James Mastraieni
James Mastraieni is an actor, writer, improviser and owner of the world’s most Italian last name. Raised in Pittsburgh, James majored in theatre at Kent State University before dropping out to pursue his comedic ambitions in Los Angeles. James cut his teeth while touring with the Second City theatricals for two years and is now a regular performer at The Upright Citizen’s Brigade with the Harold team, The Ruckus. James can also be seen every Friday night at iO West with the group, Orpheus Roy, whom The LAist called, an “improv powerhouse”.
James is half of the two man sketch show, James and Drew presents: Drew and James, with his writing partner Drew DiFonzo Marks. James and Drew also have a web series called “2Bed/1Bath” which has been featured on the front page of Funny or Die several times. On top of that he was a longtime contributor to The Second City Network and created another web series, Unemployed.
James studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse where he also taught improv. He is currently a faculty member at iO West and can be seen at his computer “writing” a lot.
Guest Appearances
September 13, 2021
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, comedian James Mastraieni joins us to discuss the epic tale of a Dallas bank robber who fooled authorities throughout the 90’s dressed as a cowboy. Plus, a mother of three sues a woman who used her children as props in a crowdfunding scheme generating hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Research by Kaeyln Brandt
Sources:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-last-ride-of-cowboy-bob/
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/may/06/bank-robber-shot-dead-in-texas/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53001390/peggy-jo-tallas
April 22, 2020
Please enjoy this compilation of some of the best scenes from 2019! These performances feature James Adomian, Horatio Sanz, Jessica McKenna, Jon Gabrus, Joel Spence, Alex Fernie, Sean Conroy, Dhruv Uday Singh, James Mastraieni, Matt Newell, John Gemberling, Andy Daly, Don Fanelli, Laura Willcox, Will Hines, Lennon Parham, Katie Dippold, and Dan Lippert. Let these humons know you love them on improv4humans!
November 18, 2019
We back at it, Con-gregation! This is Scam Goddess, the #1 pod dedicated to all things fraud! This week Laci kicks back with comedian, writer, and podcaster James Mastraieni (Too Effin’ High, Florida Girls) to talk about the curious case of the Instagram marijuana fraudster who dupes would be customers into buying weed that will never appear.
Research Assistant: Sharilyn Vera
Sources:
https://help.instagram.com/789164081427334?helpref=related
https://www.reddit.com/r/trees/comments/1ygw9k/a_warning_to_those_thinking_of_buying_trees/
https://hightimes.com/news/weed-scams-trending-instagram-people-falling-for-them/
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/11/us/cannabis-planted-vermont-statehouse-trnd/index.html
This episode is brought to you by Atlas Coffee Club (www.atlascoffeeclub.com/scam).
April 10, 2019
Sean Conroy, Dhruv Uday Singh, James Mastraieni, and Matt Newell join Matt Besser for scenes about cool improvising nicknames, the Pope’s most attractive ring, and a pioneer in dildo doctoring. Later, they visit the first ever roadkill-to-table restaurant, and 911 severs ties with a prominent superhero.
September 23, 2016
Welcome back to The Acapodcast with your hosts Mike Mazlowski (Ryan Meharry), Sketch Pazinski (Matt Newell), Dan “The Tuba” Kozlowski (James Mastraieni), and Sherman Munster (Lauren Lapkus) aka The Treble Cleft Palates! Mike, Sketch, Dan, and Sherman are all roommates with the dream of their acapella group hitting it big. They’ll all share what steps they took this week to get their name out there and give it all they got as they practice some solo acapella songs. Later, Traci Reardon stops by to offer acapella advice to her Twitter followers in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”
This episode is brought to you by BioClarity, Modcloth, and Smile Direct Club.
February 26, 2016
Recorded live from Joshua Tree is the 500th episode of Vision Quest: The Podcast with your hosts Chakie (Drew DiFonzo Marks) and The Sound of Leaves Rustling (James Mastraieni)! They’ll guide their guest on a vision quest to get better acquainted with themselves with the help of hallucinogenic drugs. This week they are joined by Emma Dottie, a mother trying to overcome the death of her son. Join them as they take a journey into the wormhole of Emma’s past as they take Ayahuasca. Later, Traci Reardon arrives to help her Twitter followers with advice on bad trips, poppers, and shrooms in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”