A native of Southern California, Gaetano “Guy” Totaro received his Bachelor’s degree in Acting and Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University in 1989. There, he was introduced to the 16th-century Italian physical comedy style, “Commedia dell’arte” which became a major influence on his personal performance style and in turn, his career. Guy continued his acting and Commedia training as an apprentice with the award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe and he performed with the Troupe in almost all 50 United States. Guy developed his Clown skills on the streets of San Francisco and at the world famous Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey’s Clown College, graduating in the class of 1992.
1993 unexpectedly took Guy to Japan to perform in a Circus show at Tokyo’s Korakuen amusement park. It was there where he began creating his now well known “Supa-Gaijin” character. The bubble economy had yet to burst, so it was a fortunate time to be in Japan. Not only where there more opportunities than there were for Clowns in America, the appreciation and respect for the art of Clowning was much, much higher. In total, Guy stayed in Japan for 5 prosperous years during which time he did hundreds of shows all over the country.
In 1998 Guy returned to his home town of Los Angeles and his good luck followed him there. Castings in major TV commercials and bit parts in films and TV enabled him to earn a coveted SAG card and membership in the Screen Actors Guild. Clowning continued to play a major role in Guy’s life and in addition to his solo vaudeville variety comedy show he performed in a Clown themed Shakespearian theatre company. The following year, Guy was recruited to consult, train, and perform with a Commedia dell’arte Troupe at the newly opened Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where he stayed for one year.
Then, in 2005 and almost as suddenly as the first time, Guy found himself back in Tokyo. He established GAETANO Co KK in 2009 as an agency for himself as an entertainer and to support his many other creative endeavors. One such project was Guy’s role as a Creative Consultant for Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. In that capacity, he developed and facilitated the “Magical Moments” employee training program, he created comedic and magical atmospheric content, and he wrote and directed shows at the popular theme park. Guy has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry and despite his high profile roles, including Suntory’s Super Hero / Spokes-Model, “Mr CC Lemon”, Benesse’s “World Wide Kids – Step Up” DVD series Host “Mr Clark”, and the Co-Host of NHK Radio’s “Kiso Eigo 3”, Guy is most proud of his volunteer work.
The 3/11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the North Easter Tohoku region of Japan also dramatically changed the course of Guy’s life. In the aftermath of the disaster, children were especially susceptible to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is commonly known that “laughter is the best medicine” - it boosts the immune system, increases body oxygen levels and releases endorphins and serotonin in the brain. Guy created the “Niko Niko Taishi - Smile Ambassadors” program based on his experience in Hospital Clown Care Units – similar to the film “Patch Adams” staring Robyn Williams. The goal was to provide smiles and love to those directly impacted by the disaster and thereby help minimize the impact of PTSD. Niko Niko Taishi shows and interactive workshops were designed to promote healing by sharing joy, stimulating imagination and building confidence and self-esteem. In the 5 years after 3/11, Guy visited 182 locations and interacted with over 12,000 children as well as with their teachers, care givers and families.
GAETANO Co KK is now operating as a “Social Business” - the model is of a for-profit company that does non-profit activities. Guy is always looking for groups to collaborate with and he hopes to inspire people to help one another while he pursues his dream of, “Changing the world, one smile at a time”.
