A memoir of , , and the
In The Good Inside the Grief, Jon Imparato takes readers on a sixty-year journey where death is never far away, lurking, chasing, and shocking. Through stories that are outrageous, heartbreaking, and unexpectedly funny, Jon reveals how grief is more than mourning. It’s a wild dance partner, a mischievous teacher, and ultimately, a force that transforms.
From growing up Italian American to finding his voice as a proud gay man, theatre geek, activist, and storyteller, Jon shares how death shaped him in surprising ways—sometimes devastating, sometimes hilarious, but always illuminating. With unflinching honesty and sharp wit, he explores the ways grief weaves forgiveness, resilience, and love into the fabric of our lives.
The Good Inside the Grief is a powerful, tender, and unconventional memoir for anyone who has ever loved, lost, and dared to laugh through the tears.
"Jon is a talented writer who
...You'll want to go around again
once you've finished his
story"
of his life...
- Lily Tomlin, Actress and Comedian
How astounding to read a book that
"Jon Imparato is a brave, talented and expressive writer. The Good Inside the Grief is a poignant, hilarious memoir, filled with: breathless, kaleidoscopic surprises; soul pain braided with limitless love and a unique humor. This is an not to be missed."
-V (Eve Ensler), Author of The Vagina Monologues
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-Cynthia Bond, Author of Ruby (Oprah's Book Club)
"Jon is a new emerging writer with a unique voice. There is humor, pathos and a in his writing. I can't wait to see what other stories he has to tell"
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-Jane Wagner, writer of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Media & Events
DENNIS ANYONE PODCAST INTERVIEW | "YOU GOTTA LET THINGS FALL AWAY
Dennis is joined by Jon to talk about his new memoir in which he writes about everything from his Catholic childhood to his challenging relationship with his father to volunteering to shave AIDS patients at the height of the pandemic.
THE RAINBOW REMIX PODCAST INTERVIEW | JON IMPARATO HELPS US DEAL WITH GRIEF
"The Good Inside The Grief" is out now and given the time of year, it feels very timely. We talk about how grief comes in different forms for different reasons.
PALM SPRINGS COMMUNITY EVENT & READING WITH COREY ROSKIN
Jon Imparato discusses his debut book The Good Inside the Grief in conversation with Corey Roskin. The Good Inside the Grief is a powerful, tender and unconventional memoir that takes readers on a 60 year journey where death is never far away.
HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY EVENT & READING WITH LILY TOMIN, INTRO BY KELLY MANTEL
From growing up Italian American to finding his voice as a proud gay man, theatre geek, activist, and storyteller, Jon shares how death shaped him in surprising ways.
Jon Imparato is an award-winning writer, producer, and activist whose career spans decades in LGBTQ+ advocacy and cultural storytelling. For twenty-five years, Jon has served as the Artistic Director of the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, the largest cultural arts program for the LGBTQ+ community in the world. Producing more than 350 events and collaborating with artists including Liza Minnelli, Laverne Cox, Jane Fonda, Billy Porter, and Shirley MacLaine. Jon played a critical role in the progression of the queer community through the arts. His productions garnered over 199 awards, including multiple Ovation Awards and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre. In 2020, he was honored with the LA Stage Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the arts.
Imparato is carrying his lifelong mission of amplifying underrepresented voices into literature. His memoir, The Good Inside the Grief, explores loss, faith, and resilience, with excerpts already being highlighted in journals including The Wrath-Bearing Tree and Lowestoft Chronicle. His essay The Shaving Cart—a searing yet humorous account of caregiving during the AIDS crisis—earned the prestigious Sherman Hewitt Award for Nonfiction. Through this work, Imparato continues his commitment to telling stories that confront loss, champion identity, and inspire resilience.
About Jon
Imparato’s work extends beyond the stage. For a decade, he worked directly with homeless LGBTQ+ youth at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, combining artistry and advocacy in service of community impact. He is responsible for launching one of the largest LGBTQ+ drop in centers for homeless youth in the world, which remains open today.