punditWeb

Behind Reality TV

Impractical Jokers: James “Murr” Murray

James Murr Murray Impractical Jokers

Impractical Jokers James Murray moved from television executive to front of the camera when the show was greenlit, as Murr was previously the Development VP of NorthSouth Productions.

Impractical Jokers first nine seasons were anchored by the chemistry of the show’s co-hosts and real-life friends.

Each member of the formation is believed to bring a certain synergy to the group, which makes their contribution different from the other three co-hosts.

James “Murr” Murray is described as the “ass” of the group on multiple episodes of the show’s nine-season run.

But who Murr is, besides being the one the four original members of The Tenderloins and now, most famously known as one of the originators and hosts of Impractical Jokers, is shared below.

What is Impractical Jokers?

Impractical Jokers first premiered in April 2011 on truTV. The candid camera and prank reality-format show has since become one of the channel’s flagship shows following its continued growing success. It is set to premiere its tenth season in April 2022.

The premise of the show is, “Comedians Joe Gatto, James ‘Murr’ Murray, Brian ‘Q’ Quinn, and Sal Vulcano are real-life best friends who love challenging each other to the most outrageous dares and stunts ever caught on hidden camera.”

The upcoming season will be quite different, since Joe Gatto will be replaced with celebrity guest hosts following his exit from the show in December 2021.

Impractical Jokers: James “Murr” Murray

Impractical Jokers James “Murr” Murray is the second oldest of the hosts of Impractical Jokers, born on 1 May 1976. Murr was born in Staten Island, New York, and is believed to have an Irish and Italian heritage.

Further details on his early life are kept private, but his passion for film and television was discovered early as his first role was a cameo on Private Parts, and as Judas in Damned!.

Moreover, as a teenager attending the private Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island, Murr joined an improv class where he met teenagers, Joe Gatto, Brian ‘Q’ Quinn, and Sal Vulcano.

After high school, the four would go on to create a comedy troupe called The Tenderloins. But before finding success as a part of the troupe, Murr worked other jobs.

James Murray before Impractical Jokers’ success

Following his high school graduation, Murr went on to attend Georgetown University in Washington D.C. During this time, he also worked at a golf course where he was believed to have been selling balls.

However, seemingly during his tertiary studies, he focused on getting his degree. Murr returned to comedy in 1999 to formalise The Tenderloins, as they began to travel as a live act, and subsequently posting their videos on YouTube.

During this time, Murr initially worked as a producer at NorthSouth Productions, later becoming the Vice President of Development. At this stage, The Tenderloins proposed Impractical Jokers to truTV.

James “Murr” Murray’s relationship with NorthSouth Productions

For those who do not take the time to read the credits on Impractical Jokers, they may not know that the show is produced by NorthSouth Productions.

This is the same company where Murr first got his behind-the-scenes experience after graduating. During the same time, he was also part of the comedy troupe, The Tenderloins.

Around this time, Murr was also living with Joe Gatto in a New York apartment, where The Tenderloins would conceptualise and create Impractical Jokers, which, with the support of the production company, they were able to shoot the series until it was picked up by truTV in 2011.

What is Murr doing now?

James Murray is now the only one of the Impractical Jokers that is married, as Joe Gatto announced his separation in December 2021.

Murr married Melyssa Davies, now Murray, in September 2020. Moreover, in 2022, Murr released his second series of children’s books called Area 51 Interns, for which he is currently on a live book tour.

Additionally, besides being on Impractical Jokers, Murr is also a permanent feature on 2019’s The Misery Index.

Currently, he is preparing for his live stand-up comedy show Murr Live, set to commence from Saturday, 26 March 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Final thoughts

Impractical Jokers’ James “Murr” Murray is one of the four comedians and real-life friends who created the hit, candid camera and prank reality show, Impractical Jokers, that arguably has the most extensive film and television experience.

This is since he wrote and directed his first film, Damned! in 1998, where he played the character of Judas.

Moreover, following his graduation from university, he went on to work for the production house behind Impractical Jokers, NorthSouth Production.

First starting out as a producer, he moved up the ranks eventually becoming the Vice President of Development, before Impractical Jokers was commissioned by truTV.