Mario Cantone Biography

Mario Cantone's one-man variety show "Laugh Whore" opened to a flurry of rave reviews, and took its final Broadway bows with a special taping for the SHOWTIME network.

Just prior to that, Cantone starred on Broadway in "The Violet Hour," and left ‘em dead in the aisles starring in the Tony Award winning "Assassins," by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman. This critically acclaimed, award-winning, production was directed by Joe Mantello, who helmed Cantone's "Laugh Whore."
Mario is also recognized as Marintino, Charlotte's wedding planner, with attitude on ‘Sex and the City;' Mario also appeared in the 2008 film of the same title.

An accomplished stage actor, his Broadway debut was replacing Nathan Lane in the role of Buzz in Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning dramatic comedy, "Love! Valor! Compassion!" For the Public Theater on Broadway, Canone played Stephano in Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Off-Broadway in Shakespeare in the Park, he played Grumio in "Taming of the Shrew." Also Off-Broadway he was Terry in the original cast of "The Crumple Zone" and Benny in "June Moon."

As a stand-up comedian he has performed at a wide range of venues, from warming up the great Shirley Bassey at Carnegie Hall to performances in Atlantic City, headlining at the Borgata, and "Caroline's" on Broadway. Peter Marks of The New York Times wrote, "In the realm of outrageously, joyful stand-up, there is the shrieking, wind-up toy sensibility of Mario Cantone, a comedian of extravagant tantrums and extravagant gifts…he is a proponent of the comedy of outrage."

On Comedy Central, Cantone's performances are featured on The USO Comedy Tour, Chappelle's Show, The Dennis Leary Roast, as well as his own special Comedy Central Presents Mario Cantone. Over the years his routines have included musical parodies of Judy Garland, Jim Morrison, Peggy Lee, Bruce Springsteen, and Liza Minnelli.
Cantone got his start hosting the local New York children's show, "Steampipe Alley," where the comic slipped in sly pop culture innuendo that adults could enjoy. His other television credits include appearances on "Late Night with David Letterman," "Oprah," "Martha," "The View," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," and the role of Terry in "Men in Trees." He was also featured in the films "Quiz Show," "Mousetrap," and "Surf's Up."