Of the 9.4% of the American population that falls victim to the abuse of narcotics and illicit drugs (AAC), not many have had the ability to fully recover and make something of themselves. While it is possible for everyone, most people don’t. Joey Diaz is one that defied the odds, making a name for himself in the world of comedy. He would later find himself with gigs all over Hollywood. This is his story.
Real name Jose Antonio, Joey Diaz, is a popular comedian, actor, and podcast host. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1963, Diaz was raised in North Bergen, New Jersey. Diaz grew up facing a rough childhood, losing his father at three years old. His mother owned a bar which produced all of their income. His mother died when he was just sixteen, he found her dead. This lead him to bounce around from house to house, never having a real home. All of this moving around caused Joey to become more reckless, which caused him to start selling and abusing drugs, the main one being cocaine. Many will criticize Joey for his drug use, but not everyone knows how it feels to lose both parents at a young age. I don’t think Joey was right, but I don’t think that he was wrong in the path he went down. These things can happen to anyone and I think that’s what Joey is going after.
Joey decided that in 1985 he would give college a try. He studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, attempting to make it in the school of economics. Diaz quickly learned that college was not the route he wanted to take as he hated his time in Colorado and ended up scoring a job selling roofing. He made a decent living while doing so, but was still unhappy. Still dabbling in the drug world, Joey found himself in prison for kidnapping and aggravated robbery in 1988. While in prison Joey was very good at making the other inmates laugh, he was a funny guy that people liked being around. He was friends with everyone. At a screening where inmates were allowed about an hour of free time, the projector broke. As the inmates grew outraged, Joey was convinced by fellow inmates to stand up on the stage and crack some jokes. This sparked Joey’s comedic flame. It was at that moment that he knew he wanted to pursue stand-up comedy. It’s the fearlessness of Joey that made people like him.
Diaz didn’t find success in comedy right away as he says it was a “last resort”. He had held many jobs before, as well as his selling of drugs that he carried with him everywhere. It took him three years to score his first gig, 1991 saw Joey at his first show at Comedy Works in Denver. Diaz also took place in some small stand-up competitions which got him sent to a bigger one in Seattle where he placed 6 out 40. Later, Joey ran into some issues with the manager of the Comedy Works. This forced Joey to move to Los Angeles in 1995. He soon found himself in an altercation with an ex-wife’s boyfriend that had him moving back to Colorado. Shortly, in 1997, he met his long-time friend and fellow comic, Joe Rogan. Rogan, who is well known for stand-up, hosting the show Fear Factor, as well as being a commentator for the UFC was a saving grace for Joey.
Rogan had Diaz follow him on his tours where Joey opened for him. This helped launch Joey’s career which he says he is “forever grateful” for. This also opened a film career for Diaz where he is seen in movies such as The Longest Yard, Spider-Man 2, Taxi, as well as some television shows such as My Name is Earl. He combined all of these aspects into one career which he still pursues.
Diaz is most famous for his frequent visits on Joe Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience” which is home for some of his best moments as well as his own comedy shows. It is also where I have learned everything I know about him, as well as from his website, joeydiaz.net. Joey says that his past of dope slinging and crime is what gives him most of his material for stand-up. As I have watched Joey’s stand-up, I must say that when he is reflecting on his past it makes me laugh the most. I feel that because Joey is so original and uses his own actual life experiences in whatever it may be such as stand-up, podcasts, and movies, his originality and confidence to put it all out there is what makes him shine. People don’t want to see a bashful comic, they want someone like Diaz that doesn’t care what you think about him. He just wants to make you laugh.
To further display his fearlessness, Joey can be found on YouTube, whether it be his own podcast or The Joe Rogan experience, hell, even in an interview; you can find videos where “Joey Diaz tells cocaine fueled stories”. While there are many videos out there on Joey discussing drugs and while he smokes marijuana on his podcast, The Church of What’s Happening Now, I feel that Joey serves an educational purpose. People bash Diaz for talking about drugs and his history of crime, but he often replies, “Hey, don’t hate me for something I did back in ’89. That’s not me anymore.” That’s all anyone can really say.
I, myself, before watching Joey was interested in exploring the world of drugs. I wasn’t going to go hardcore, but I figured since I was heading into college that I would venture into the world of psychedelics and party drugs. Those being speed, mushrooms, and LSD. I figured that trying something once wasn’t going to hurt me. While watching Diaz for his comedy, I carefully listened to his drug stories. The one that intrigued me the most was his battle with cocaine, which he, in the last 12 years, has overcome. Joey described his cocaine years as the, “worst years of my life.” He couldn’t function without it, so he thought. He bumped a line before getting on stage and after, on and off of set. He relied on substances alone so much that when he couldn’t get coke, he would settle for any thing that anyone could get for him. It affected his career, his friendships, but most of all it affected him. Diaz mentioned that after his mother had died he went on an “acid tear” and while his stories are comical, I felt how sincere he was. He’s been there and he doesn’t want anyone else falling into the same hole that he had once found himself in.
While Joey is an avid pot user and advocate for nationwide legalization, he does not condone or advocate any other forms of drugs. He says that it positively influences his life and is often seen on podcasts with a joint or a pipe in his hand. Diaz states that in influences his comedy, it aids him in creating material and his delivery of material. Because of marijuana Joey was able to help many people including Eddie Bravo and Bert “The Conqueror” Kreischer. Eddie Bravo, longtime Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend, was an alcoholic for a very long time. Due to smoking with Joey he was able to put down the alcohol for good, though still a substance he’s living the life he’s wanted. Bert Kreischer, friend and fellow comedian of Joey, had never had a real connection with his father until Joey brought “THC Popcorn” to one of Bert’s hangouts. Bert said that it helped him have a heart to heart with his dad that changed his life forever. These life breakthroughs are due to Joey. He says he doesn’t enjoy getting people trashed. If you’re willing, he’ll give you a sample to “see where you stand.”
Someone that gives people weed may not seem like someone to look up to, but I think that’s what is so great about Joey Diaz. He’s different. He’s not Superman and he never will be. He may not be saving the world, but he is true to himself and helps others find their identity. He posts daily on social media and while they seem goofy or inappropriate, his posts will put a smile on your face. He tells people, “Don’t let em’ tell you dick. Go out there and be yourself, f–k the haters.” And that’s just it.
Today, Joey Diaz spends his time doing podcasts, making comedy, and practicing Jiu Jitsu. He has a wife of nine years and a three year old daughter, Mercy, who has made him “adore” fatherhood. He can be seen on his podcast, The Church of What’s Happening Now, where he tells his stories, shares his knowledge, and has some fun. I think that Joey is someone that will stay true to himself no matter how his life goes, with more fame or less fame. The guy is who he says he is and that’s enough for me to call him a hero and I hope that more people can fall into to his unique mindset.
Dylan Nobles 
