Giz hails from Long Island City, New York. He was born into an Italian, Jewish and German family ( his inner conflicts are legendary). Growing up he just wasn't normal. In fact he was known to play baseball as a young kid in his backyard, the only problem was that he was alone. He would sing the national anthem, pitch, hit, run, catch the ball and make crowd noises all by himself to the amazement of his uncle. (only bugs bunny did it better)

His two grandfathers were also not wrapped to tight. From the Italian grandfather, Charles, who did such things as making the biggest firecracker ever by filling a garbage can with gunpowder and setting it off making windows in the neighborhood shake for blocks. You could say Charles was into show business by owning a movie house on 9th ave. in N.Y.C. and also a barber shop on 8th Ave the 34 st where on of his clients was Yankee great Joe Dimaggio.

His other grandfather, Jack, used have an assortment of masks and a mannequin that he used to sit with outside and wave her hand at people passing by prompting some to ask "who is that with jack".
His grandmother, Henrietta, played piano as a young girl for her cousin the great comedian and self proclaimed "toastmaster general" Georgie Jessel.

His other grandmother, Mary, was the backbone to the family always giving support she lived till her 90's. Giz's family life was always filled with music and laughter. His mother, mildred, had a great sense of humor. Giz credits her for passing that to him. His father, Frank, once had a audition for the "Tommy Dorsey Orchestra" at Carnegie Hall, for a trumpet player. In fact growing up in L.I.C. he would sit by the window and play as the neighbors would listen. He also plays piano and mandolin.

Growing up all Giz would think about (and we add to this day) is being an entertainer. He says "the happiest i am is on stage making people laugh", "it's the second greatest feeling in the world (a-hem)".

On stage Giz is loud, and sometimes edgy, saying and doing things with a wink and a nod, things that audience are thinking. Off stage his is shy and what he calls a hopeful romantic. He did perform standup for a while until he was told to sit down. He
has appeared on Letterman and Conan Obrien as extras . Also the movie's "Flirting With Disaster" and "Celebrity"...

On stage he was in various plays including the lead in "Don't Drink the Water" and "Cold Shoulder" He co-founded the sketch troupe "c.h.a.o.s." which performed shows for the M.D.A. He performed with " The Grownups Playground" where he and Michele met and also co-founded "Nervous Laughter", "Me,Him,Her & the Other Guy". and now "2 Part Harmony" (the type of show he always wanted to do).