Comedians
Vinnie Coppola
Born of 100% First Generation Italian blood, Vinnie Coppola wears his heritage like a badge and his unmistakable lineage is sprinkled like seasoning throughout his act even when the topics he is discussing have nothing to do with his nationality.
As far back as Grammar School, Vinnie has been fascinated by stand-up comedians. He has distinct memories of staying up late waiting for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson just to watch the comedian break up an entire studio of people. Once the comic's set was over, Vinnie turned off the TV and went to bed. At the time, he had very little interest in any of the other guests.
This attraction to stand-up would stay with him through High School where he would spend what disposal income he could save for comedy albums rather than for music or drugs. It was also at this age when he discovered live theater and was instantly enamored with the parallels between the two art forms. He became an active member in the Drama Department and was involved in every main stage production that was produced at Nova High the four years he attended the school.
His first taste of Stand-up would come during his Sophomore year at Flagler College (where he would eventually graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Theater Arts), while looking for a quiet spot to relax with some friends, he stumbled upon The Conch House, a local bar that just happened to have a Thursday night amateur comedy showcase. Vinnie's first live stand-up performance was one week later that following Thursday. Before he left the club that evening in January 1989 he decided that stand-up comedy would be a permanent part of his life.
Vinnie's passion for comedy and his theater background served him well because he rose through the ranks rather quickly and was actually booking paid performances in his first year. The only stumbling blocks he encountered that first year honing his craft was when bouncers at clubs would not allow him inside "for not having proper ID" (Vinnie started comedy at the age of 20). Vinnie quickly developed a reputation among the local comics for being extremely original and experimental; he impressed a local show promoter so much he offered Vinnie a spot on The 1992 Merit International Comedy Tour.
Vinnie Coppola currently headlines comedy clubs in most markets across The United States. He was instrumental in bringing a Comedy Festival to Florida in 1995 thru 1997. He is also one of the founding members of The Comedy Zone workshop in Jacksonville, Florida where he helped develop "The Make Me Laugh Mondays" which started as a monthly stand-up comedy showcase, but has become so popular the show is currently a weekly event.
Vinnie Coppola was dubbed "The Hit Man" by his peers his first year in comedy -partly because of his heritage, but also due to his constant threats to kill anybody who stole his material. His style is a smooth blend of observational humor mixed with personal experiences delivered in his unique inimitable way. He chooses to avoid vulgar material or subject matter deemed offensive or controversial to the general public because he learned early, and still believes, that making an entire audience laugh without relying on "blue" material or shocking language is the merit of a true comedy professional.
Vinnie believes that he is unique and stands apart from the majority of most comedians working the road today because of the aforementioned facts and because:
- Vinnie Coppola does not come from a broken home.
- Vinnie's parents and siblings are not dysfunctional.
- Vinnie has never been arrested or been to Jail.
- Vinnie has never abused any substance or spent time in rehab.
- Vinnie's primary reason for touring the country is not to find a date.
- Vinnie does not need the stage as a means of therapy.
- Vinnie never cancels a show.
- Vinnie never needs an advance even though he is always underpaid.
- Vinnie never whines.
Based on the above information, it may seem like Vinnie Coppola is not even qualified for a career in show business. However, persistence being one of his best character traits, he continues unabated.
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