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Joey Diaz

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Joey Diaz
Birth nameJose Antonio Diaz
Born (1963-02-19) February 19, 1963 (age 61)[1]
Havana, Cuba
MediumStand-up comedy, television, podcast, film
NationalityCuban-American
SpouseTerrie
Children2
Notable works and rolesMy 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.[citation needed]

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

  • The Dog Who Saved Summer (2015) - Stewey McMann
  • Maron (2014) - Bobby Mendez
  • The Dog Who Saved Easter (2014) - Stewey McMann
  • Grudge Match (2013)
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) - Sal (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • The Dog Who Saved The Hollidays (2012) - Stewey McMann
  • Kickin' It "We Are Family" (2012) TV Episode .... Meatball King (as Joey Coco Diaz)
  • The Dog Who Saved Halloween (2011) - Stewey McMann
  • Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
  • My Dog's Christmas Miracle(2010) .... TSA Officer
  • Stonerville (video) (2011) .... Johnny Scarano
  • The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation (2010) - Stewey McMann
  • The Russian (video short) (2010) .... Frank
  • Stacy's Mom (video) (2010) .... Frankie the Teach (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009)- Stewey McMann (as Joey Coco Diaz)
  • The Deported (2009) .... Sheriff
  • Redemption (film short) (2009) .... Ritchie
  • My Life at 26 (TV movie) (2008) .... Paxon
  • Boiler Maker (video) (2008) .... Enzo
  • Wizards of Waverly Place (TV series) (2008) "The Supernatural" .... Newsstand Guy (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • One Hogan Place (TV movie) (2008) .... Vinnie Books
  • The Dark Knight (2008) Special Features.... Restaurant owner
  • Frank TV (2007) "Ballpark Frank" (2007) .... Defendant
  • My Name Is Earl (2007) .... Joey the prisoner (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz) (3 Episodes)
    • "Our Other Cops Is On!: Part 1" (2007)
    • "Our Other Cops Is On!: Part 2" (2007)
    • "My Name Is Inmate #28301-016: Part 1" (2007)
  • White Pants (video short) (2007) .... Coach Larkin
  • Alive N' Kickin' (TV movie) (2007) .... Joey
  • Murder 101: College Can Be Murder (2007) .... Herbie Saxe
  • "Smiley Face" (2007) .... Security Guard
  • "My Life at 26' Shortoon" (video short) (2007) .... voice
  • Everybody hates Chris "Everybody Hates Promises" (2006) .... Restaurant owner
  • How I Met Your Mother Where Were We?" (2006) … Angry New Yorker
  • 18 Fingers of Death! (2006) .... Sammy Delassandro
  • A Fine Line (2006) .... Bruno Scalise
  • The Longest Yard (2005) .... Anthony "Big Tony" Cobianco
  • Accidentally on Purpose (film) (2005) .... Geraldo
  • Break a Leg (2005) .... Large Producer
  • Endings (2005)
  • The Mafia Type (2004) .... Big Al
  • Taxi (2004) .... Freddy (as Joey Coco Diaz)
  • Spider-Man 2 (2004) .... Train Passenger (as Joey Coco Diaz)
  • Back by Midnight (2004) .... Jojo (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Criminal" (2004) .... Elijah Coney
  • Cold Case "Disco Inferno (2004) .... Ken Mazzacone (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • ER "The Greater Good" (2003).... Grocery Store Clerk
  • Karen Sisco "Dear Derwood..." (2003) .... Paulie
  • Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) .... Emmanuel's Entourage
  • "The Mezzos" (short) (2003) .... Joey Mezzo
  • Analyze That (2002).... Ducks
  • Another Bobby O'Hara Story (2002) .... Tommy Brando
  • NYPD Blue
    • "Death by Cycle" (2002) .... Manny Mankiewicz
    • "Women vs. Men" (2002) (TV) .... Goon
  • The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (2002)....Pizza Deliver Bodyguard (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
  • American Gun (2002) .... Gun Smuggler
  • You Got Nothin' (2002) .... Charlie
  • Back by Midnight (2002) .... Jojo
  • Mad TV (2001) .... "Big Pussy" in Sopranos parody
  • BASEketball (1998) .... Referee


Stand Up Comedy Albums

  • Socially Unacceptable (2016)
  • Savage Dad (2015)
  • You Can't Eat Pussy With Asthma (2013)
  • Testicle Testaments 5: Crimes Against Myself (2013)
  • Testicle Testaments 4: How I Got Into Comedy (2013)
  • The Blue Album (2013)
  • Testicle Testaments 3: The Person Who Made Me A Man (2012)
  • Testicle Testaments 2: Crime Stories (2012)
  • Testicle Testaments 1: The Worst & Best Day Of My Life (2012)
  • It's Either You or The Priest (2012)
  • Live at the 3 Clubs in Hollywood (2011)

Writer

  • 1st Amendment Stand Up (TV series) "Joey Diaz/Melanie Comarcho/Lavell Crawford" (2007) (writer)
  • BET's ComicView "ComicView: New Orleans Party Gras" (2000) (writer)

Self

  • Where I Got My Balls From (Documentary) (2012) .... Himself
  • Inside MMA "Episode #2.17" (2008) … Guest[7]
  • The Payaso Comedy Slam (TV movie) (2007) .... Himself
  • 1st Amendment Stand Up (TV series) "Joey Diaz/Melanie Comarcho/Lavell Crawford" (2007) .... Himself - Comedian
  • Inside Joke (TV series) (2004) .... Himself
  • National Lampoon Live: New Faces
  • The History of Choking (documentary short) (2002) .... Himself
  • BET's Comicview "ComicView: New Orleans Party Gras" (2000) .... Himself - Comedian (as Coco)

References

  1. ^ "#152 - The Church Of lucifer". Libsyn. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e LaMarca, Stephen. "From North Bergen to prison to Hollywood". The Union City Reporter. November 6, 2011. Page 4
  3. ^ a b c d e 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