Joey Diaz is the stage name of American actor, comedian, and podcast presenter Jose Antonio Diaz. He was the presenter of the podcast ‘The Church of What’s Happening Now’ and a frequent guest on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’. Diaz was born in Havana, Cuba, as the only child of his parents. The family relocated to the United States. Initially, he desired to become a bookmaker, but he later realized it was not an honest method to make a living. When he was orphaned at an early age, he turned to crime and was even imprisoned for a time. He used to perform stand-up comedy sketches for his fellow inmates during his stay in prison. After completing a comedy course, he entered and won the Beck’s Amateur Comedy Competition. This inspired him to pursue a career in acting. The first film in which he appeared was the sports comedy BASEketball. In addition, he had minor roles in the television series ‘NYPD Blue’ and ‘My Name Is Earl’. He subsequently appeared in cameo roles in films such as “American Gun” and “Spider-Man 2.” More recently, he appeared in Warren Beatty’s romantic comedy-drama film “Rules Don’t Apply.”
Youth and Early Life
Jose Antonio Diaz was born in Havana, Cuba, on February 19, 1963, as his parents’ only child. Later, his family moved to North Bergen, New Jersey, after relocating to the United States. His mother formerly ran a bar and a numbers game enterprise. He attended the McKinley School and the North Bergen High School, where he received awards in the performing arts field. In 1982, he graduated from high school.
He had a tragic upbringing. His father died when he was three years old. A few years later, when he was fifteen, his mother was discovered deceased on the floor of his home. He was subsequently adopted by four families. Due to his irresponsible nature, he was forced to continuously relocate. Approximately at this time, he began using drugs and perpetrating crimes. He initially decided to become a bookmaker but changed his mind when he realized that it was not an honest way to make a livelihood.
Career in Humor
Joey Diaz departed New Jersey in 1985 to attend the University of Colorado in Colorado. However, he disliked the environment and ultimately resolved to leave. He was sentenced to prison in 1988 for coercion and aggravated robbery. During his stay in prison, he entertained his fellow inmates with stand-up comedy. He later discovered an advertisement for a stand-up comedy course in the “Rocky Mountain Post.”
He performed at the Comedy Works in Denver on 18 June 1991. Later, he entered and won the Beck’s Amateur Comedy Competition. After the initial winner was discovered stealing jokes made famous by Jerry Seinfeld, he also won a second competition. In a comparable competition held in Seattle, Washington, he placed sixth out of forty competitors.
Diaz produced an autobiographical documentary titled “Where I Got My Balls From” in 2012, which he supported with his stand-up special titled “It’s Either You or the Priest.” It topped the Billboard Comedy listings in the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as iTunes. He launched his own video and audio podcast, The Church of What’s Happening Now, in the same year. In 2016, he released a second stand-up special entitled “Socially Unacceptable.”
Joey’s Acting Profession
In the sports comedy film ‘BASEketball,’ Joey Diaz made his acting debut as a referee. The 1998 release of the film directed by David Zucker was announced in 1998. The film was a box office bomb and received mostly negative reviews. Next, he had a minor part in the television series ‘NYPD Blue’.
In 2002, he appeared in the Harold Ramis-directed criminal comedy “Analyze That” in a supporting role. This film was also unsuccessful commercially and received negative reviews. His acting career continued with cameo appearances in “Law & Order” (2004), “Spider-Man 2” (2004), and “Taxi.” (2004). In the 2005 sports comedy film “The Longest Yard,” he played a supporting role. The film was commercially successful. He acted as an unauthorized union organizer.
In 2007, he appeared in a few episodes of the television series ‘My Name is Earl,’ followed by a significant role in the 2009 film ‘The Dog Who Played Christmas’. Next, he had a minor role in the comedy film ‘Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star’ after appearing in a guest spot on the television series ‘The Mentalist’. The movie was a commercial failure.
In the 2013 sports comedy film “Grudge Match,” he appeared alongside Robert de Niro. The film was not a major triumph, but it earned more than its budget. It received negative reviews. He then appeared in an episode of the television series Maron. His most recent roles were in the 2016 films “Rules Don’t Apply” and “The Bronx Bull.”
Joey’s Major Opera
Early work by Joey Diaz included a small role in the superhero film “Spider-Man 2.” The film was based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and was directed by Sam Raimi. The film was a commercial triumph, grossing over $1 billion on a budget of $200 million. It also received critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the greatest superhero films ever made. It garnered the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
In the sports comedy film “The Longest Yard,” he performed a supporting role. Peter Segal directed this adaptation of the 1974 film of the same name. Actors such as Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, James Cromwell, and Tracy Morgan appeared in the film. The film was a tremendous financial success, grossing $190 million on a budget of $82 million. The film depicted a former quarterback who must create a team with prison inmates.
It received mediocre reviews. In addition, he appeared in the 2013 sports comedy film “Grudge Match.” The film was directed by Peter Segal and starred Robert de Niro and Sylvester Stallone as geriatric boxers who enter the ring for their final match. The film’s budget was $40 million, and it grossed $45 million, just a bit more than the budget. The film received predominantly negative reviews.
Joey’s Personal Life
Joey Diaz has had two marriages. His initial union concluded in divorce. In November of 2009, he then wed Terrie Clark. Mercy, the couple’s only child, was born in 2013. In 2007, following the death of one of his pets due to cocaine ingestion, he kicked his cocaine habit.
Estimated Net Worth
Cuban-American actor and comedian Joey Diaz has a net worth of $1.5 million. Numerous films and television series have featured Joey Diaz. His filmography includes “Analyze That,” “The Longest Yard,” and “The Many Saints of Newark,” while his notable television credits include “My Name is Earl.”