​Personal Managers Hall Of Fame

Celebrating Illustrious Careers in Entertainment, Music, and Talent Management.

Over the last few decades Chris has owned and operated the Atlanta Punchline as well as managed the careers of Earthquake, Cheryl Underwood, the late Capitol Records comedian & recording artist Tim Wilson, and most notably, television star Billy Gardell, who has starred in back to back CBS sitcoms, "Mike & Molly" and "Bob Hearts Abishola."  On a handshake, their working relationship has spanned over 30s years.

Today he still owns and operates Artist Management International and manages comedians who tour across the country. He is truly one of the most respected managers in the business. His love and passion for comedy and his clients has reverberated throughout the industry and helped forge the path for what the comedy business has become today. 

With a career spanning over 40 years Chris DiPetta has been a fixture in the standup comedy scene since its boom in the early 80s. He began his career in 1982 at the world famous Atlanta Punchline, where everyone from Prior to Murry to Burr has graced the stage. Throughout the 1980s DiPetta began booking, opening and operating rooms up and down the east coast and built The Punchline into the largest chain of comedy clubs in the country. This led him to New York, where he spent a year as "Director of Club Operations" for "Catch a Rising Star". 

Seeing an opportunity on the talent side, DiPetta branched out into personal management where he has been hailed as the man with an incredible eye for "soon to be stars." His first two clients were Jeff Foxworthy and Steve Harvey. He helped launch both of their careers into what have been two of the most successful comedians ever. DiPetta was instrumental in Foxworthy's "You Might be a Redneck" which turned into the biggest selling comedy album in history.   

Chris DiPetta

Inducted 2023