Dialect Bio
Born and raised in Chicago, Tony received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Theatre from Chicago’s Roosevelt University, studying under Chicago’s premiere dialect coach Belinda Bremmer.
His post-graduate training includes an extensive knowledge and practice of the Middle Eastern, Asian, Russian, French, German, Spanish and Yiddish accents as well as the English dialects of Cockney, Standard British, Scottish, Irish, New York, American East Coast, Chicago, Midwest, and Southern.
Tony is an alumnus from the world-famous The Second City theatre where for two years he performed a variety of these accents and dialects in his performances. These dialects and accents have served him well, as he is an accomplished voice over actor who can be heard in a variety of animated TV series, features and video games.
Comedy Bio
Tony studied comedy at Chicago's premiere improvisation school, The Player's Workshop of the Second City which launched the careers of Bill Murray, Dan Castellaneta and dozens of SNL and Second City comics. Tony then went on to study at The Second City Training Center where he shared the stage with Steve Carell and others.
Like many Chicagoans, Tony performed with a variety of comedy troupes but success came calling as he was cast in the Second City Touring Company in Toronto for 1991 and 1992. There he was "A standout for his physical humor", according to the Edmonton Journal.
Tony eventually taught and directed at his alma mater, The Player's Workshop, directing a number of hit comedy revues. He also taught in comedy in Meaford, Ontario at The Drama Workshop for 6 summers and at a number of schools in Vancouver since arriving in 1998.
“When people find out that I teach comedy, they’ll often say, “Comedy can’t be taught, either you have it or you don’t”. While it seems that way, I have been teaching comedy since 1989 and I can tell you first-hand that some of the most “un-funny” people I’ve met have learned the skills and have become so comfortable and funny that you wouldn’t believe it. Job #1 is convincing the mind that you ARE naturally funny...you just need to indulge yourself without hesitation...then the rest falls into place!”