Joe Nipote
Actor. Comedian. Voice. Ring Announcer. Author. A career forty-plus years in the making.
Joe Nipote is an actor, comedian, writer, and speaker who played Frankie Waters — an expert mechanic — for five seasons on the action series Viper, produced by Pet Fly Productions in association with Paramount Network Television. He remained the only original member of the Viper team from its inception in 1994 through 1999.
Early Career
Growing up in Detroit, Nipote pursued performance from an early age. He earned an acting scholarship to Central Michigan University but left one semester before graduation to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. While supporting himself as a racquetball instructor, he landed a spot on HBO's 5th Young Comedian's Special, appearing alongside other emerging comedians of the era.
This appearance led to numerous television roles and live performances. He became a favorite opening act for major headliners including Tina Turner, The O'Jays, Dwight Yoakam, Barbara Mandrell, Dave Mason, Judy Collins, Ben Vereen, Frankie Valli, Robert Goulet, Suzanne Somers, Freddy Fender, Captain & Tennille, and Tower of Power.
Radio & Education
After establishing himself on the comedy club circuit, Nipote accepted a morning show host position at Detroit's 101 FM WRIF, the city's oldest and most respected rock and roll radio station. His improvisational, character-driven humor quickly earned audience affection.
Following this role, he returned to Oakland University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. As a graduation requirement, he starred in the award-winning play Amadeus, playing Salieri — earning a best actor award and selection to represent his state in the Irene Ryan Theatre Award Competition.
Los Angeles
Back in Los Angeles, Nipote became a regular contributor to the KIIS-FM morning show hosted by Rick Dees. His "Candid Phone" bit — featuring a Jack Nicholson impression calling the LA Forum maintenance department to locate sunglasses allegedly lost in a toilet during a Lakers game — garnered significant attention. The real Jack Nicholson reportedly called to inquire who created the impression.
He appeared on numerous television programs including Rick Dees' Into the Night, Happy Days, The New WKRP, The Jeffersons, Normal Life, Northern Exposure, and Murphy Brown. On Murphy Brown, playing Candace Bergen's secretary, his performance was deemed so funny that director Peter Bonerz repeatedly asked him to be "less funny" to avoid upstaging the star.
Voice Acting
In 1994, Steven Spielberg handpicked Nipote to voice "Uncle Stretch," leader of the "Ghostly Trio," in Universal/Amblin's animated feature Casper. He reprised the role in the Fox network animated series and voiced characters in What-A-Mess, the new Superman, The Mask, Disney's Duck Daze, and Justice League Unlimited.
In video games, he worked on multiple LucasArts titles — Monkey Island (CD-ROM Game of the Year) and Grim Fandango. He also voiced a lead character in Black Isle's Icewind Dale II and lent his voice to five different characters in Mafia II for 2K Games.
Film & Later Television
His film credits include Back by Midnight (co-starring Rodney Dangerfield as "Ears," a safecracker), The Last Tenor (also with Dangerfield), Cloud Nine (starring Burt Reynolds), Soul's Midnight (a vampire film co-starring Armand Assante), and Meatballs II (as "Boomer").
In 2010–2011, he appeared on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and Disney's Suite Life On Deck. He recently guest-starred on DirecTV's Kingdom.
Writing & Children's Work
Nipote pursued scriptwriting and had his first script optioned by Fox Family Channel — a comedy titled Angel & the Mobster. Since age 16, when he worked for the City of Southfield Library as "Conductor Joe," he has been passionate about performing for children. He performs his children's books: Eggy Yolk™ and the Dirty Rotten Dozen, Something Stinks!, and Spinelli — The Spider Who Hates The Taste Of Bugs!
Standup & Today
Beginning his standup career in 1980, Nipote headlined comedy clubs across the country. He has returned to standup, producing his own comedy shows called Joe Nipote's comedySLAM™, A Night Of Slammin' Standup Comedy! for charities across the country. He continues to act, announce boxing on HBO and Showtime, and produce comedy concerts for private organizations and non-profits.
