When you think about the loud, filter-free, and undeniably loyal wedding planner from Sex and the City, one name immediately comes to mind. It isn't just a character; it's a force of nature. Mario Cantone is the actor who played Anthony Marentino, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping into those designer loafers.
He didn't just play the role. He owned it.
From the moment he appeared in season three to "help" Charlotte York plan her first wedding to Trey MacDougal, Anthony became a fan favorite. Why? Because he was the only person brave enough—or maybe just blunt enough—to tell the main characters exactly what he thought. He brought a specific kind of high-octane energy that the show desperately needed.
The Casting Magic of Mario Cantone
Mario Cantone wasn't a newcomer when he joined the HBO hit. He was already a seasoned stand-up comedian and a Broadway veteran. This is vital to understanding why Anthony Marentino worked so well. Most actors might have played Anthony as a caricature, but Cantone’s background in theater gave the character a layer of theatricality that felt authentic rather than forced.
He has this incredible ability to transition from a screaming match to a moment of genuine, quiet support. You’ve probably seen him on stage in shows like The Violet Hour or his own one-man show, Laugh Whore. That stage presence translates directly to the screen. When Anthony walks into a room, the air pressure changes.
Interestingly, Cantone’s involvement with the franchise has spanned decades. He didn't just do a few episodes. He stayed for the movies. He returned for the revival, And Just Like That.... It’s a rare level of longevity in a business where supporting characters are often swapped out or written off without a second thought.
Why the Character Resonated
Anthony Marentino was more than just "the gay best friend." In the early 2000s, TV was full of tropes, but Anthony broke some of those molds by being unapologetically abrasive. He wasn't there to serve the plot; he was there to criticize it.
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Think back to the "ugly sex" conversation with Charlotte.
Most characters would have offered a platitude. Anthony? He told her to get over it and enjoy the ride. It was refreshing. Cantone’s delivery—fast-paced, rhythmic, and usually at a high volume—made these lines legendary. He turned insults into an art form.
The Evolution: From Wedding Planner to Husband
The arc of Anthony Marentino is one of the more surprising ones in the Sex and the City universe. For years, he and Stanford Blatch (played by the late Willie Garson) were rivals. They couldn't stand each other. Anthony thought Stanford was "frumpy," and Stanford thought Anthony was "too much."
Then came the second movie.
The wedding scene in Sex and the City 2 is burned into the brains of fans everywhere. Liza Minnelli performing "Single Ladies" while Anthony and Stanford finally tied the knot was peak camp. While some critics felt the pairing was a bit too convenient—the only two recurring gay characters marrying each other—the chemistry between Cantone and Garson made it work. They were real-life friends, and that warmth bled through the screen, even when they were bickering.
The Tragedy and Transition in "And Just Like That..."
The revival brought a new set of challenges for Mario Cantone. With the passing of Willie Garson during the filming of the first season, the writers had to pivot. The way they handled Stanford’s departure—having him leave for Japan to become a monk—was polarizing for fans, but it left Anthony in a new position: single and navigating a very different New York.
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In And Just Like That..., we see a slightly softer side of Anthony. He’s still loud. He’s still running "Hot Fellas" (his bread delivery business featuring attractive men). But there’s a vulnerability there. Watching him navigate the loss of his partner while trying to maintain his tough exterior gave Cantone some of his best acting material in years.
He isn't just the comic relief anymore. He's a pillar of the show’s history.
Mario Cantone Beyond Anthony
If you only know him from this one role, you’re missing out. Cantone is a brilliant impressionist. His bits on Judy Garland, Bruce Springsteen, and Liza Minnelli are legendary in the comedy world. He’s the kind of performer who can keep an audience captivated with nothing but a microphone and his own manic energy.
He’s also been a frequent guest on talk shows like The View, where his quick wit makes him a natural fit for live TV. He has a way of cutting through the noise that feels incredibly modern, even though he’s been in the industry for forty years.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Role
There’s a common misconception that Anthony was based on a specific real-life person. While the show’s creator, Darren Star, and the writers pulled from many real New York personalities, Anthony is largely a creation of the writers' room amplified by Mario’s specific brand of humor.
Another thing? People often forget how much of a "guy's guy" Anthony actually was in his own way. Despite the high-fashion world he inhabited, he had a bluntness and a no-nonsense attitude that contrasted sharply with the more "polished" lifestyle of the four main women.
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Why Mario Cantone Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of "prestige TV" where everything is dark and gritty. Anthony Marentino represents a time when TV was allowed to be fabulous, loud, and slightly ridiculous. But he also represents consistency. In a world where reboots often fail because they lose the "soul" of the original, Mario Cantone provides that bridge to the past.
He reminds us why we fell in love with this version of New York in the first place.
It’s about the sharp edges. It’s about the friends who tell you the truth even when it hurts. It’s about the person who looks at your wedding dress and tells you it's "fine" when they know you can do better.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the work of the man who played Anthony Marentino, don't just stop at the HBO Max app.
- Watch "Laugh Whore": This filmed version of his Broadway show is the best way to see the full range of his comedic talent.
- Listen to Interviews: Cantone is famously candid about his time on the set and his friendship with Willie Garson. His appearances on various podcasts offer a lot of "behind the scenes" context that didn't make it into the scripts.
- Track his Broadway History: Keep an eye on New York theater listings. Cantone frequently returns to the stage, which is where his energy truly shines brightest.
Anthony Marentino will always be a staple of pop culture, but Mario Cantone is the engine that made that character run for over two decades. Whether he's screaming about a centerpiece or navigating the complexities of grief, he remains one of the most compelling performers in the franchise.
Next Steps for Your SATC Rewatch
To truly appreciate the nuance Cantone brings, watch season three, episode 15, "Hot Child in the City," and then jump immediately to season two of And Just Like That.... The contrast in his performance—from a cynical wedding planner to a man finding himself again in his 60s—is a masterclass in character development.