Paul Iacono
| Paul Iacono | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Paul Stanley Iacono September 7, 1988 Secaucus, New Jersey, United States |
| Occupation | Actor, writer, comedian |
| Years active | 1998–present |
Paul Stanley Iacono (born September 7, 1988) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying RJ Berger in the MTV scripted series The Hard Times of RJ Berger.
Early years
Iacono was born in Secaucus, New Jersey, to Italian American parents[1][2] Michele and Anthony Iacono, a Town administrator.[3][4] Iacono went to Professional Performing Arts School in New York with friend and Fame co-star Paul McGill.
At eight years old, Iacono was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He soon began receiving chemotherapy treatments and has been in remission since he was eleven years old.[5]
Career
A graduate of NYC's Professional Performing Arts School, Iacono is best known for his portrayal of the title character on MTV's, "The Hard Times of RJ Berger."
Paul first gained wide notice for his numerous appearances on TV's The Rosie O'Donnell Show after Rosie O'Donnell discovered his unique talents for impersonating Frank Sinatra and Ethel Merman, at age 8.
Starting out as child actor in the NYC theater scene, Paul has appeared in over 100 theatrical productions. He has shared the stage with such greats as Mickey Rooney in The Wizard of Oz and Stephanie Mills in the original "Paper Mill Playhouse" production of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden. Iacono can be heard on the original cast recording. Other theatrical credits include Mame with Christine Ebersole, Noël Coward's Sail Away with Elaine Stritch and Marian Seldes, and John Guare's Landscape of the Body, with Lili Taylor and Sherie Rene Scott.
Paul's film career includes the MGM's remake of "Fame", "No God, No Master" with David Strathairn, and Darren Stein's teen comedy, "G.B.F." Upcoming films include Drew Barrymore's, "Animal", "Rhymes with Banana" with Zosia Mamet and Judith Light, and "Unreachable by Conventional Means," with Alexandra Daddario and Tovah Feldshuh. According to Entertainment Weekly, co-star Megan Mullally gave Iacono high praise for his improvisational acting and singing skills.
Iacono appears in an Adidas commercial featuring rapper Bobby Ray "B.o.B" Simmons, Jr. And also appears in Bobby Ray's Music Video "Magic", featuring Rivers Cuomo.
As a creator, Paul wrote and produced the NY play, "Prince/Elizabeth," and is in development on his second pilot, "GIF'ted."
Iacono is openly gay and a major LGBTQ activist, having publicly come out in Michael Musto's Village Voice Column in April 2012. He was named one of OUT Magazine's 100 most influential gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people for 2013.
Personal life
In April 2012, Iacono revealed that he is gay during an interview with Michael Musto from The Village Voice.[6]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Winter Solstice | Jr. | (Uncredited) |
| 2005 | Shakes | Young Shakes | (Short) |
| 2008 | Glow Ropes: The Rise and Fall of a Bar Mitzvah Emcee | Ricky Lopefrawitz | |
| 2008 | Return to Sleepaway Camp | Pee Pee | |
| 2009 | Fame | Neil Baczynsky | |
| 2010 | Consent (film) | Mickey | |
| 2012 | Mac & Devin Go to High School | Mahatma Chang Greenberg | |
| 2012 | No God, No Master | Tony Cafiero | |
| 2012 | Rhymes with Banana | Ted | |
| 2013 | G.B.F. | Brent Van Camp | |
| 2013 | The Bad Guys | Paul | |
| 2014 | Animal | Sean |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Dora the Explorer | Benny the Bull | Episode "Maestra" |
| 2005 | The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie | Party Boy | (TV Movie) |
| 2007 | Human Giant | Billy Boy | 2 Episodes |
| 2010-2011 | The Hard Times of RJ Berger | R.J. Berger | 24 Episodes |
| 2014 | Chozen | Fridget | Voice |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Children of Eden | Donny | Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey |
| 1998 | The Wizard of Oz | ||
| 1999 | Mame | Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey | |
| 2006 | Landscape of the Body Donny | Signature Theatre, New York City | |
| 2007 | The Dark at the Top of the Staris | Punky Givens | Transport Theatre Company at the Connelly Theatre, New York City. |
| 2015 | Mercury Fur | Lola | The New Group, New York City |
References
- ↑ Paul Iacono Interview — JJJ Exclusive!
- ↑ Wright, E. Assata. "The biggest loser" The Union City Reporter; June 20, 2010; Page 6
- ↑ "Hoboken arrest on drug and DWI charges leads to former Secaucus town administrator Anthony Iacono losing job as Passaic's business administrator". NJ.com. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ↑ Wright, E. Assata (2009-08-29). "Baby, remember his name; Secaucus native Paul Iacono to co-star in 'Fame' remake". The Hudson Reporter. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
- ↑ "Exclusive: MTV's Paul Iacono: I Almost Died of Leukemia at Age 8". Us Weekly. 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
- ↑ Musto, Michael (April 11, 2012). "Paul Iacono's Coming Out Interview". The Village Voice. (Village Voice Media). Retrieved April 11, 2012.