John Pirruccello was born in Texas, raised in Virginia and then Vermont, and started his professional acting career in San Francisco. It was there that he learned improvisation in a weekly drop-in class run by the great Jim Cranna of the Committee. He eventually began leading his own weekly improv class, which continues to this day without him. He’s quite certain they miss him terribly.
It was in San Francisco that John broke into voiceover, lending his voice to thousands of projects ranging from radio commercials to video games to movies. He also kept busy doing improv, sketch comedy, theater, industrial films, the occasional movie and TV role, and was once a record album at a music convention. A gig’s a gig. San Francisco was a great place to be and he was surrounded by extraordinary creative and generous people so he thrived.
In 2004 John moved to Los Angeles. We all know what that was about. He immediately went to Hollywood Boulevard to receive his star on the Walk of Fame, but as it turns out there is a waiting list and endless bureaucracy. While waiting for the paper work to clear, John has kept busy working steadily in voiceover, television, film and in the theater. He has also performed stand-up all around LA, including at The Improv and The Comedy Store. It’s been a great ride so far.
He has had the good fortune to be and play his son’s father on Thundercats and Two And A Half Men. He performed in “Harrison Texas,” two one acts by Horton Foote staged by Second Story and directed by Scott Paulin and attended by Mr. Foote himself. He played Clara Mamet’s father in her world premier play “Paris,” directed by Paul Sand. He has had many memorable roles on many television shows, including playing Gregor Hobart on The Mentalist in star Simon Baker’s debut directing turn on the show in an episode written by creator Bruno Heller.
He spent a magical summer in NYC Playing Nick Stavros in “Phil Spector,” written and directed by his hero David Mamet, which premiers on HBO March 24th.
John has two excellent children and lives in the Santa Monica-Malibu School District.