Frank Caliendo

Frank Caliendo built a reputation as an impressionist whose work earned favor from David Letterman, Bob & Tom, and numerous other television hosts, though John Madden never joined that group. Born in Chicago, IL, and raised in Waukesha, WI, he worked the comedy-club circuit through the end of the 1990s. In 2000 he joined the cast of the WB sketch-comedy series Hype; after its cancellation the following year he moved with fellow performer Daniele Gaither to Fox’s MADtv. There his portrayals of George W. Bush and John Madden injected fresh energy into the program. The Madden impression in particular drew the notice of late-night host David Letterman, who booked Caliendo for his first appearance in 2002—the same year the comedian issued his debut album, Make the Voices Stop. That initial Letterman spot began a recurring series of visits, yet radio outlets proved even more demanding: Bob & Tom, Opie & Anthony, Howard Stern, and additional morning hosts regularly featured the impressionist. Two collections drawn from those broadcasts, issued as Frank on the Radio volumes, appeared in 2003, the year Caliendo also succeeded Jimmy Kimmel as host of Fox’s NFL Sunday. He departed MADtv in 2007 to front his own TBS sketch series, Frank TV. The cable network further spotlighted him that year with the special All Over the Place, which reached DVD and CD in 2008 via the Warner Bros. label.