Joe Gatto is shifting his focus from Impractical Jokers.
The comedian and founding member of the comedy four-piece has announced that he will be departing the group and truTV’s prank show, in an effort to focus on other matters, such as co-parenting his children.
Gatto shared the news to Instagram with a lengthy message, thanking his fans for following along for the last decade-plus of jokes, and letting them know he hopes to entertain them in other ways in the future.
“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,” Gatto wrote. “However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away. Bessy and I have decided to amicably part ways, so now I need to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids.”
Gatto continued writing that outside of those with his family, his “relationships with [fellow Jokers] Murr, Q and Sal have been the most important in my life.”
“I know they will continue to make the world laugh,” he shared. “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.”
Gatto’s fellow Jokers and high school friends Sal Vulcano, Brian “Q” Quinn and James “Murr” Murray, also shared a statement, promising fans that the Impractical Jokers will continue without the founding member.
“Hi everyone, so here we are,” the shared. “After all these years together, we never imagined making ‘Impractical Jokers’ without Joe. While we are saddened to see him go, we want to keep making people laugh, keep our relationship working with the members of our team that we consider family. With the support of our fans, we’ll get back to making a new chapter of ‘Impractical Jokers’ in January,”
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