Joe Gatto is a name synonymous with laughter, hidden cameras, and high-stakes dares. Best known as a founding member of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins and a former star of the hit series Impractical Jokers, Gatto has transformed a passion for improvisational comedy into a massive financial success story.
Whether he was being punished in front of thousands of New Yorkers or producing behind the scenes, his career trajectory has been nothing short of impressive.
But exactly how much has his comedic timing and business savvy earned him? In this comprehensive breakdown, we dive deep into the Joe Gatto net worth, his salary from TruTV, and the various ventures that have contributed to his $7 million valuation.
What is Joe Gatto’s Net Worth?
As of the most recent estimates, Joe Gatto's net worth is approximately $7 million. While the collective valuation of the Impractical Jokers cast is often cited as being around $20 million or slightly higher, it is widely understood that each of the four main stars holds a significant individual stake.
Since the show's debut in 2011, Gatto has remained a focal point of the franchise, contributing to its status as the most popular series on TruTV. Much of his wealth is tied directly to the astronomical success of this reality show, but his portfolio extends far beyond the television screen.
Joe Gatto Financial Snapshot
|
Category |
Details |
|
Current Net Worth |
$7 Million |
|
Salary per Episode |
Approximately $50,000 |
|
Main Source of Income |
Impractical Jokers & The Tenderloins |
|
Real Estate Investment |
$2.7 Million Mansion (Old Brookville) |
|
Secondary Income |
Cannoli Productions, Podcasts, Book Sales |
Early Life: From Accounting to Improv
Born Joseph Anthony Gatto Jr. on June 5, 1976, in the Staten Island borough of New York City, Gatto’s roots are deeply tied to his Italian-American heritage. He is the son of Joseph Gatto Sr. and Gerri Amato-Gatto. Both of his parents migrated to the United States before his birth. Sadly, his father passed away in 1995 due to an illness.
Gatto attended Monsignor Farrell High School, a boys' Catholic school where he first crossed paths with Sal Vulcano, James Murray, and Brian Quinn. It was here that the foundation of their lifelong friendship and comedic partnership was laid through the school’s improvisation club.
Interestingly, Gatto’s path to fame wasn’t a straight line toward Hollywood.
For his higher education, he attended LIU Post (formerly C.W. Post) in Brookville, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. This educational background in finance likely played a role in managing the business side of his eventual multi-million dollar career.
The Rise of The Tenderloins and Impractical Jokers
After years of being apart at different colleges, Gatto, Murray, and Vulcano reunited and began practicing improv comedy at Gatto’s house. This led to the formation of the comedy troupe .
The Tenderloins in the late 1990s. The group eventually included Brian Quinn after original members Mike Boccio and Gideon Horowitz departed.
The troupe's big break came through digital platforms and reality TV:
- Success on the Web: The Tenderloins produced sketches for YouTube, Myspace, and Metacafe, earning millions of views.
- It’s Your Show: In 2007, the group won the $100,000 grand prize on this NBC reality competition program.
- Impractical Jokers: Launched in late 2011 on TruTV, this hidden-camera reality show became a global phenomenon. It features the "jokers" challenging each other to embarrassing dares in public, with the "loser" receiving a humiliating punishment at the end of each episode.
The Salary of an Impractical Joker
At the height of the show's success, the cast was reportedly earning around $50,000 per episode. Given the hundreds of episodes produced over nine seasons, this became the primary engine behind the Joe Gatto net worth.
The show also spawned Impractical Jokers: The Movie in 2020 and the TBS game show The Misery Index, hosted by Jameela Jamil.
Diversified Income Sources
While television was his primary platform, Joe Gatto has carefully diversified his income through various creative and business ventures.
1. Cannoli Productions
In 2018, Gatto founded Cannoli Productions. This is a full-service group that works with individuals and companies globally to set and achieve project goals, allowing Gatto to leverage his experience as a producer and entrepreneur.
2. Podcasts: "Two Cool Moms"
Gatto co-hosted The Tenderloins Podcast for years, but more recently, he launched the "Two Cool Moms" podcast with fellow comedian and friend Steve Byrne. The name refers to their own mothers, whom they describe as strong and opinionated.
The duo dispenses "motherly advice" to strangers facing various life problems using a three-prong approach: discussing, deliberating, and delivering
3. Authoring "The Dogfather"
In 2020, Gatto published his book, The Dogfather: My Love for Dogs, Dessert and Growing Up Italian. The book highlights his upbringing and his deep love for animals—specifically his 14 dogs.
A staunch advocate of the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement, Gatto named many of his pooches after Italian food staples like cannoli, fettuccine, tiramisu, and gelato.
Personal Life and Real Estate Portfolio
In 2013, Joe married Bessy Haggar (Bessy Gatto). During their marriage, the couple invested significantly in real estate. In 2018, they dropped $2.7 million on a mansion in the city of Old Brookville. The home is a sprawling 6,000 sq. ft. property featuring 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms.
The couple has two children, a daughter named Milana and a son named Remington.However, in December 2021, Gatto announced that he and Bessy were separating. This personal transition coincided with his decision to step down from Impractical Jokers and The Tenderloins to focus on his personal life and family.
Quick Facts About Joe Gatto
- Teetotaler: Joe is famously a teetotaler, meaning he does not drink alcohol—a fact often teased on Impractical Jokers
- Kentucky Colonel: He holds the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel
- Social Media Power: He has a massive digital presence, with 1.9 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million on Twitter, which he uses to promote his comedy tours and special events.
Conclusion
Joe Gatto’s journey from a Staten Island improv club to a $7 million net worth is a testament to the power of laughter and persistence. By combining his accounting background with a natural gift for comedy, he helped build one of the most successful reality TV franchises of the last decade.
While his departure from Impractical Jokers marked the end of an era, Gatto’s financial standing remains rock solid. Between his work with Cannoli Productions, his popular "Two Cool Moms" podcast, and his ongoing comedy tours, he continues to expand his brand and wealth.
Joe Gatto has proven that while you don't need to be a "funny guy" to be rich, making people laugh can certainly be a very lucrative business.
