Anthony Barbieri

Anthony J. ("Tony") Barbieri (born August 26, 1963, Framingham, Massachusetts) is an American comedy writer and performer. His work has appeared on television programs such as "Crank Yankers" and the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show. He has gained most fame for his prankish appearances as a character known as "Jake Byrd," in the setting of celebrity court cases.

Career

Writing

Barbieri's long-running "Monroe" series has appeared in more than 100 issues of "Mad Magazine". The pieces are illustrated by cartoonist Bill Wray.

Television Appearances

On the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show, one of the things Barbieri is best known for is insinuating himself into major news stories, as the fictitious character, primarily under the name "Jake Byrd." Segments on the "Kimmel" program are called : "Jake Byrd... Celebrity Avenger!" He has successfully fooled major media outlets, including "The New York Times", Fox News and Court TV.

Jake Byrd

Barbieri is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the character Jake Byrd on the show Jimmy Kimmel Live. Byrd is somewhat slow witted, good natured, and obsessed with celebrities. Comedy routines involving Byrd usually satirize excessive media attention to celebrity spectacles such as the Michael Jackson trial or the arrest of Paris Hilton. Byrd usually attends these events and interacts with and interviews people on the street, although occasionally he inserts himself into live news coverage such as press conferences.

Notable Pranks

Michael Jackson trial

One of his most famous stunts was posing as obsessed fan Jake Byrd, at the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson. During the arraignment of Michael Jackson he fooled "The New York Times". During jury deliberations, he similarly fooled Court TV, as the same character, with the same back story. [http://www.courttv.com/people/hearsay/061005_ctv.html] The Jake Byrd character ostensibly works in a pet store in Chino, California.

Paris Hilton trial

When celebrity Paris Hilton was sent back to jail for driving with a suspended license, on June 8th, 2007, "Jake Byrd" was heard screaming "No, No, No, No!" at the Paris Hilton News conference. Later live camera shots showed him clowning and making faces, while wearing a hat with a sign that said, "Let her live". Early press reports from the scene did not identify him as a performer. [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/06/08/state/n121004D18.DTL] [http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/08/paris.hilton.ap/index.html] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sCbdXNZ5d0] .

Filmography

The following list includes shows or movies in which he is a small, but credited, writer or actor.
* "Windy City Heat" (2003) - (TV movie) - (Writer/Actor)
* "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (2003-) (Talk show on ABC) - (Writer/Actor) - His own pieces, including his well known character Jake Byrd.
* "That '80s Show" (2002-) (TV program) - (Writer)
* "Crank Yankers" (2002) (TV program) (Writer/Voice Actor)
* "That's My Bush!" (2001) (TV program) - (Writer/Actor) - A political comedy spoofing George W. Bush (Appeared in one episode).
* "The Man Show" (1999-2004) (TV program) - (Writer)
* " (2000)" (Video Game) (Voice Actor)
* "Pledge Night" (1988) (movie) - Horror film.

Links

*
* [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/06/08/state/n121004D18.DTL Paris Hilton News conference, with Jake Byrd reference]
* [http://www.sbnp.com/mjacksonupdate/mjphotos/g4_mjphoto2.htm Picture of Jake Byrd appearing in Santa Barbara News-Press]
* [http://www.sbcoast.com/mjacksonupdate/publicopinion/060905tensionhigh.html Santa Barbara News-Press story on the Jake Byrd hoax]
* [http://www.radarmagazine.com/the-wire/2005/06/13/index.php Radar Magazine quoting Jake Byrd]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/01/national/01JACK.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5007&en=43b243a8242b4e92&ex=1398744000&partner=USERLAND New York Times Article mentioning Jake Byrd along with a correction regarding his actual identity]