Will Sasso
- Will Sasso
Infobox actor
name = Will Sasso
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birthname = William Sasso
birthdate = Birth date and age|1975|5|24|mf=y
death = Death date and age|2003|9|12|1932|2|26 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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deathplace =
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website = http://www.hamfatter.com
academyawards =
emmyawards =
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Will Sasso (born May 24, 1975) is a Canadian comedian and actor. He is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on the American sketch comedy series "MADtv", spending five seasons on the show. (1997 - 2002)
Early life
Sasso was born in Ladner, British Columbia, Canada, to an Italian Canadian family (originally from Gubbio). He graduated from Delta Secondary School in Delta, British Columbia in 1993. He credits his determination to become an actor and his respect for comedy to an "unhealthy addiction to...television".
Career
At the age of 15 he landed his first agent and quickly began booking roles in television and film. Before moving from Vancouver to Los Angeles, Sasso starred for five seasons as quirky teen `Derek Wakaluk' on the award-winning Canadian dramatic series "Madison". Official mini-biographies claim that this experience ..." [allowed] him to hone his acting and improvisational skills... [and provided] him with enough money to buy a television of his own."
In 1996, he landed a role as Pete the orderly in "", starring Paul McGann, Eric Roberts and Daphne Ashbrook. This movie aired on FOX, which also broadcast "MADtv".
"MADtv"
By the end of its second season (1996-1997), "MADtv" experienced its first big cast turnover. Three of the show's repertory performers (Bryan Callen, Orlando Jones and Artie Lange) left the cast. As a result, in 1997, casting executives at FOX had to cast replacements for the show. Sasso (along with Aries Spears) was selected to join the "MADtv" third season cast as a repertory performer.
Sasso is known for quirky characters such as Eracist member Hugh, pop singer Michael McCloud, accident prone handiman Paul Timberman, "Talkin' American" host Rui Peranio, Mexican luchador Señor Bag of Crap, and Will on "Will's Little Sister".
Sasso also does many celebrity impersonations, including impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal, Bill Clinton, Drew Carey, Fred Durst, George W. Bush, James Gandolfini, James Lipton, Jesse Ventura, Kenny Rogers, Lance Bass, Louie Anderson, Randy Newman, Richard Simmons, Robert De Niro, The Rock, William Frawley and William Shatner.
In 2002, Sasso left "MADtv" to focus on new projects.
Characters
* Big John
* Big Roy Rasmussen/Lt. Tiny Malone ("Rocket Revengers")
* Dixon
* Gunter ("Hoppy Potty")
* John Henry Michelle Carter/Chase ("Pretty White Kids with Problems")
* Honey Dipper Dan
* Hugh ("The Eracists")
* Michael McCloud ("Behind the Music")
* Mr. Henderson ("The Brightlings")
* Paulie (Paulie's Furniture)
* Paul Shondrag
* Paul Timberman ("Timberman's Workshop")
* Pollo Loco ("Buenos Dias, San Diego")
* Professor Gigglepepper
* Rui Peranio ("Talkin' American")
* Señor Bag of Crap ("Mexican Wrestling Federation")
* Sheriff ("The Son of Dolemite")
* Tammany
* Will ("Will's Little Sister")
Impressions
* Alan Hale Jr.
* Alfred E. Neuman
* Anthony Hopkins
* Arnold Schwarzenegger
* Art Linkletter
* Bert Lahr
* Bill Clinton
* Billy Talent
* Bruce Vilanch
* Bruce Willis
* Carroll O'Connor
* Chris Farley
* David Crosby
* Dennis Franz
* Drew Carey
* Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
* Elton John
* Elvis Presley
* Fred Durst
* George Lucas
* George W. Bush
* Hal Smith
* Henry Winkler
* James Gandolfini (as Tony Soprano)
* James Lipton
* Jerry Falwell
* Jesse Ventura
* John Spencer
* Kenny Rogers
* Lance Bass
* Larry Flynt
* Liza Minnelli
* Louie Anderson
* Luciano Pavarotti
* Mark McGrath
* Marlon Brando
* Michael Caine
* Michael Skupin
* Mike Ditka
* Pat Summerall
* Paul Shaffer
* Randy Newman
* Richard Deacon
* Richard Simmons
* Robert De Niro
* Sammo Hung
* Steven Seagal
* Scott Stapp
* Stone Cold Steve Austin
* Tom Ridge
* Wayne Newton
* William Frawley
* William Regal
* William Shatner
* Zac Hanson
Professional wrestling
Sasso is a professional wrestling fan, and has made appearances with multiple American pro wrestling promotions.
Sasso engaged in a worked shoot angle with former world champion wrestler (and fellow Canadian) Bret Hart, which began on February 6, 1999 during Hart's second guest appearance on "MADtv". In a sketch lampooning the election of Jesse Ventura to gubernatorial office, Hart "broke character" and attacked the cast members for making light of wrestling, apparently injuring Sasso. He then appeared in a later episode at the curtain call during the ending credits and again attacked Sasso in an "unscripted" assault. Sasso then appeared at ringside during the February 8, 1999 episode of "WCW Monday Nitro", where Hart again attacked him. Sasso retaliated by interfering in Hart's match against Roddy Piper, causing him to lose the match. This led to a grudge match on the February 15, 1999 episode of "Nitro", where Sasso appeared with castmate Debra Wilson, who turned on Sasso, making it a one-sided match.
Sasso's impersonation of Stone Cold Steve Austin impressed the WWF so much that they hired him to be part of the February 7, 2002 episode of "WWF SmackDown!", appearing alongside Chris Jericho and Austin himself. Sasso also appeared in the audience at WrestleMania X8, and can clearly be seen in the front row during the match between Ric Flair and the Undertaker.
Recent years
Since leaving "MADtv", Sasso's television appearances have included the recurring role as "Carl Monari" on the ABC sitcom "Less Than Perfect", as well as a role in the Canadian original series "Robson Arms". Sasso also played the role of Fortunio Balducci in the Richard Kelly film "Southland Tales".
Sasso also appears in the music video for Sum 41 song "Still Waiting" as the manager for the band.
Sasso hosted the 2006 Canadian Comedy Awards in London, Ontario as well as the festival's "Sketch & Improv Showcases". Additionally, Sasso was a host at the 2005-2006 NHL award ceremony. Sasso appeared on the "" episode "The Chick Chop Flick Shop".
Television appearances
*"Robson Arms" (2008) as Bark [cite web |url=http://www.robsonarms.com/episode_guide_302.php|title=Robson Arms - Season 3 |accessdate=2008-07-23]
*"Entourage" (2007) as Jay Lester
*"'Til Death" (2006-) as Russ
*"Less Than Perfect" (2003 - 2006) as Carl Monari
*"The Western Alienation Comedy Hour" (2003) as Host - Himself
*"WWF Smackdown!" (2002) impersonating Stone Cold
*"Latin Grammy Awards" (2002) as Presenter - Himself
*"Family Guy" (2000) as Randy Newman (Credited as "William")
*"WCW Monday Night Nitro" (1999) as himself
*"MADtv" (1997 - 2002) as Various Characters
*"Dad's Week Off" (1997) as Ivan "Boom Boom" Krutovski
*"Annie O" (1996) as Awesome Heckler
*"Susie Q" (1996) as Police Officer
*"Doctor Who" (1996) as Pete
*"Heck's Way Home" (1996) as Mover#1
*"Sliders" (1995-96) as Gomez Calhoun
*"Madison" (1994-1997) Derek Wakaluk
*"The X-Files" episode in the seventh season
* "The Odeyssey" (1994) Season 2
Filmography
* College Road Trip (2008) as Deputy O'Malley
* "Southland Tales" (2007) as Fortunio Balducci
* "Dark Ride (film)" (2006) as Hospital Aide
* "" (2005) as voice of Randy Newman/James Lipton
* "The Hot Chick" (2003) as Mr. Garbajian (deleted scenes)
* "A Mighty Wind" (2003) as Phil
* "Still Waiting music video" (2002) as Record Company Executive
* "Dawg" (2002, aka "Bad Boy") as Willie Smits
* "Best in Show" (2000) as Dale
* "Cheerleader Camp" (1999) as Doodlebug Figglesworth
* "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999) as Hank Vilmes
* "Brown's Requiem" (1998) as "Fat Dog" Baker
* "The Sixth Man" (1997) as Scrubby D
* "Beverly Hills Ninja" (1997) (uncredited) as Chet Walters
* "" (1996) as Pizza Delivery Guy
* "Happy Gilmore" (1996) as Mover # 1
* "Malicious" (1995) as Guy
* "Ski School II" (1995) as Tomcat Collins
* "Magic in the Water" (1995) as Shy Young Orderly
* "Ernest Goes to School" (1994) as Russell
References
External links
* [http://www.hamfatter.com Official site]
*imdb name|id=0766005|name=Will Sasso
* [http://tomgreen.com/ondemand/player.php?video=759 Will Sasso on Tom Green Live ]
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