Tony Barbieri

His work has appeared on television programs such as Crank Yankers and the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. He has gained most fame for his prankish appearances as a character known as "Jake Byrd," in the setting of celebrity court cases.

Barbieri's long-running Monroe series has appeared in more than 100 issues of Mad Magazine. The pieces are illustrated by cartoonist Bill Wray.

On the Jimmy Kimmel Live show, one of the things Barbieri is best known for is insinuating himself into major news stories, as the fictitious character, primarily under the name "Jake Byrd." Segments on the Kimmel program are called : Jake Byrd... Celebrity Avenger! He has successfully fooled major media outlets, including The New York Times, Fox News and Court TV.

One of his most famous stunts was posing as obsessed fan Jake Byrd, at the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson. During the arraignment of Michael Jackson he fooled The New York Times. During jury deliberations, he similarly fooled Court TV, as the same character, with the same back story.[1] The Jake Byrd character ostensibly works in a pet store in Chino, California.

When celebrity Paris Hilton was sent back to jail for driving with a suspended license, on June 8th, 2007, "Jake Byrd" was heard screaming "No, No, No, No!" at the Paris Hilton News conference. Later live camera shots showed him clowning and making faces, while wearing a hat with a sign that said, "Let her live". Early press reports from the scene did not identify him as a performer.

During O.J. Simpson's recent arrest Byrd was standing directly next to O.J.'s lawyer, Yale Galanter, during the news conference following his bond hearing Sept. 19, 2007. During the press conference Byrd often interrupted Galanter with his antics. At one point he attempted to get a High Five from Galanter. At the end of the press conference he approached the microphone and said "Thank you Joe Pesci; no more questions!"