Making an Impression

Eddie Gambino was always the class clown in school, doing impressions and, as he said, getting in “more trouble than you could imagine.”

So making people laugh for a living just seemed like a natural fit for the Mountainside resident who takes the microphone this weekend at .

In fact, his venture into comedy came about as an extension of his goofing around. A friend of his had noticed that Gambino was adept at impressions, specifically the Peter Falk character, Columbo.

“So he booked me for this place in Scotch Plains, this Italian place,” he said. “The funny thing was he told the newspaper that Columbo was going to be at this place. I went on the stage and actually did well with a whole bunch of impressions.”

After a successful first night, Gambino decided to make a career out of it, one that has lasted nearly 19 years and allowed to open for comedians Chris Rock and Gilbert Gottfried and musical acts, such as The Coasters and Natalie Cole.

In addition to Columbo—a staple of his act to this day—he also does a wide array of generation-spanning impressions, including Howard Cossell, Dean Martin and Louis Armstrong.

Armed with his impressions, he has been featured on multiple radio shows, including “Opie & Anthony,” “Imus in The Morning,” “The Howard Stern Show” and “Ross and Wilson” on WABC-AM.

Although his impressions make up a bulk of his act, he said his set features a wide variety, including other characters, some prop work and commentary on topical issues, such as gays serving in the military.

He also recently began doing a bit discussing his idea for a geriatric go-go bar.

“Could you imagine getting a lap dance from a 75-year-old woman?” Gambino said. “I can hear it now, ‘Don’t give me a hickey because the skin on my neck might choke you.’”

Gambino also dabbles in acting, with roles in “A Bronx Tale”—in which he said he was close to getting into a fight with Robert DeNiro—and other movies. He is currently in talks for a role in “Gotti,” a biopic of noted crime boss John Gotti that is set to start filming in June.

Gambino will perform at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Comedy Cove at Scotty’s Steak House. His set will be preceded by comedians Gina Brillon and Matt Jenkins. Tickets are $12. Visit the club’s website for more information.