Paul Iacono

Paul Iacono is an American actor and writer. He is best known for portraying RJ Berger in the MTV scripted series The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

Early years Iacono's parents, Michele and Anthony, are Italian American. He has a younger brother, who works as DJ in New Jersey, and a sister, from his Dad's second marriage. with friend and Fame co-star Paul McGill. He graduated in 2006.

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 is in development on his second pilot, "GIF'ted".

As a writer, Iacono penned the play High Priest. In 2024, the world premiere reading of the play took place at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, directed by Rachel Klein. The piece explores the history of The Factory, with a focus on figures like Ondine, Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Billy Name, Paul Morrissey, Lou Reed, Nico, and others. Following the reading, a post-show discussion featured Danny Fields and Vincent Fremont.

Personal life Iacono is gay and a major LGBTQ activist, having publicly come out in Michael Musto's Village Voice Column in April 2012.

In an April 2012 interview with Michael Musto from The Village Voice, Iacono revealed that he is attracted to both men and women, but prefers men much more and identifies as a gay man and as bisexual. Iacono stated that "I am attracted to girls, I'm just attracted to guys much more."

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 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 2014 Animal Sean 2017Dating My MotherRichard 2018 The Bad Guys Paul

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 Main role 2014 Chozen Fridget Voice

Stage