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Bella Vista’s Medeiros, 62, began his career in advertising before selling his jokes for a few bucks. He later went on to write for some of comedy’s biggest names.
The then-Glenside resident took a comedy-writing course and sold his “homework” for $2 to $10 each. After a suggestion from fellow South Philly native Gene Perret prompted the native of Sixth and South streets to join a Los Angeles-based aspiring comedy writers group, he sent some material to Jay Leno while he was in Valley Forge for a show.
The comedian soon offered him a job, as did Bob Hope. Upon Johnny Carson retiring, Medeiros moved out to L.A. to work for Leno, eventually becoming his head writer until the show ended in 2009. He briefly worked on “The Jay Leno Show” before turning his attention to Midair Rose Productions Inc., a company he formed in 1999. His latest work, “The Missing Piece: The Truth About the Man Who Stole the Mona Lisa,” has won three awards at various film festivals.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
The South Philadelphia Walk of Fame 2013 inductees
/ Marian Anderson / Paul Arizin / Frankie Avalon / Joey Bishop / John Chaney /
/ James Darren / Angelo Dundee / Fabian / Larry Fine / Eddie Fisher /
/ Kenny Gamble / Frank Gasparro / Joey Giardello / Stephen Girard / Sherman Hemsley /
/ Irvin Kershner / Jack Klugman / Eddie Lang / Mario Lanza / Rob McElhenney /
/ Joe Medeiros / Earl "The Pearl" Monroe / Nathan Morris / Michelle Nader / Gene Perret /
/ Frank Rizzo / Bobby Rydell / Lisa Scottoline / Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter / Anna Verna /
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