WivesMy 5 WivesMy 5 Wives is a 2000 film starring Rodney Dangerfield, directed by Sidney J. Furie.-Plot:A wealthy businessman, Monty Peterson, travels to Utah hoping to open a ski resort after his third marriage ends in divorce...
(2000) - as Stewart - Do It for Uncle Manny (2002) - as Sammy Levine
- Piece a' Cake (2003) - as Sammy
- The PunisherThe Punisher (2004 film)The Punisher is a 2004 American comic book action film, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, starring Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle / The Punisher and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint, a money launderer who orders the death of Castle's entire family...
(2004) - as Bumpo - The Last Godfather (2010 film) - as Macho
Radio
Pinette was a host of the E4 laughs at Edinburgh podcasts, showcasing comedy talent from the Edinburgh Festival in 2008.External links
- Official Website
- John Pinette on the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- John Pinette at Edinburgh Comedy Festival
- E4 Laughs at Edinburgh
- Pinette Replaces Vilanch in Touring Toupe
- Pinette Replaces Vilanch on Broadway