Fans of Joe Piscopo can see him live at the St. Ann’s Festival in Hoboken on Thursday, July 21. This is Piscopo’s first time at the popular Italian festival, where he will be performing a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Hoboken for the city’s 150-year anniversary with his original big band.
Hoboken
Joe Piscopo visited Hoboken on Friday, July 8 to sample some fresh mozzarella from Fiore’s Deli and to talk about his upcoming performance at St. Ann’s Festival. “People come from all over to see Hoboken,” said Piscopo. “St. Ann’s Festival is legendary.”
Piscopo recalled his first memory of Hoboken, which was going down Monroe Street to pass where Frank Sinatra lived. He remembers driving with his father and listening to Sinatra on the radio. He said that listening to songs that way teaches you about respect and loyalty.
“My father was my real hero. He said that Sinatra was always respectful,” said Piscopo. When Piscopo first began doing Frank Sinatra impressions, he sent Sinatra a note to let him know. “I always did it with the utmost respect,” said Piscopo. “And he [Sinatra] liked it.”
The entertainer
Fans of Saturday Night Live can recall several roles that Piscopo made famous, like Doug Whiner. Film fans might remember him in the popular movie Wise Guys or Johnny Dangerously. But for all his time spent on the show and in comedic roles, Piscopo considers himself to be an entertainer and actor. Piscopo said the comedy roles were a means to an end.
“You wait in line to do standup for five minutes,” said Piscopo. “You either have it or not. I’m not a comedian. I enjoy serious acting too.”
Piscopo has appeared on the drama Law and Order and in the film Bartleby. His new Production company, Avellino Productions, which he started two years ago, produced the drama Bloomfield Avenue for HBO and is working on the independent film, Joey Benefit, which is about a guy that can’t say no to charity. When asked, Piscopo said he would like to move into directing films. “I’m doing now what I should have done 20 years ago,” said Piscopo.
Governor?
Piscopo said that he has shelved the idea of running for governor, but did say that it was true that some independent young businessmen wanted to back him. “It’s something I would consider if we had a problem again,” said Piscopo. “The governor [Codey] is really good now.”
Even without holding a public office, Piscopo still does a tremendous amount of public service. A born and raised resident of New Jersey and a Democrat, he is actively involved with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. He worked hard on the Jersey Joe’s Gym project, which is a mentoring project that involves the Newark police department and inner-city kids.
Piscopo loves his home state and tries to make it better any way he can, even though he is known to have made jokes about New Jersey. “If you are from New Jersey, you can make jokes about New Jersey,” said Piscopo.
Joe Piscopo will be performing at St. Ann’s Festival in Hoboken on Thursday, July 21. For more information please call: (201) 659-1114.