Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto quitting the show over ‘personal issues’ and announces split from wife Bessy after eight years of marriage
After nearly a decade on TruTV, the Impractical Jokers team is losing one of its four stars.
Joe Gatto, 45, took to social media on Friday with a shocking message announcing he was leaving the show and splitting from his wife of eight years, Bessy, amid ‘some issues’ in his personal life.
The remaining three stars of the joke show, Q, Murr and Sal shared a ‘saddened’ response to the announcement but vowed to keep the show going even without Gatto.
Quitting: Joe Gatto, 45, took to social media on Friday announcing he was leaving Impractical Jokers and splitting from his wife of eight years, Bessy, amid ‘some issues’ in his personal life
In a lengthy Instagram post, Gatto dropped the bombshell that he was exiting Impractical Jokers and divorcing, alongside a black and white photo of him on stage at a comedy show.
‘I just wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be involved with Impractical Jokers. Alongside my friends, I’ve devoted a decade of my life to building this franchise and couldn’t be prouder of what has been accomplished,’ he began.
‘However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away.’
Joe went on to explain that he and his wife Bessy, whom he wed in 2013 were ‘amicably’ parting ways and would co-parent their two children.
‘I just wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be involved with Impractical Jokers. Alongside my friends, I’ve devoted a decade of my life to building this franchise and couldn’t be prouder of what has been accomplished,’ he began. ‘However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away.’
‘Outside of my family, my relationships with Murr, Q and Sal have been the most important in my life. I know they will continue to make the world laugh,’ he penned.
‘And even though the four of us are the ones who you all see, this show is only possible due to the hard work of the talented crew members who work behind the scenes. I am very thankful to have worked with each and every one of them.’
‘To all of the amazing fans, thank you for allowing me to make you laugh with Jokers. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and I hope I’ve been able to provide some of that over the last decade.’
It seems that Gatto will be taking some time off to ‘work through the challenges’ in his life but planned to return to the public eye at some point in the future.
Personal problems: Joe went on to explain that he and his wife Bessy, whom he wed in 2013 were ‘amicably’ parting ways and would co-parent their two children
Fans flooded the post, which was shared late Friday night, expressing a mixture of support for the star and disappointment at his departure from Impractical Jokers.
Gatto has co-hosted the hidden camera hijinks series alongside Brian Quinn, James Murray and Sal Vulcano since 2011.
In a joint statement shared on Murray’s Instagram, the three hosts vowed to keep things going for the fans despite Gatto’s absence.
‘After all these years, we never imagined making Impractical Jokers without Joe,’ the statement read.
‘While we are saddened to see him go, we want to keep making people laugh, keep our relationship with Impractical Jokers fans going, and keep working with members of our team that we consider family.’
Q, Murr and Sal added that as a trio they will get back to production sometime in January.
Moving on: Gatto has co-hosted the hidden camera hijinks series alongside Brian Quinn, James Murray and Sal Vulcano since 2011 and in a joint statement shared on Murray’s Instagram, the three hosts vowed to keep things going for the fans despite Gatto’s absence
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