Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life

Great stories from one of Cleveland’s funniest people …

Best known as co-host of the long-running “Big Chuck & Lil’ John Show,” John Rinaldi has spent a lifetime making people laugh―including three generations of fans on Cleveland television every Friday night.

He also wrestled bears … crashed a hot-air balloon … fought heavyweight champ Mike Tyson … played the bongos with heavyweight champ Larry Holmes … and was almost killed by Elvis impersonators … all while helping to raise millions of dollars for charity and winning several Emmy awards.

And that was just in his spare time!

This regular guy known to everybody in Northeast Ohio simply as “Lil’ John” made a huge impact on Cleveland’s popular culture over four decades with his jumbo-sized personality and small physical stature.

“Having a sense of humor and not taking myself too seriously have always been important to me―especially at four feet three inches tall,” he says. “I’ve learned to roll with whatever life throws at me and always find a reason to laugh.”

He loves to share that laughter …

“I’ve had enough fun to fill several lifetimes,” he says. "And these stories are some of my all-time favorite moments."