Eddie Pepitone

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.

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 Comedy Dynamics 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

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

Alone Up There| Himself Documentary film The Bitter Buddha| Himself Documentary film 2013 Free Ride| BK

Trunk'd| Randy Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie| John Swann

Bad Night| The Clown Regular Show: The Movie| Sherm (voice)

B-Roll| Sam 5 Doctors| Boris 2017 Handsome'' Durante

Television