Jackie Martling (born February 14, 1948 in Mineola, New York on Long Island) is an American comedian and comic writer whose greatest fame came from being a part of The Howard Stern Show, where he was known as Jackie "The Joke Man". He has also released several CDs of his own material. Martling's most famous act was quitting the Stern Show in March 2001. He left over a financial disagreement with the radio station for which he and Stern worked. Martling himself admitted that the amount of money under dispute was extremely small; despite this, he left the show, refusing to sign a deal.
He has spoken publicly of his unabashed fondness for smoking marijuana and drinking Heineken. As of December 2005, Martling stated he hasn't had a drink in five years, but confessed to smoking marijuana from time to time.
Rumor held that Martling's departure was meant to force the station to cave into his demands, and that Stern would force them to agree, but Stern did not intervene. Ultimately a deadline passed and Martling did not return, so the station stopped negotiating and the show began to look for a replacement. Martling's chair on the show was later filled by Artie Lange. It’s important to note that Lange did not take over his job. Benjy Bronk took over as head writer.
On December 15, 2005, Martling made his first appearance on the Howard Stern Show since leaving in 2001.
Jackie Martling has an engineering degree from Michigan State University and currently resides in New York State in any one of his three houses.
Preceded by: none The Howard Stern Show the Jackie chair 1982-2001 Followed by: Artie Lange
