Mario Cantone

Mario Cantone
Mario Cantone, April 2007
Born	(1959-12-09) December 9, 1959 (age 57) Stoneham, Massachusetts, US
Medium	Stand-up, television, film, stage
Nationality	American
Years active	1987–present
Genres	Character comedy, observational comedy, physical comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, family, celebrities, stereotypes
Spouse	Jerry Dixon (m. 2011)
Notable works and roles	Various in Chappelle's Show Anthony Marentino on Sex and the City Mikey Abromowitz in Surf's Up
Website	http://www.mariocantone.com

Mario Cantone (born December 9, 1959) is an American comedian, writer and actor, with numerous appearances on Comedy Central including Chappelle's Show. He also played Anthony Marentino on Sex and the City. His style is fast-paced and energetic, with much of his humor coming from his impersonations of various characters ranging from his family members, to celebrities, to stereotypes.

Cantone was born in Massachusetts, and raised in Stoneham, where his family moved when he was two. He was the fourth of five children of Mario, Sr., a Boston restaurant owner, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Pescione). His father moved the family to Stoneham, according to Cantone in a 2004 New York Times interview to get her away from her bookie relatives. Cantone stated that the problem "was that she was not only a bookie but she was also a compulsive gambler." His mother, who had been a big band singer in her youth, died when he was 21.

Cantone's first impression was of Julia Child, which he presented in a junior high school talent show. He graduated from Stoneham High School in 1978 and Emerson College in 1982.

He began his professional career hosting a children's show called Steampipe Alley, which aired on New York-New Jersey superstation WWOR-TV from 1988 to 1993.

In his stand-up concerts, he is known for his occasionally campy impressions of entertainment personalities such as Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Bruce Springsteen, Jim Morrison, and Bette Davis as well as for his original songs.