Floyd Vivino embarked on a career in show business as a child performer, delivering piano recitals and dancing alongside Sandra Lee and Jill Davison. He showcased his talents at the 1964 World's Fair in New York and the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. As a high school student, he was mentored by dance and piano instructors to pursue careers in those fields. However, finding it challenging to practice the piano for eight hours a day or work out in ballet class, he decided to drop both in his junior year and instead focused on the drama club.
On stage, he discovered the joy of laughter to be more fulfilling than applause. After completing high school, he directly entered the world of show business, finding employment in various settings, including circuses, nightclubs, amusement parks, and as a comedian in the remaining burlesque shows. His diverse experiences in the performing arts ultimately led him to television, where he launched his own show, "The Uncle Floyd Show," in New Jersey on January 29, 1974.
The show gained a significant following in the New York-New Jersey area during the 1970s and has since become the longest-running television show in New Jersey TV history, now in its 24th year. In February 1987, he started his own Italian radio program, "The Italian-American Serenade," which is broadcast on WRTN-FM out of New Rochelle, NY.
Vivino boasts an extensive private collection of Italian records, comprising over 250,000 items, and has appeared as an actor on various TV shows, including NBC-TV's "Law and Order" (twice),ABC-TV's "Loving," "Bill Boggs' Comedy Tonight" (syndicated),"Nickelodeon's Turkey TV," and "USA TV's Up All Night." He has also filled in for Gilbert Gottfried on "USA TV's Up All Night" and appeared on the Comedy Channel's "Dr. Demento Show."
Between his numerous acting roles in films, including "Good Morning Vietnam," "Crazy People," "Mr. Wonderful," "A Pyromaniac's Love Story," and "The Clowns of Babylon," he has consistently prioritized live performances. He has entertained audiences at various resorts in the Catskill and Pocono mountains, including Caesar's, The Fernwood, Friar Tuck, Roseland Ranch, Green Lake, The Neville, Pine Grove, Kelly's, Villa Baglieri, and Villa Roma.
Floyd has also toured with or opened for numerous notable performers, including Jimmy Roselli, Lou Monte, Melba Moore, Jerry Vale, Pat Cooper, Al Martino, Pete Seegar, Toni Arden, Julius LaRosa, Tom Chapin, Eddie Rabbit, and Jimmy Sturr. Currently residing in New Jersey, he continues to perform live about 300 nights a year in clubs and on stage.
