Laugh it up with comedian
Local comic stands up with 'Sopranos' star
By Shawn Hansen, Tewksbury Advocate
Published September 17, 2009
For $20, comedy fans can see these three headliners perform for a 90-minute show, sponsored by the American Heart Association. Salvatore's is located at 354 Merrimack St.
"The food is fantastic there," said Russo. "It's like a diamond in the rough especially for this area."
Russo said he met Santorelli about 10 years ago when he first started doing comedy.
"We became friends in 2000 when I won the Boston Comedy Festival New Comic Award," he said. After their friendship debuted at the turn of the century, Russo found himself in opening acts for Santorelli. Aside from comedy shows, the two have worked together in fundraiser events.
Russo appeared on "The Phantom Gourmet" this past Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10:30 a.m., and 5 p.m. Russo met the crew at the Hot Dog Safari and met Eddie Edelman there.
"My Dad and I listened to him when I grew up for years. He was one of the originals for sports radio. He was the original," said Russo.
He said everything about the show was very professional and he would like to thank Eric, Ken, Dave, Dan, Mike, and the rest of the "Gourmet" crew for everything.
Aside performing at Salvatore's this Saturday, Russo will pair up with Ross, Larry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Tingle, and Lamount Price on Sept. 24.
"We're doing a show for the Boys and Girls Club of Boston," said Russo. The show will be at Patriot Place at Gillette at 8 p.m.
Santorelli has been a standup comedian since 1981 when he first appeared at the Cleveland Comedy Club in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He moved to Massachusetts in 1985, and he currently lives in Waltham.
"Being a standup comic in Boston, we used to go to New York and audition for stuff all the time," said Santorelli, explaining that there once ewas a hockey audition so they dressed full throttle and drove off to The Big Apple.
Santorelli said that he had a lot of shows in the state of the Evil Empire and was noticed by different agents, and managers.
"I got this thing called 'The Sopranos.' Nobody ever heard of it before and I was telling people, 'Hey. I'm on this show, 'The Sopranos,' and they were like, 'That's a stupid name."'
In Santorelli's stint as bartender Georgie, he played in 16 episodes over the span of eight seasons. He was one of the original cast members, and is beginning to get more recognition for his role as Georgie, now that the show is free and plays on A&E instead of HBO.
Santorelli said he was beaten up by Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini, in 12 of the 16 episodes he appeared in.
"There are rumblings that they might do a movie, and I might be involved some how," said Santorelli.
Besides getting beaten up on TV, Santorelli has been on Conan, national commercials, "Last Comic Standing," "Law and Order," "Spin City," "Providence," and "Law and Order Criminal Intent
Ross is going to be in a movie with Ben Affleck this year. She has been on "Roseanne." She has opened for comedian Andrew Dice Clay in front of 10,000 people. She has worked with Jackie Mason, Pat Cooper, and shot the pilot "Battle" for Twentieth Century Fox.
Go to www.daverusso.net for more information.
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