John Diresta
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Among the many who have joined the ranks of stand-up comics turned sitcom stars, John DiResta is unique case. The New York native joined the transit police force at age 21 and spent the next decade chasing fare beaters and searching for homeless people who wanted shelter. With the encouragement of a high school buddy, DiResta began honing a comedy routine that he began to perform in venues like "a basement in City Island when Whitey was promoted to captain" to "a party like a wedding in Edison when Ralph Palucci paid off his Pepsi route," Eventually, he began to land gigs in more established clubs which in turn led to an engagement Off-Broadway in "Beat: A Subway Cop's Comedy" (1996-97). Critics were impressed with DiResta, noting similarities to a young Jackie Gleason. With the success of the Off-Broadway show, the TV networks came dangling offers of sitcoms. Eventually, DiResta signed a one-year agreement with ABC and a pilot was developed but went unscheduled. When ABC's option expired, Paramount and its fledgling UPN approached the cop-turned-comic, resulting in "DiResta," a blue-collar family sitcom which premiered in the fall of 1998.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1991
Assigned to the homeless outreach unit
1992
At suggestion of friend, began developing a comedy act
1997
Created and starred in unsold sitcom pilot for ABC
1999
Film acting debut as a cop in Sidney Lumet's remake of "Gloria"
1999
Played a policeman in "Mickey Blue Eyes"
2000
Acted in "Miss Congeniality"
2001
Appeared in "15 Minutes"
Family
Companions
