Joey Diaz is a Cuban-American comedian, actor, podcaster, and author who has entertained audiences with his raw and authentic humor for more than three decades.
He is best known for his appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience, his podcast, The Church of What’s Happening Now, and roles in films such as Spider-Man 2, The Longest Yard and The Many Saints of Newark.
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- Full name: Jose Antonio Diaz
- Date of birth: February 19, 1963
- Age: 61 years old
- male
- Place of birth: Havana, Cuba
- Nationality: Cuban American
- Profession: Comedian, actor, podcaster, author
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
- Parents: Jose Diaz (father), Gloria Diaz (mother)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Terrie Diaz (d. 2009)
- Children: Mercy Diaz (born 2013)
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: $500,000
Early Life & Education
Joey Diaz, now 61, was born in Havana, Cuba, on February 19, 1963, to Jose and Gloria Diaz.
He is the only child of parents who both participated in the Cuban Revolution. His father was a trade union leader and a political prisoner, and his mother was a bookmaker and a numbers runner.
When Joey was three years old, his family fled Cuba and settled in North Bergen, New Jersey, where they lived in a small apartment with his aunt and uncle.
Joey grew up in a rough neighborhood, surrounded by crime, drugs, and violence. He witnessed his mother’s illegal activities and learned how to hustle and survive on the streets.
Joey faced many hardships and tragedies during his childhood. He lost his father to a heart attack when he was three and his mother to a car accident when he was 16 years old.
He was then adopted by his godfather, who was also a criminal and drug addict. Joey struggled with addiction, depression and anger issues and dropped out of high school.
He spent some time in a juvenile detention center and then went to prison for kidnapping and robbery. He also has a daughter with his high school girlfriend but has lost contact with her over the years.
Joey finds solace and escape in comedy and movies. He is inspired by comedians such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Rodney Dangerfield and actors such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando. He also developed a love of music, especially rock and roll, and learned how to play the drums.
He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder but dropped out after one semester. He then enrolled in a comedy course at Comedy Works in Denver, where he won an amateur comedy contest and decided to pursue a career in stand-up comedy.
Personal life
Joey Diaz has been married twice in his life. His first marriage was to a woman named Tracy, whom he met in Colorado.
They had a daughter together, but their relationship was tumultuous and abusive. They divorced in 1991 and Joey lost custody of his daughter. He did not see her again until she was 20 years old when they reconnected and reconciled.
Joey’s second and current wife is Terrie Diaz, whom he met in Los Angeles. They dated for a few years before getting married in 2009.
They have a daughter named Mercy, born in 2013. Joey credits Terrie and Mercy for helping him overcome addiction and depression and giving him a new perspective on life.
He is very devoted and protective of his family and often talks about them on his podcast and social media.
Career
Joey Diaz began his comedy career in Colorado and Seattle, performing at local clubs and bars.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1995 with hopes of entering the entertainment industry. He faced many challenges and rejections but persevered and honed his skills.
He developed a loyal fan base and earned a reputation as an honest and fearless comedian. He also befriended other comedians, such as Joe Rogan, Doug Stanhope and Ari Shaffir, who supported and mentored him. Joey Diaz has appeared in several films and television shows as a comedian and actor.
Some of his notable roles include Spider-Man 2 (2004)where he played the role of a passenger on a security train Spider-Man from Doctor Octopus; The Longest Course (2005), where he played Big Tony, a convict and a football player; My Name Is Earl (2005-2009), where he played Joey, a friend of Earl’s; And Newark’s Many Saints (2021)where he played Dickie Moltisanti, father of Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos.
He has also done voice work for video games, such as Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) and Mafia III (2016). Joey Diaz is a popular podcaster who has hosted and guest-starred on various podcasts.
He is most famous for appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he shares his hilarious and outrageous stories and opinions with Joe Rogan and his listeners.
He also has his podcast, The Church of What’s Happening Now, which he launched in 2012. This podcast features Joey and his co-host, Lee Syatt, along with cast members comedians, actors, musicians and other friends who discuss comedy, life, culture and current events. The podcast has over 800 episodes and millions of downloads.
Joey Diaz is also the author who wrote the book titled Where I Got My Balls From: Stories of a Cuban Refugee, published in 2016.
The book is a memoir of his life, from his birth in Cuba to his emergence in Hollywood. The book is frank and humorous about his struggles, victories, and lessons learned.
Argumentative
Joey Diaz has been embroiled in controversy throughout his career, mainly due to his sense of humor and his outspoken and controversial views.
He has been accused of being racist, sexist, homophobic and insensitive by some critics and audiences, who have been offended by his stories and jokes. ta.
He also faced backlash for admitting to some of his past crimes and misdeeds, such as kidnapping, robbery, drug abuse, and sexual misconduct.
He has been banned from several places and platforms, such as Twitter and YouTube, for violating their policies and guidelines.
However, Joey Diaz also spoke up to defend himself and his comedy, saying that he was not malicious or obnoxious but was quite honest and truthful. He once said he had no intention of hurting or offending anyone but just wanted to make people laugh and think.
He also apologized for some of his actions and mistakes, and affirmed that he has changed and grown.
He also received support and respect from fans and fellow comedians who appreciated his authenticity and courage.
Social Media
- Instagram: @madflavor
- Twitter: @madflavor
Filming
- Spider-Man 2
- The longest yard
- My name is Earl
- grudge match
- Maron
- Newark’s many saints
Net value
Joey Diaz has a net worth of $500,000. He earns his income from comedy shows, film and television appearances, podcasts, and book and merchandise sales.
He also has a Patreon account, which offers exclusive content and perks to his supporters.
