Getty Images
Joe Gatto Honors Late Mother in ‘Impractical Jokers’ Movie: “I Love and Miss Her” (EXCLUSIVE)
TruTV hidden-camera comedy Impractical Jokers is getting a feature-length film, and Joe Gatto's late mother will have a small cameo! As Joe revealed in a June 2 Instagram post, a photo of his mother appears on an "Employee of the Month" plaque prop.
"I was thinking of a way to honor my mom in the movie because she is such a big part of my success," the comedian exclusively tells Life & Style. "She always supported me and gave great advice, which I try to do for everyone in my life. I love and miss her, so it seemed only right to include her somehow in one of the biggest milestones of my career thus far."
On Instagram, Joe called the prop his "favorite Easter egg" of the movie. "Congratulations, Mom, on becoming 'Employee of the Month,'" he added. "Miss you so much."
According to an obituary in the Staten Island Advance, Gerri Gatto passed away in 2012 at age 67, nearly two decades after the death of her husband, Joseph. A longtime Staten Islander, Gerri worked as a secretary and an executive assistant; and she enjoyed dancing, reading, taking trips to the beach, spending time with her grandchildren, and going to Atlantic City with her friends. "She was fun-loving, compassionate and had a zest for life," Joe and his siblings said in a statement, calling her "an all-around great mom."
Now, of course, her legacy will live on in one of her son Joe's crowning achievements. TruTV announced the film as it renewed Impractical Jokers, its top-rated program, for an eight season. As Deadline reports, the film — produced by Funny or Die — has the Jokers competing in hidden-camera challenges for a chance at redemption after a high-school mishap embarrassed them back in 1992.
"The Jokers' authentic friendship and genuine relatability [have] endeared them to millions of fans around the world, creating one of the most original brands in all of television," TruTV President Chris Linn said in a statement this March. "We're incredibly proud of the partnership we've developed with the guys throughout the years, and the growing, multi-platform success of the Impractical Jokers brand." (And Joe's mom would be even prouder, we imagine!)
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Life & Style does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.