When people look back at the golden era of Saturday Night Live, they usually picture Joe Piscopo trading punchlines with Eddie Murphy or channeling Frank Sinatra. Behind the bright lights of 1980s television and his later transition to radio and fitness ventures, Piscopo's personal life often attracted public curiosity. Specifically, public interest frequently turns toward his marriages, family dynamics, and the women who shared parts of his public and private journey.
Piscopo was married twice. His first marriage was to Nancy Jones, a television producer, which lasted through the height of his SNL fame. His second marriage was to Kimberly Driscoll, a relationship that spanned the late 1990s and early 2000s. Examining these relationships provides a clearer picture of the man behind the comedy icons and impressions without relying on tabloid myths.
Nancy Jones: The Early Years and SNL Stardom
Joe Piscopo married Nancy Jones in 1973, well before he became a household name on late-night television. Jones worked as a producer on the game show Wheel of Fortune. During the early years of their marriage, Piscopo worked the New Jersey comedy club circuit, grinding through small gigs and regional stand-up routines.
When Piscopo landed his breakout role on Saturday Night Live in 1980, the couple's dynamic shifted overnight. The grueling production schedule of the NBC sketch comedy show meant long hours, intense writer's rooms, and sudden national fame. Together, they had one child, a son named Joseph Jonathan (Joey) Piscopo, born in 1979.
Despite weathering the initial wave of his career explosion, the marriage ultimately faced strain from the pressures of celebrity life and constant travel. Piscopo and Jones divorced in 1988, after fifteen years of marriage. Following their separation, both maintained a private approach to co-parenting their son, avoiding the messy public feuds common among television stars of that era.
Kimberly Driscoll: The Second Marriage and Family Expansion
In 1997, Piscopo married Kimberly Driscoll. Driscoll had previously worked as a nanny for Piscopo's family during his marriage to Jones. Their wedding marked a new chapter for the comedian as he transitioned away from regular television sketch work into syndicated radio hosting, film voiceover work, and entrepreneurial projects like fitness center ownership.
During their marriage, Piscopo and Driscoll had three children: Alexandra, Michael, and Olivia. For nearly a decade, the family primarily resided in New Jersey, where Piscopo built a quieter domestic life outside of Manhattan's media hub.
The marriage lasted until 2006, when the couple divorced. Like his first divorce, the split was handled relatively quietly, keeping their children out of the harsh glare of tabloid journalism. Driscoll focused on raising their children in New Jersey while Piscopo continued his broadcasting career on stations like AM 970 The Answer in New York.
Children and Family Legacy
Piscopo's family life extends across both marriages, involving four children in total:
- Joey Piscopo: Born in 1979 to Nancy Jones, Joey pursued interests in media and production, occasionally collaborating or appearing alongside his father in public media ventures.
- Alexandra Piscopo: Born in 1999 to Kimberly Driscoll, Alexandra grew up away from heavy Hollywood spotlight pressures.
- Michael Piscopo: Born in late 2004 to Kimberly Driscoll, Michael represents the youngest branch of the family.
- Olivia Piscopo: Another daughter from the marriage with Driscoll, completing the family sibling group.
Balancing a demanding career in entertainment with raising four children across two separate marriages presented distinct hurdles. Piscopo frequently credits his New Jersey roots and strong community ties with keeping his children grounded despite his public profile. You can read more about his career trajectory on the Internet Movie Database.
Common Misconceptions Regarding Piscopo's Marriages
Public figures from the 1980s sketch comedy boom often attract inaccurate internet lore, and Piscopo is no exception. A few common points of confusion surround his personal history:
- The Timeline Mix-up: Some casual pop-culture articles conflate his two marriages, incorrectly assuming Driscoll was married to him during his peak SNL years. In reality, Jones was his spouse during the 1980s, while Driscoll married him nearly a decade after he left the show.
- Tabloid Exaggerations: Because Driscoll started as a family nanny, sensationalized blogs often sensationalize the transition. Biographical archives show that the marriage occurred years after his divorce from Jones was finalized, rather than overlapping with his first marriage.
- Career Retirement: Fans sometimes assume Piscopo completely vanished from public life after his second divorce. In truth, he remained highly active in New Jersey regional politics, community charity work, and daily morning talk radio.
For deeper historical context on the era of late-night television that launched his career, check out the NBC official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Joe Piscopo been married?
Joe Piscopo has been married twice. His first marriage was to Nancy Jones from 1973 to 1988, and his second marriage was to Kimberly Driscoll from 1997 to 2006.
Who is Joe Piscopo's first wife?
His first wife was Nancy Jones, a former producer for the television game show Wheel of Fortune. They shared one son together before divorcing in 1988.
Who is Joe Piscopo's second wife?
His second wife was Kimberly Driscoll. They were married in 1997 and had three children before their marriage ended in divorce in 2006.
How many children does Joe Piscopo have?
Piscopo has four children across his two marriages: Joey, Alexandra, Michael, and Olivia.