'Mariann from Brooklyn' on fame, fear, and her love of Howard Stern | Podcast
NEW YORK (WABC) -- For decades, fans of "The Howard Stern Show" have recognized her voice instantly. Loud, loyal, and unmistakably Brooklyn, Mariann Tepedino, better known as "Mariann from Brooklyn," has been a fixture of the show for more than 25 years.
This week, she brings her unforgettable story to "If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza," in a podcast focused on resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to succeed in New York.
Mariann's journey is anything but ordinary. A devoted Stern superfan turned beloved on-air personality, she recently experienced a moment she never imagined, appearing in the new film "Marty Supreme," alongside Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie, directed by Josh Safdie, has already earned Golden Globe recognition and is generating Oscars buzz.
From a Stern Caller to a Movie Set
Safdie, himself a Howard Stern fan, recognized Mariann's iconic voice and asked casting to reach out. At first, she ignored the messages, convinced they couldn't be real. Months later, a direct call from casting changed everything.
Mariann insists she is not an actress and never expected a role. Still, she was invited in and ultimately cast as a woman in a 1950s Brooklyn shoe store, a setting that felt deeply familiar given her upbringing and lifelong connection to the city. What followed was a whirlwind day on set, complete with early call times, hair and makeup, and learning lines on the fly.
She didn't even realize Timothée Chalamet was the actor helping her try on shoes during filming. When she finally did, she laughed it off, saying she spoke to him like a mother, reminding him to take care of himself during the long shoot.
A Hollywood Experience Without the Hollywood Attitude
What surprised Mariann most was how kind and grounded everyone was. She describes Chalamet as thoughtful and curious, Safdie as meticulous but generous, and the entire cast and crew as welcoming. Even Gwyneth Paltrow, she says, was gracious and professional.
The day was not without drama. After hours under bright lights in heavy period wardrobe, Mariann fainted on set. She laughs about it now, proud of the fact that despite everything, she still made it into the final cut of the film.
"I fainted and I'm still in the movie," she says. "So I really made it."
The Howard Stern Connection
Much of Mariann's life story is inseparable from "The Howard Stern Show." She first started calling in during the late 1990s and quickly became part of the show's extended family. Over the years, her loyalty has become legendary. She has paid for Times Square billboards celebrating Stern's contract renewals, sends hundreds of handwritten Christmas cards to fellow fans, and proudly displays memorabilia at home.
Her connection to the show also carried her through tragedy. After losing her sister-in-law in the September 11 attacks, Stern's show became a source of comfort and stability during a period of profound grief. For Mariann, the show was not just entertainment, it was community.
What Making It Really Means
At 67, Mariann says making it has nothing to do with fame. For her, it means family, staying true to yourself, and embracing the voice and personality you were born with, even if the world once told you to quiet down.
In her conversation with Marza, Mariann reflects on raising her children, growing up in Brooklyn, supporting local businesses, and navigating a city that has changed dramatically over the years. Through it all, her authenticity has remained constant.
She is funny, emotional, and deeply rooted in New York, proof that sometimes the most remarkable journeys belong to people who never planned on being famous at all.
Listeners can hear the full conversation on "If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza," available now.
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