Frank Caliendo

Early life and education

Caliendo was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 19, 1974, and grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he attended Waukesha South High School. He is of Italian ancestry. Before graduating from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Caliendo began performing stand-up comedy at local night clubs and comedy clubs, eventually taking a job as a master of ceremonies at a local comedy club. Within a few years, he was active on the college circuit. Between 2000 and 2001, Caliendo made his television debut on sketch comedy series Hype, later gaining exposure on the comedy series MADtv.

Career

Caliendo has performed stand-up on Premium Blend, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, The View, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties in 2004.

His John Madden impression has appeared on Fox NFL Sunday, The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Mohr Sports. Caliendo has also appeared on Comedy Central's Comedy Central Presents, as well as the radio shows The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show, Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show, The Dan Le Batard Show, The Junkies, Bob & Sheri, The Bob & Tom Show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Opie and Anthony, The Don and Mike Show, Rise Guys, Bubba the Love Sponge, The John Boy and Billy Big Show, The Howard Stern Show, Mike and the Mad Dog, Elliot in the Morning, The Sports Inferno, The Rick and Bubba Show, The Roe Conn Show, The 105.7 WAPL Rick and Len Show, Preston and Steve, Bob and Brian, The Glenn Beck Program, Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD in Phoenix, and Lamont & Tonelli on 107.7 The Bone in San Francisco. From 2001 to 2004, he also made appearances on the KQ Morning Show's annual "Live from Las Vegas" simulcast, appearing on the panel throughout the show and reprising a few bits from his stand up act.

Fox NFL Sunday

On November 5, 2000, Caliendo appeared on Fox NFL Sunday. He returned again the same season on January 7 during the playoffs.

In 2001 and 2002, Caliendo returned as a semi-regular guest on Fox NFL Sunday.

In 2003, Jimmy Kimmel left the show, and Caliendo was named as his replacement. He gives his predictions for the day's NFL games.

On August 2, 2012, Caliendo announced he would not be on Fox NFL Sunday for the 2012 season, and was replaced by Rob Riggle.

MADtv

Caliendo officially joined the cast of MADtv in 2001 as a repertory performer, for the seventh season. In 2002, Caliendo replaced Will Sasso as the impersonator of George W. Bush. Caliendo also did the announcing for the best of scenes on the MADtv season 1 DVD.

In August 2006, Caliendo announced he would not return to MADtv for its 2006–2007 season.

The Comebacks

Caliendo appeared in the 2007 film The Comebacks as "Chip Imitation" who impersonates John Madden and Al Michaels in the championship game.

Radio-Television Correspondents Dinner

Caliendo’s impression of President George W. Bush earned him an invitation to perform during the 2006 annual Radio-Television Correspondents Dinner.

Frank TV

Caliendo starred on Frank TV, his own sketch show on the TBS that began airing in November 2007. Caliendo was its host and performed in sketches impersonating various celebrities.

In early 2008, TBS announced that they ordered eight more episodes, which ran later that year. The show ended after the fifteenth episode, which aired on December 23, 2008.

The Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year 2008

During The Comedy Festival Caliendo hosted a special called The Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year 2008 where, from Caesars Palace, Caliendo introduced the top ten list for funniest films of 2008 based on an Internet poll.

Discography