Joey Mazzarino
Joseph Mazzarino (born June 4, 1968) is an American puppeteer, actor, writer and director. He is best known for his roles on Sesame Street as Murray Monster, Stinky the Stinkweed and other Muppets. Mazzarino was also the head writer for the show in 1992.[1]
Joey Mazzarino | |
---|---|
Born | Joseph Mazzarino June 4, 1968 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Puppeteer, actor, writer, director |
Years active | 1986–2015 |
Spouse(s) | |
Children | 2 |
Career
Former Muppet performer Camille Bonora influenced Mazzarino when she taught an improvisation class at his university, and eventually introduced him to Jim Henson. Mazzarino later became the head writer for Sesame Street and also worked on The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Muppets From Space, and Kermit's Swamp Years.[2]
When Mazzarino auditioned for Sesame Street, he wrote a sketch called "Colambo" and soon found himself cast in the title role. Since then, he had been a prominent member of the Sesame Street cast where he performed Horatio the Elephant, Murray Monster, Papa Bear, Stinky the Stinkweed, and various characters until 2015, when he resigned.
Personal life
Mazzarino is married to actress Kerry Butler.[3] They have two adoptive daughters, one named Segi for whom he wrote the Sesame Street song "I Love My Hair." The Muppet who sang the song was also named Segi.
Filmography
Television
- Aliens in the Family – Spit (voice)
- Big Bag – Chelli, Lyle the Sock
- Blue's Clues – Boogie Woogie, Roary, Sprinkles (in "Meet Blue's Baby Brother!")
- Blue's Room – Boogie Woogie, Roary, Sprinkles (season 2)
- CityKids – Captain (Inside the Head)
- Dog City – Artie Springer
- Elmo's World – Big Foot, Brown Bunny (in "Elmo Has Two! Hands, Ears & Feet")
- Journey to Ernie – The Mighty Joke Tree, Sammy (squirrel), Artist Walrus, Penguin (voice), Kittens 2 and 3
- Muppet Time – Icky No-No, Kirby, one of the Frog Scouts
- Nick Jr. – Flexy ("Little Big Room" segments)
- Nature Cat – Cruiser
- Panwapa – Bill the Bug
- Sesame Street – Murray Monster, Blögg ("Abby's Flying Fairy School" segments), Colambo, Horatio the Elephant, Ingrid, Joey Monkey, Merry Monster, Narf, Old MacDonald, Papa Bear, Stinky the Stinkweed, Two-Headed Monster (left head, 2001–2016), The Fairy Godperson, Zostic ("Super Morphin Mega Monsters" segments)
- Sheep in the Big City – General Lee Outrageous, Buddy Somebody, Count D'Ten
- The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss – Elwood the Jester (in "The King's Beard"), Lester McBird (in "Lester Leaps In")
- Team Umizoomi - Brachiosaurus (voice) (Uncredited)
Film
- A Sesame Street Christmas Carol – Joe Marley, Joey Dickens
- CinderElmo – King Fred, Blue Mouse, Ingrid
- Elmo Saves Christmas – Lightning the Reindeer
- Elmo Says BOO! – Joey Monkey, Sir Count-A-Lot
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown – Papa Bear, Stan the Snowball
- Elmopalooza – Horatio the Elephant
- Ghost Town – Food Delivery Guy
- Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake – Additional Muppet Performer
- Kermit's Swamp Years – Goggles the Toad, Joe the Armadillo, Turtle No. 1
- Muppet Meeting Films – Gimley's Boss, Wesley, Franklin (2nd Time), Coffee Guy, Smerdley (2nd Time)
- Billy Bunny's Animal Songs – Frog, Gopher
- Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration! – Joey Monkey, Merry Monster
- Sesame Street Celebrates Around the World – MNN Logo Purple Monster
- Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration – Joey Monkey, Merry Monster
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland – Bug
- The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson – Additional Muppets
Crew work
- Bear in the Big Blue House – Writer ("The Yard Sale" episode)
- Elmo's Christmas Countdown – Writer
- Elmopalooza – Writer
- Julie's Greenroom – Director/Writer/Co-Producer
- Kermit's Swamp Years – Screenplay Co-Writer
- Muppets from Space – Screenplay Co-Writer
- Sesame Street – Writer/Director
- Sheep in the Big City – Writer
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland – Screenplay Co-Writer
- The Upside Down Show – Writer
- Kidding – Writer
References
- "Interview With Sesame Street Head Writer Joey Mazzarino". April 5, 2015.
- Hennes, Joe (February 23, 2009). "A Chat with Joey Mazzarino, part 1". ToughPigs.com. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- "Broadway Buzz - Videos, Interviews, Photos, News and Tickets - Broadway.com". www.broadway.com.
External links
Preceded by Jerry Nelson |
Performer of Two-Headed Monster (left head) 2001–2016 |
Succeeded by Eric Jacobson |
Preceded by None |
Performer of Horatio the Elephant 2007–2016 |
Succeeded by Peter Linz |