Joseph "Joey" Mazzarino (b. June 4, 1968) had been a performer on Sesame Street since 1989 and a writer since 1992.[1] He wrote his first sketch for the show, the Columbo parody "Colambo," as an audition piece, and soon found himself cast in the title role. He was promoted to head writer in Season 40.
With an inclination toward ad-libbing and a reputation as a cut-up on set, Mazzarino became a prominent player in the current Sesame Street cast. His recurring characters have included Murray Monster, Stinky the Stinkweed, Papa Bear, and the boisterous, tutu-wearing Elephant. In 2001, he took over the left head of the Two-Headed Monster. Mazzarino received his first Daytime Emmy nomination for the Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series in 2010.
Mazzarino's writing credits include Bear in the Big Blue House and the non-Muppet series The Upside Down Show and Sheep in the Big City (which was created by former Sesame Street writer Mo Willems, and for which he also did voice-overs). He also co-wrote the screenplays for The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Muppets from Space and Kermit's Swamp Years.
Mazzarino is married to actress Kerry Butler who has appeared on Sesame Street as Ms. Camp, the letter carrier. They have a daughter named Segi, who was the inspiration for the song "I Love My Hair."
In September 2015, Mazzarino announced on his Facebook page that he had left his position on Sesame Street; Season 46 had been recorded prior to his departure. He since worked on the Jim Henson Company production, Julie's Greenroom, as a writer and director.
Performing Credits
- Sesame Street: Amazing Al, The Banana King, Bernie Broccoli, Big Foot, Carson Daly Muppet, The Cheese, Colambo, Cousin Bear, Cowboy With a Drawl, Cricket, Dan Rather-not, "Dinner Theatre" son, Eliot Stabler Muppet, The Fairy Godperson, Figby, Geppetto, Gulliver, Gus Hopper, Hairy Hairy More Contrary, Henry Piggins, Horatio the Elephant, Ingrid, Itchy, Izzy, Jack ("Jack and the Beanstalk", Episode 4211), Jack ("Jack Be Nimble", Episode 4164), James Bond Muppet, Jamie Fox, Joe Hundred Guy, Joey Monkey, Mack, Merry Monster, Murray Monster, Murray (Anything Muppet), Narf, Number Zero, Papa Bear, Pedro, Phooey Louie, Pierre Blue, Pipe Organ, Provenza, Robin, Sharpay (puppetry only), Slug, Spalding Monster, Spill O'Reilly, Stinky the Stinkweed, The Sun (in "The New Here is Your Life"), "Super K" son, Swampy, Tito, The Tooth Fairy, Two-Headed Monster (left head, 2001-2016), Zostic
- Muppet Meeting Films: Gimley's Boss, Wesley, Franklin, Coffee Guy, Smerdley, Others
- City Kids
- Dog City: Artie Springer, Officer Fuzzy
- Billy Bunny's Animal Songs: Frog, Gopher
- Muppet Time: Icky No-No, Kirby, one of the Frog Scouts
- Yes, I Can
- The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
- Sesame Street Home Video Visits the Hospital
- A New Baby in My House
- We All Sing Together : Murray
- Sing-Along Earth Songs: John-Boy, Smokey the Salmon
- Sesame Street Stays Up Late: MNN Logo Purple Monster
- Elmo Saves Christmas: Lightning
- The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: Lester McBird, Elwood the Jester
- Big Bag: Chelli, Lyle the Sock
- Quiet Time: The Wise Man
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Bug
- CinderElmo: King Fred
- Kermit's Swamp Years: Goggles, Turtle, Joe the Armadillo (DVD extras only)
- Elmo's World: Happy Holidays: Lavender Caroler
- A Magical Halloween Adventure: Murray the Mediocre
- What's the Name of That Song?
- The West Wing: Muppet Doctor
- The Street We Live On
- Happy Healthy Monsters: Bobby
- Aliens in the Family: Spit, Yukkles
- A Sesame Street Christmas Carol: Joe Marley
- Panwapa: Bill the Bug
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown: Stan the Snowball
- Count on Sports: Sir Harry the Tennis Ball
- Happy, Healthy, Ready for School: Ready Stan, Rico
- Here For You: Chester
- Elmo and Abby's Birthday Fun!: Pail of Water
- Elmo's Alphabet Challenge: A. B. C-more
- Spaghetti Space Chase: Murray Monster, Macaroni the Merciless
Writing Credits
- Sesame Street (including the Colambo skits, What's the Word on the Street? segments, and many celebrity spots)
- Muppets from Space
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
- Kermit's Swamp Years
- Sesame Street 4D
- A Magical Halloween Adventure
- Happy Healthy Monsters
- Elmo's Magic Cookbook
- Elmopalooza!
- Bear in the Big Blue House - "Episode 321: The Yard Sale"
- Sesame Street Live - "Super Grover! Ready for Action", and "Elmo's Healthy Heroes"[2]
- Happy, Healthy, Ready for School
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown
- Here For You
Voice-over Acting
- Sesame Street: Animated segments produced by Mo Willems and ArtistMike
- Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures: Various
- Abby's Flying Fairy School: Blögg, Peck (Occasionally)
Sources
- ↑ Nerdist.com - Nerdist Writers Panel #114: Sesame Street, October 29, 2013
- ↑ Jennifer V. Hughes, "Sesame Street Live comes to Izod Center", The North Jersey Record, September 30, 2010.