# Rick Shapiro

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rick_Shapiro
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rick_Shapiro.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Shapiro
> Source revision: 1336866455
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

American comedian and actor (born 1959)

Rick Shapiro Rick Shapiro in the film Timeless Born (1959-04-13) April 13, 1959 (age 67) New Jersey, United States Comedy career Years active early 1980s–present Medium Stand-Up Television Film Writer Genres Improvisational comedy Observational comedy Black comedy Blue comedy Website RickShapiro.tv

**Rick Shapiro** (born April 13, 1959) is a [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles)–based [comedian](/source/Comedian) and [actor](/source/Actor).[1]

## Life and career

Shapiro was born in [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey). Spending his early years in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) and New Jersey, Shapiro started his career in the early 1980s as a comedian at [Catch A Rising Star](/source/Catch_a_Rising_Star_(comedy_clubs)) on Broadway.[2] Besides performing regularly on stage,[2] throughout the 1990s he acted and starred in multiple films by [Louis CK](/source/Louis_CK), including *[Ice Cream](/source/Ice_Cream_(1993_film))* (1993) and *[Tomorrow Night](/source/Tomorrow_Night_(film))* (1998).[3] Additionally, he portrayed the re-occurring character "Angry Poet" in *[Late Night with Conan O'Brien](/source/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien)*.[2] In 1998, Shapiro released his first comedy CD called *Unconditional Love*, which Billboard called "hard-edged and uncompromising".[4]

In the 2000s, Shapiro's career continues in multiple fields. He is performing stand-up comedy nationally and internationally, debuting a one-man show in 2007 in the [Edinburgh Festival](/source/Edinburgh_Festival),[5][6] and touring Australia in 2009.[7] He had his first video game appearance in 2008, portraying the character Mason Waylon on the radio station PLR in *[Grand Theft Auto IV](/source/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV)*, a guest on a talk show who eventually drills holes in the heads of the two other guests.

Shapiro has an active acting career, appearing in numerous film and television productions. In film, his most recent roles are in *[Top Five](/source/Top_Five)* by [Chris Rock](/source/Chris_Rock), portraying T-Rick in the movie *[Project X](/source/Project_X_(2012_film))*, and acting in the German comedy *[Timeless](/source/Timeless_(film))*.[8] His television credits include Jerry in *[Lucky Louie](/source/Lucky_Louie)* by Louis C.K. on [HBO](/source/HBO). Additionally, he appears in a scene originally filmed for the pilot of *[Louie](/source/Louie_(U.S._TV_series))*.[9]

Shapiro's first book *Unfiltered*,[10] containing over 200 previously unreleased writings, was released in 2012 along with his second CD, *Catalyst for Change*.[11]

In 2013, Rick Shapiro was diagnosed with [Parkinson's disease](/source/Parkinson's_disease).[12] As of August 2014, he is practically symptom-free and is productive,[13] and in 2014–15, Shapiro appeared in the role of Marc Maron's eccentric neighbor, Bernie, in the IFC comedy series *Maron*.[14]

## Style

Shapiro is mainly known for his stream-of-consciousness monologues on stage that can run for more than an hour, in which he addresses many topics that are controversial or considered taboo by most comedians.[2] His comedic style has been described as "explosive".[15][16]

## Filmography (excerpt)

- *[Joey](/source/Joey_(1986_film))* (1986) as Larry

- *[True Love](/source/True_Love_(1989_film))* as Kevin

- *[Caesar's Salad](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caesar%27s_Salad_(1990_film)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1990) (short film)[17]

- *[Ice Cream](/source/Ice_Cream_(1993_film))* (1993) as Man's Brother (short film)[18]

- *[Brunch](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brunch_(1995_film)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1995) as Old Woman (short film)[19][20]

- *[Highjacker](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Highjacker_(1998_film)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (1998) as Highjacker (short film)[21]

- *[Tomorrow Night](/source/Tomorrow_Night_(film))* (1998) as Tina

- *[Pootie Tang](/source/Pootie_Tang)* (2001) as Shakey

- *[Lucky Louie](/source/Lucky_Louie)* (2006–2007) as Jerry

- *[Grand Theft Auto IV](/source/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV)* (2008) as [Waylon Mason](/source/Public_Liberty_Radio)

- *[Louie](/source/Louie_(U.S._TV_series))* (2010) uncredited

- *[The League](/source/The_League)* (2011) as Bum

- *[Project X](/source/Project_X_(2012_film))* (2012) as T-Rick

- *[Top Five](/source/Top_Five)* (2014)[22] as Biker AA Guy; Uncredited

- *Maron* (2014–2016) as Bernie

- *[Timeless](/source/Timeless_(film))* (2016) as State's Attorney / Special Agent / Paratrooper / Repairman

- *[Heart, Baby](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heart,_Baby&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2017) as Shaky J

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Cringe Comedians: Rick Shapiro"](http://www.cringehumor.net/index.php?/comedians/rick_shapiro). Cringehumor.net. Retrieved 2011-01-13.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-observer.com_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-observer.com_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-observer.com_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-observer.com_2-3) ["New York Observer: Article about Shapiro"](https://observer.com/2004/05/recovery-rick-restands-up/). 17 May 2004. Retrieved 2014-08-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** See filmography below

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Inc.1998_4-0)** [Unconditional Love*Review*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_DQoEAAAAMBAJ_2). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1998-09-05. pp. [26](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_DQoEAAAAMBAJ_2/page/n132)–. Retrieved 27 February 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Produced by Calvin Wynter at The Green Room.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hall, Julian (2007-08-08). ["A rant to remember"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101027043600/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/comedy-rick-shapiro-the-green-room-edinburgh-460708.html). *Independent*. Archived from [the original](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/comedy-rick-shapiro-the-green-room-edinburgh-460708.html) on October 27, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["List of Australian tour dates from 2009"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090731/http://gaggingforit.comedytragics.com.au/2009/10/rick-shapiros-first-australian-tour/). Archived from [the original](http://gaggingforit.comedytragics.com.au/2009/10/rick-shapiros-first-australian-tour/) on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Official facebook-site of the film "Timeless", with production photos"](https://www.facebook.com/filmTimeless). Retrieved 16 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["LOUIS CK DVD of LOUIE season 1 Extra Scene"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110727003145/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbzQdeUfbs). Louis C.K. Archived from [the original](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbzQdeUfbs) on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2011-06-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Published by Paradisiac Publishing, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0692028285](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0692028285)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Produced by Stand-Up Records

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Laughspin: Article about the diagnosis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083632/http://www.laughspin.com/2013/05/03/comedian-rick-shapiro-diagnosed-with-parkinsons-disease-exclusive/). Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Facebook-Note by Rick Shapiro's wife and manager Tracy DeMarzo"](https://www.facebook.com/notes/tracy-demarzo/parkinsons-disease-depression-and-our-lives/10152430786209902). Retrieved 18 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Rick Shapiro"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788617/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Stuttgarter Zeitung: Article about filming "Timeless", mentioning Shapiro's style"](http://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.filmdreh-in-stuttgart-urlaub-von-der-ehefrau.91997747-cd6d-4ca4-b158-5dba234b4f8c.html). Retrieved 17 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Review about Shpairo's book "unfiltered""](https://www.thespittake.com/2012/04/05/rick-shapiro-unfiltered-paradisiac-publishing/). Retrieved 2014-08-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["IMDB-Page of Caesar's Salad"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2290912/). Retrieved 16 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Official youtube-upload of "Ice Cream" on Louis C.K.'s profile"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8QzcS7g52g). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/w8QzcS7g52g) from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 16 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Official youtube-upload of "Brunch" on Louis C.K.'s profile"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmRXLBuDv8c). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/OmRXLBuDv8c) from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 16 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["According to IMDB, this film was first aired in 1995. In the youtube upload abouve, the copyright reads 1998"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2284836/trivia?item=tr1742172). Retrieved 16 August 2014..

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Official youtube-upload of "Highjacker" on Louis C.K.'s profile"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s7Su3mjjIM). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/9s7Su3mjjIM) from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 16 August 2014. Please note: Although the upload is titled "Hijacker" in the youtube-description, the film is clearly called "Highjacker" in the actual film's opening credits.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [*Finally Famous*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2784678/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) Please note: IMDB refers to the film as "Finally Famous". According to the film's wikipedia-page, its title has officially been changed to "Top Five". In the filmography it is therefore listed as "Top Five"

## External links

- [Official website](http://rickshapiro.tv)

- [Rick Shapiro](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788617/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- ["Recovery Rick Re-Stands Up"](http://www.pocreations.com/shapiro_observer.html) by [Ryan Blitstein](/source/Ryan_Blitstein), *New York Observer,* May 17, 2004.

- [Performance at the UCB Theater, July 3, 2008](http://www.jesterjournal.com/RickShapiro.htm)

v t e Grand Theft Auto by Rockstar Games Main games Grand Theft Auto Grand Theft Auto 2 London 1969 Grand Theft Auto III Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Tommy Vercetti "Hot Coffee" Carl Johnson Soundtracks Grand Theft Auto IV Grand Theft Auto V Grand Theft Auto VI Niko Bellic The Lost and Damned The Ballad of Gay Tony "No Sex for Ben" Development Trevor Philips Music "Old Love / New Love" "Sleepwalking" Online Other games Advance Liberty City Stories Vice City Stories Chinatown Wars The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Other media Grand Theft Childhood Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto The Gamechangers Grand Theft Hamlet People Leslie Benzies Mike Dailly Dan Houser Sam Houser David Jones Lazlow Jones Related Grand Theft Auto clone Grand Theft Auto modding Multi Theft Auto Devin Moore Strickland v. Sony Category

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rick Shapiro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Shapiro) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Shapiro?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.