Edward David Pepitone (born November 5, 1958) is an American character actor, stand-up comedian, and podcast host. He is known for his dark comedy style.
Early life Pepitone was born to a Sicilian father and a Jewish mother in Brooklyn, New York City, and was raised from the age of nine on Staten Island. His father was a history teacher and later the dean of a high school. As a child, he would often make his friends laugh, describing himself as a "classic class clown" and would incorporate the use of word play and non sequiturs. He cited Jackie Gleason as a major influence. While his mother was supportive of his career choice, his father wanted him to become a doctor. His father, involved with the Teachers Union, gave him a copy of The Rich and the Super Rich by Ferdinand Lundberg. Prior to becoming a comedian, he installed and sanded hardwood flooring, which he claims caused tinnitus that affects him today. He also developed a hernia while working on hardwood floors.
Career
Pepitone started doing stand-up comedy in 1978. He took a hiatus from performing stand up comedy and started doing improv comedy, performing with improv troupe Chicago City Limits. Described as a "cult favorite", Pepitone is a staple in the Los Angeles comedy scene. He is known for his regular appearances in the early days of the WTF with Marc Maron podcast and his sketch appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Conan, often playing his recurring role as the "New York City Heckler" in the audience. He has had recurring roles on television programs such as The Life & Times of Tim, The Sarah Silverman Program and Nick Swardson's Pretend Time. His short mockumentary film Runyon: Just Above Sunset, co-written by Karen Simmons and directed by Troy Conrad, won Best in Show (as well as Best Actor in a Mockumentary) at the L.A. Mockfest as well as Best Comedy Short at the Burbank Film Festival in 2011. Pepitone often pokes fun at corporatocracy and has been nicknamed the Bitter Buddha.
Pepitone was a first-round contestant during the first season of Last Comic Standing. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pepitone was a regular sketch performer on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He has appeared in films such as The Muppets, Old School, School for Scoundrels, and Terri. Pepitone regularly performs stand-up comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles. Pepitone has made many guest appearances on comedy programs, including Bob's Burgers, The King of Queens, Chappelle's Show, Malcolm in the Middle, House, Monk, Community, Childrens Hospital, The Eric Andre Show, Happy Endings, Flight of the Conchords, 2 Broke Girls, Whitney, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Pepitone also appears in the 2012 documentary Alone Up There, which looks at the craft of stand-up comedy.
Pepitone released a sketch comedy album in 2006 called The Big Push. His first stand-up album, A Great Stillness, was recorded at the Gotham Comedy Club and released in 2011.
From 2011 to 2013, Pepitone starred in the 500 episodes of the web comedy series Puddin'''. A documentary about Pepitone's career entitled The Bitter Buddha was released in 2012 to positive reviews.
In the fall of 2013, Pepitone started hosting his own podcast called Pep Talks after being a member of The Long Shot podcast for several years. In 2014, he won the September 7 episode of @midnight.
Pepitone appears in the Adult Swim comedy Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell as Eddie, a tortured soul.
His stand-up special For the Masses was released in June 2020. In December 2020, The New York Times called it the funniest special of the year.
Personal life Pepitone is a vegan, having become vegan after watching animal rights videos. His wife is an animal rights activist.
Pepitone is best friends with Matt Oswalt, the younger brother of Patton Oswalt.
Comedy specials The Bitter Buddha (2013) – A documentary exploring his life and career, available via DVD, download, and streaming. In Ruins (2014) – Originally premiering on Netflix, now available for download and streaming across various digital platforms. For the Masses (2020) – Available for streaming and download. The Collapse'' (2025) – Available exclusively for streaming on Veeps.
Discography
Albums Year Title Label Formats 2006 The Big Push Exotic Recordings CD/Download 2011 A Great Stillness Self-release Download 2014 Stand Up! Records CD/LP / color vinyl LP (2017) 2015 In Ruins: Live In Brooklyn Comedy Dynamics CD/Download
Video Specials Year Title Studio Formats 2014 In Ruins (special) Netflix Download/Streaming (Netflix and free on YouTube) 2020 For the Masses (special) 800 Pound Gorilla Download/Streaming 2025 The Collapse (special)VeepsStreaming (Free on YouTube)
Album appearances Year Artists Title Track 2006 The Comedians of Comedy Live at the El Rey Cameo 2007 Comedians To Pay Attention To 4. "Eddie Pepitone" 2012 Various Artists from Stand Up! Records Comedy Juice All-Stars 3. "Twitbook" Rob Kutner And The Levinson Brothers It's Okay To Do Stuff 6. "Wally Wants A Real Doll" 2015 Adam Carolla Road Work, Vol. 1 What Can't Adam Complain About? 7. "Finding Money (The Irvine Improv 12/10/12)" 2017 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend feat. Rachel Bloom Getting Over Jeff (single) 2. "My Friend's Dad"
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1986 Combat Shock Terry – Strung-Out Junkie 2003 Old School Archer 2005 Save the Mavericks Coach Cal Freeze Out Tim 2007 The Heckler Heckler / Stand-Up Short film; also writer Life with Fiona Mr. Thogmartin The Living Wake Reginald 2009 Punching the Clown Eddie 2010 Pickin' & Grinnin''' | Al
| The Search for Santa Paws|Carlos |Uncredited |- | Bright Day!| Himself | Documentary film |- | Seattle Komedy Dokumentary| Himself | Documentary film |- | rowspan="5"| 2011 | Runyon: Just Above Sunset| Eddie | Short film |- | Who the F#ck Is Chip Seinfeld?| Himself
| Terri| Joe Hollywood
| The Legend of Awesomest Maximus| Approximo
| The Muppets| Postman
| rowspan="2"| 2012 | Alone Up There| Himself | Documentary film |- | The Bitter Buddha| Himself | Documentary film |- | 2013 | Free Ride| BK
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | Trunk'd| Randy
| Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie| John Swann
| rowspan="2"| 2015 | Bad Night| The Clown
| Regular Show: The Movie| Sherm (voice)
| rowspan="2"| 2016 | B-Roll| Sam
| 5 Doctors| Boris
| 2017 | Handsome'' Durante
Television Year Title Role Notes2000Now and AgainDelivery Guy2001DeadlineMan2002Law & Order: Criminal IntentCourt Deputy / Counterman2002–2007Late Night with Conan O'BrienVarious2003Chappelle's ShowSheila's Neighbor2004The King of QueensDennis / Rob 2 episodes2004Crossballs: The Debate ShowPSA Father / Eddie Taylor2004Cheap SeatsAl Fawcett2005Weekends at the D.L.Dr. Miller / Sal2006Malcolm in the MiddleHomeless Nick 1 episode 2006 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Tony Episode: "Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare"2007 Flight of the Conchords Eddie 1 episode2007ERDying Patient – Bernie Zucker2007–2010The Sarah Silverman ProgramEddie Pepitone2008Wizards of Waverly PlaceCarny2008Atom TV(voice)2008Held UpMartinTelevision film2008–2012The Life & Times of TimVarious characters (voice)8 episodes2009Important Things with Demetri MartinJohnson2009MonkAnimal Control Officer2009Secret GirlfriendEddie2009–2020Reno 911!Murray / Bernie Sanders Decoy2010Funny or Die PresentsHobo / Guy on Couch2010WeedsPhil Lounsberry2010Childrens HospitalShady Mobster2010–2011Pretend TimeVarious2011SvetlanaClient2011Happy EndingsCrazy Randy2011–2015Aqua Teen Hunger ForceDolores Brutananadilewski (voice)3 episodes2011–20122 Broke GirlsHoarder Guy / Barney2011–2013ConanVarious2011–2014CommunityCrazy Schmidt4 episodes2012WhitneyOlder Man2012HouseOperator2012The Eric Andre ShowReporter2012–2014Kickin' It Lou 3 episodes2012–2016Comedy Bang! Bang!Various2012–2019Bob's BurgersReggie (voice)2013Arrested DevelopmentGovennah2013Hello LadiesPaparazzo2013–2019Your Pretty Face Is Going to HellEddie18 episodes2014Brooklyn Nine-NineLeo SpormEpisode: "The Ebony Falcon"2014The NeighborsMedieval Executioner2014MulaneyArnie2014–2015MaronStu Carbone2 episodes2015Man Seeking Woman2015The Jim Gaffigan ShowEddie Pepitone2015–2016Regular ShowSherm (voice)4 episodes2016LimitlessJosh-O-Saurus 2016Those Who Can'tJudge Strom Clancy2016–2017LoveEddie2017The GoldbergsTony the Deli GuyEpisode: "So Swayze It's Crazy"2017Crazy Ex-GirlfriendBob O'Brien 2017–2018Mighty MagiswordsDeBizz (voice)2018CorporateMitch the Butcher2018Stan Against EvilLeonard Walinsky2019SpeechlessAngry Traveler2019Bless This MessLarry2019Momma Named Me SheriffMr. Nabbers (voice)2019Rick and MortyTesticle Monster #2 (voice)Episode: "Rattlestar Ricklactica"2020Will & GraceWalt2020SchooledFishtown Frankie2020The Midnight GospelBob (Talking) (voice)2020Sarah Cooper: Everything's FineControl Room Guy / Bus PassengerTelevision special2021M.O.D.O.K.Bruno Horgan / Melter (voice)2021Saved by the BellPhil Dapatone2021–2023Ten Year Old TomVarious voices2022Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers DynastyMr. Melvin2022RamyFrankie2022Central Park(voice)2024–presentRock Paper ScissorsLou Zer (voice)Supporting character2024UnstableMaurice2024Kite Man: Hell Yeah!Sixpack (voice)2024Universal Basic GuysRick Rosen (voice)2026Regular Show: The Lost TapesSherm (voice)Episode: "Stilt Walkers"
References
External links