His character on "NewsRadio" was originally named Ted Garelli, but the cast and crew thought it easier to dub him "Joe". See also Romano, Ray.
His half-brother is actor Bryan Callen, they share the same father.
Commentator for Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Was a popular stand-up comedian before he got into acting and television.
Was the Massachusetts Full Contact Tae Kwon Do champion four consecutive times.
At the age of 19, he won the US Open Tae Kwon Do Championship and, as the lightweight champ, went on beat both the middle and heavy weight title holders to take home the Grand Championship.
Joe Rogan Detailed Biography
Television viewers mostly know Rogan from his starring role as of Joe Garelli, the resident electrician at WNYX radio, on the comedy series NewsRadio (1995-99), as well as his brief appearance on the series Hardball.
Rogan's television appearances for standup include Caroline's Comedy Hour, MTV's Half-Hour Comedy Hour, and Comedy from the Danger Zone, just to name a few. Rogan recorded some of his standup comedy performances on his debut comedy album, I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday, for Warner Bros. Records.
Performing standup comedy in clubs across the United States has helped Rogan appreciate the steady work schedule of a television series that tapes in one city. Standup comedy is the best job in the world, he says. I can speak my mind, let off steam and get paid for it, but working on a series allows me a different kind of creativity, and it's a chance to work with a very talented group of people.
Rogan was born in Newark, New Jersey, raised in Boston, and now lives in Los Angeles. In his spare time, Rogan enjoys playing pool and honing his standup act at various comedy clubs. In addition, he is an avid martial-arts enthusiast and holds a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do. He was a four-time Massachusetts state champion, and was U.S. Open Lightweight Champion and Grand Champion in all weight classes in 1987.
