Joey Diaz

Joey Diaz
Birth name Jose Antonio Diaz
Born (1963-02-19) February 19, 1963[1]
Havana, Cuba
Medium Stand-up comedy, television, podcast, film
Nationality Cuban-American
Spouse Terrie
Children 2
Notable works and roles My Name is Earl
The Longest Yard
Taxi

Jose Antonio "Joey" "CoCo" Diaz (born February 19, 1963) is a Cuban-American stand up comedian. He is an actor known for his recurring role as Joey on the TV series My Name is Earl, as well as in movies such as The Longest Yard and Taxi.

Early life

José Antonio Diaz grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey. An affluent child, Joey's mother owned/operated a bar and ran a successful numbers operation. Diaz suffered loss early, losing his father at 3 and his mother at age 15, and consequently, was taken in by a series of North Bergen families, including two police officers named Robert Bender and Carmine Balzano. Diaz says a total of 20 Italian and Irish families assisted him, such as local funeral home owner Anthony Vanieri. Diaz explains that their sense of humor greatly influenced his own career,[2] which had its earliest beginnings as a student in North Bergen High School.[3]

Career

In 1985, Diaz left Hudson County and headed west to the Rocky Mountain State. His acceptance at the University of Colorado at Boulder and his academic life were interrupted by a short stint in prison. After his early release, Joey sold Subarus and signed-up for local open mic audiences. During the next 20 years Diaz bounced from town to town, including Seattle, where he continued performing, crafting and perfecting his visceral style of story-telling and comedy.

In 1996, Diaz moved to Los Angeles on an offer from a CBS talent scout to work on a television pilot. The series was not purchased, nevertheless, the visibility gave his career a boost, securing appearances on Law & Order and in films including Spider-Man 2[2] and the 2004 film Taxi.[3] Diaz's most prolific role came in the 2005 Adam Sandler film The Longest Yard.[2][3] Joey the Candy Bar Criminal was another role in four 2007 episodes of My Name is Earl. That same year he also appeared as "Joey Karate", doing humorous promotions for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in California, clips of which can be found on YouTube.[3] His subsequent roles include the 2009 TV movie The Dog Who Saved Christmas, and 2011 appearances in "Scarlet Ribbons", an episode of The Mentalist and the film Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star.[2]

Joe Rogan contributed, at least partially, in the success of Diaz. The two befriended at The Comedy Store. And Rogan had the foresight to take Diaz on the road with him. But Diaz's popularity came sometime after his series of interviews on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Joey (Coco) Diaz became a fan-favorite with the massive audience of Rogan listeners.

Diaz and Felicia Michaels did co-host, a now defunct, weekly podcast named Beauty and Da Beast.[4]

In 2010, Diaz appeared with Joe Rogan on The Alex Jones Show.[5]

As of 2011, Diaz was working on a documentary chronicling his life in North Bergen, and how he was influenced by the various people who took care of him following his parents' death, to whom the film is made in tribute.[2]

In 2013, he had a role in the movie Grudge Match seen alongside Robert De Niro as his coach.

In Season 2 Episode 12 of Maron, Diaz guest starred as a semi-fictionalized version of himself.

The Church of What's Happening Now

As of September 2012, Diaz hosts a bi-weekly video podcast called "The Church Of What's Happening Now". With Lee Syatt, (The Flying Jew).[6]

Charity work

Diaz has performed his standup in his hometown of North Bergen for charity. On November 4, 2007, he appeared there to help raise money for North Bergen High School basketball team uniforms.[3]

Personal life

Joey lives in Los Angeles with his wife Terrie Clark and his daughter Mercy.

Film and television appearances


Stand Up Comedy Albums

Writer

Self

References

  1. ↑ "#152 - The Church Of lucifer". Libsyn. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 LaMarca, Stephen. "From North Bergen to prison to Hollywood". The Union City Reporter. November 6, 2011. Page 4
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Hague, Jim. "NB comedian lands role on 'My Name is Earl'". The Union City Reporter. September 23, 2007. Page 6
  4. ↑ Beauty and Da Beast Podcast. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  5. ↑ "1 of 4 Joey 'Coco' Diaz & Joe Rogan Alex Jones Show Uncut". YouTube. November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Church Of What's Happening Now with Joey Diaz". Libsyn. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM4xHjQVKg8

External links

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