John Caparulo is a name synonymous with sharp wit and relatable humor in the American stand-up comedy scene. His journey, marked by dedication and comedic prowess, has taken him from the doors of the legendary Comedy Store to national television screens and beyond. This exploration delves into the career trajectory of John Caparulo, highlighting his key milestones and contributions to comedy.
Caparulo’s comedy career began in 1999 when he made the move from Ohio to Los Angeles, a pivotal decision that placed him at the heart of the entertainment industry. Landing a job at the World Famous Comedy Store in West Hollywood, not as a performer, but as a door worker, was his initial foray into the comedy world. For nearly four years, John Caparulo juggled door duties, lawn mowing at a golf course, and the existential ponderings of a struggling artist, all while yearning for precious stage time. This period of perseverance eventually paid off as the young comedian started catching the breaks he deserved.
His first major television appearance came with a spot on “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” a significant step that validated his comedic efforts. Following this, an invitation to the prestigious 2003 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal presented a unique opportunity. John Caparulo showcased his talent to industry executives, many of whom were based in his own city, proving that sometimes opportunity requires a journey, even if it leads you back home. This performance in Montreal proved fruitful, leading to a development deal with Fox. While this venture with Fox involved numerous meetings and pilot scripts that ultimately didn’t materialize, it was a crucial learning experience and a testament to his growing industry recognition.
2006 marked another significant chapter in John Caparulo’s career when he was selected to be featured in Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Tour documentary. The film, released in theaters in February 2008, achieved considerable commercial success, grossing over $600 worldwide and further exposing Caparulo to a wider audience. Around the same period, John Caparulo was also part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Next Generation. This tour achieved rapid success, selling out venues across the nation in March 2008, demonstrating Caparulo’s appeal to a broad comedy audience. Concurrently, he made multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” solidifying his presence in mainstream comedy.
John Caparulo became a familiar face on television through his extensive role as a panelist on Chelsea Handler’s popular E! show, “Chelsea Lately.” Over its seven-year run, he appeared over 150 times, showcasing his quick wit and comedic timing. His television credits also include appearances on “Ron White’s Salute To The Troops” on CMT, where he gained further recognition as the host of the humorous show “Mobile Home Disaster.” He also ventured into sitcoms, playing Brian in the short-lived ABC series “Work It,” which, despite its brevity, added to his diverse acting portfolio. In a more recent television appearance, John Caparulo showcased his comedic take on sports in Showtime’s “Unsportsmanlike Comedy with Rob Gronkowski” in 2018, highlighting his versatility in tackling different comedic themes.
John Caparulo has solidified his stand-up credentials with two critically acclaimed comedy specials/albums. “John Caparulo: Meet Cap,” premiered on Comedy Central in 2008, introducing his brand of comedy to a national audience. This was followed by “John Caparulo: Come Inside Me,” which launched on Netflix in 2013, further expanding his reach through the streaming platform. Continuing to innovate in content delivery, in February 2014, Caparulo launched “Caplets,” a series of fresh comedy segments released every 30 days and distributed across Hulu, his website JohnCaparulo.com, and YouTube.com/JohnCaparuloComedy, demonstrating his adaptability to digital platforms.
Beyond stand-up and television, John Caparulo has also ventured into animation, lending his voice to the character “Headphone Joe” in Disney’s “Fish Hooks.” Demonstrating his creative ambition, Caparulo has been developing “John Caparulo’s Cartoon Comic,” an animated series inspired by his experiences as a comedian, husband, and father. This project extends into the realm of comic books under the same title, and he has also produced animated stand-up shorts, showcasing his multimedia creative endeavors.
After two decades performing globally, John Caparulo established a residency in Las Vegas, performing nearly 500 shows during a two-year stint at Harrah’s. “John Caparulo’s Mad Cap Comedy” ran five nights a week from May 10th, 2018, until its unexpected closure on March 15th, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
Adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic, John Caparulo innovated with “Un-Capped Comedy,” a monthly livestream show where the audience directly influences the comedic direction by choosing topics. As live venues reopen, “Un-Capped Comedy” is transitioning to a touring format, allowing audiences nationwide to shape each performance, marking a dynamic and interactive evolution in John Caparulo’s comedy career.
