Quick Facts About Joey Diaz
- Full Name: José Antonio Díaz
- Stage Name: Joey “CoCo” Diaz
- Date of Birth: February 19, 1963 (Age 63)
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Podcaster, Author
- Net Worth (2026): Estimated $1.5 Million
- Height: 5 ft 10 in / 178 cm
Who Is Joey Diaz?
Joey “CoCo” Diaz is one of the most unfiltered, fearless voices in American comedy. Born José Antonio Díaz on February 19, 1963, in Havana, Cuba, he’s built a career out of telling the truth — ugly, hilarious, and everything in between. He’s a stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster, and author who came up the hardest way possible: orphaned as a teenager, in and out of trouble with the law, and battling substance abuse before finding his voice on stage.
What separates Joey from the pack isn’t polish — it’s authenticity. He doesn’t workshop punchlines in a writer’s room. He lived his material. And that’s exactly why millions of fans tune in to hear him talk.
Early Life: From Havana to North Bergen
Joey Diaz was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1963. His family immigrated to the United States when he was roughly three years old, settling in North Bergen, New Jersey. Growing up as one of the only Cuban kids in a predominantly Italian and Irish neighborhood, Joey learned early how to read a room — and how to fight.
His mother ran a bar and operated a numbers game in North Bergen. She was the anchor of his childhood, and when she died while Joey was still a teenager, his world fell apart. He was effectively orphaned. No father in the picture, no family safety net. He bounced around, got into trouble, and eventually landed in serious legal problems including a kidnapping charge in Colorado that sent him to prison.
It was behind bars, of all places, that Joey first started making people laugh on purpose. Comedy wasn’t a career plan — it was a survival tool.
Comedy Career: From Open Mics to the Big Stage
Joey Diaz started doing stand-up comedy in 1991 in the Denver and Boulder, Colorado area. After his release from prison, he committed to the craft full-time, grinding through open mic nights and small clubs across Colorado and Seattle.
In 1995, he moved to Los Angeles to take a real shot at the entertainment business. He became a regular at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, the legendary club that’s launched careers from Richard Pryor to Andrew Dice Clay. Joey fit right in — loud, raw, absolutely no filter.
His big break in comedy wasn’t a single moment but a slow burn of respect earned night after night. Fellow comedians recognized him as one of the funniest storytellers alive. His close friendship with Joe Rogan, which began during the LA comedy scene years, would eventually amplify his reach to millions.
Netflix Special
In 2016, Joey released his Netflix comedy special Joey Diaz: Sociably Unacceptable. It captured exactly what fans loved about him — no pretense, just stories from a life most people can’t even imagine, delivered with the timing of a guy who’s been doing this for 25 years.
Podcasting: The Church and Uncle Joey’s Joint
The Church of What’s Happening Now (2012–2021)
Joey launched The Church of What’s Happening Now in 2012, co-hosted by Lee Syatt. The podcast became a cult hit almost immediately. Episodes ran long — sometimes two, three hours — and featured Joey holding court on everything from his criminal past to his favorite Cuban food spots to deeply personal stories about loss, addiction, and redemption.
The show ran for nearly a decade and built one of the most loyal fanbases in podcasting. Joey’s catchphrase “tremendous” became a calling card for fans worldwide.
Uncle Joey’s Joint (2021–Present)
After ending The Church in 2021, Joey started Uncle Joey’s Joint, a slightly more relaxed show that still delivers the same uncut storytelling. He records from New Jersey after relocating from Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show features a mix of solo episodes and guest conversations with comedians, actors, and old friends from the neighborhood.
Acting Career
Joey Diaz has racked up a solid filmography beyond the comedy stage. His most recognizable film roles include:
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) — played a memorable train passenger alongside Tobey Maguire
- The Longest Yard (2005) — portrayed Big Tony in the Adam Sandler comedy
- Grudge Match (2013) — appeared alongside Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone
- The Many Saints of Newark (2021) — played Buddha in the Sopranos prequel film
On television, he’s appeared in My Name Is Earl (2008), How I Met Your Mother (2011), NYPD Blue, and voiced a character in Duncan Trussell’s animated series The Midnight Gospel (2020). Joey’s acting style mirrors his comedy — he doesn’t play characters so much as he inhabits them with the same energy he brings on stage.
Book: Tremendous
In 2021, Joey published his memoir Tremendous: The Life of a Comedy Savage. The book covers everything — growing up in Cuba and New Jersey, losing his mother, prison, drugs, comedy, and the long road to getting his life together.
It’s written exactly how Joey talks: direct, funny, and brutally honest. The book debuted strong and gave fans a deeper look at the experiences that shaped the stories they’d been hearing on podcasts and stages for years.
Personal Life
Joey Diaz married Terrie Diaz (born Terrie Clark) on November 25, 2009. Terrie, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Together they have a daughter, Mercy Diaz, who’s been a frequent topic on Joey’s podcasts — mostly stories about how being a father at his age has changed his entire outlook.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Joey made a major life decision: he packed up and moved his family from Los Angeles back to New Jersey, where he’d grown up. He’s talked openly about wanting to raise Mercy closer to his roots and away from the LA entertainment grind.
Joey’s also spoken candidly about his past struggles with cocaine and other substances, his time in prison, and how comedy and fatherhood gave him something worth staying clean for.
Joey Diaz Net Worth
As of 2026, Joey Diaz’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. His income comes from multiple streams:
- Stand-up comedy — touring and live performances
- Podcasting — ad revenue and sponsorships from Uncle Joey’s Joint
- Acting — film and television roles
- Book sales — Tremendous memoir
- Merchandise — branded products sold to his fanbase
While $1.5 million might seem modest compared to some comedians, Joey’s never been about the money. He’s talked openly about turning down bigger paychecks when they didn’t feel right, and about the years he spent broke while chasing the craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Joey Diaz from?
Joey Diaz was born in Havana, Cuba, on February 19, 1963. His family immigrated to the US when he was about three, and he grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey.
How old is Joey Diaz?
Joey Diaz is 63 years old as of 2026.
What is Joey Diaz’s real name?
His birth name is José Antonio Díaz. He performs under the name Joey “CoCo” Diaz.
Is Joey Diaz married?
Yes. Joey married Terrie Diaz (Terrie Clark) on November 25, 2009. They have a daughter named Mercy Diaz.
What happened to The Church of What’s Happening Now?
Joey ended the podcast in 2021 after nearly a decade. He replaced it with a new show called Uncle Joey’s Joint, which he continues to produce from New Jersey.
What is Joey Diaz’s net worth?
Joey Diaz’s estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $1.5 million, earned through stand-up, podcasting, acting, and book sales.
Why did Joey Diaz leave Los Angeles?
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Joey moved his family from LA back to New Jersey. He’s said he wanted to raise his daughter closer to where he grew up and step away from the Hollywood lifestyle.
Related Celebrities
- Terrie Diaz — Joey’s wife since 2009
- Mercy Diaz — Joey and Terrie’s daughter
- Jeremy Yaffe
