Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty
Joe Gattois leavingImpractical Jokers.
“Sorry in advance for the long and more-serious-than-usual note below, I just wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be involved withImpractical Jokers,” Gatto wrote alongside a black and white image of himself.
“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. However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away,” he continued.
Gatto then noted that he and his wife, Bessy Gatto, “decided to amicably part ways” following their 2013 marriage. “So now I need to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids,” he shared.
Continuing his candid message, Gatto then mentioned the other members of his comedy group —James “Murr” Murray,Brian “Q” Quinn, andSal Vulcano.
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“Outside of my family, my relationships with Murr, Q and Sal have been the most important in my life,” he wrote. “I know they will continue to make the world laugh.”
Gatto also singled out “the hard work of the talented crew members who work behind the scenes.” He added: “I am very thankful to have worked with each and every one of them.”
Concluding his post, Gatto thanked fans for their support over the years. “As I work through the challenges I am facing, I hope to and am excited to create new ways to entertain you,” he said.
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In astatementthat was shared on Quinn’s Instagram page, the remaining three stars promised to “get back to making a new chapter ofImpractical Jokersin January.”
“After all these years together, we never imagined makingImpractical Jokerswithout Joe,” the trio wrote. “While we are saddened to see him go, we [can’t wait] to keep making people laugh, keep our relationship with theImpractical Jokersfans going, and keep working with the members of our team that we consider family.”
source: people.com
