Who is Joey Diaz and what is his net worth?
David Perry
A COMEDIAN with a chequered past sounds like the punchline for a dodgy joke.
But the life of Joey Diaz is straight out of a film script - forecasting his extraordinary future in Hollywood.
Who is Joey Diaz?
José Antonio Diaz, known professionally as Joey "Coco" Diaz, is a Cuban-American actor and stand-up comedian.
He was born on February 19, 1963, in Havana, before moving to North Bergen, New Jersey, with his family as a child.
His stage presence was evident even in his early years, with Joey winning awards in performing arts during high school.
The actor's father tragically passed away when he was just three, before he found his mother died when he was 16.
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Four families in the community stepped in to take care of the teen, but his grief led him on to a path of drug abuse and crime.
He eventually moved to Colorado in 1982, where he studied economics at university, before quitting the course.
The 59-year-old landed himself in prison in 1988 after being convicted of kidnapping and aggravated robbery.
Behind bars, he began performing stand-up routines for his fellow inmates during the weekly film screening event when the projector broke.
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Despite being praised for his natural talents, it took him three years to try a career in comedy - which he described as "the last resort".
He embarked on a stand-up course and performed his first routine on June 18, 1991, in Denver.
Joey began becoming successful in local competitions, creating a name for himself on the scene, before moving to Los Angeles to take advantage of open-mic nights.
His career then began to take off when he dipped his toe into acting, bagging roles in major TV series and later a string of films.
What is Joey Diaz's net worth?
According to celebritynetworth.com, the comedian is worth an estimated $500,000.
He acquired his wealth thanks to his dual career in comedy and acting.
The Cuban-American is said to have splashed his cash on a fleet of fancy cars while living a luxurious lifestyle.
Is Joey Diaz married?
Joey married longtime partner Terrie Diaz on November 25, 2009.
Terrie was born in Nashville, Tennesee, although little information is available on her private life.
The pair are now believed to be living in New Jersey after ditching Hollywood.
Joey divorced his first wife, whose identity remains unknown, in 1991.
The actor finally quit his decades-long cocaine abuse in 2007 to focus on his work and desire for family life.
He later said: "It has to do with your peace of mind. For some people, it takes 10 years to acquire. It took me 30."
Does Joey Diaz have any children?
Joey shares one daughter with Terrie, named Mercy, who they welcomed on January 8, 2013.
He occasionally shares sweet pictures with the youngster online.
The star also has another daughter, whose identity is unknown, from his first failed marriage.
It is understood that he became estranged from her following the divorce from her mother.
The actor once said the breakdown of the relationship with his child inspired his decision to forge a career in comedy.
What films has Joey Diaz starred in?
The loveable rogue has enjoyed an illustrious career on the big screen and is renowned for his exuberant personality and voice.
Joey landed roles in Spider-Man 2, Taxi, and Law & Order, before scoring a role in 2005's The Longest Yard as a convict.
He even appeared in several episodes of My Name Is Earl, as well as cameos in How I Met Your Mother and Disney's Wizards Of Waverly Place.
Other notable TV and film credits include The Dog Who Saved Christmas, Grudge Match, My Life At 26, and Rules Don't Apply.
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The dad even lended himself to The Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints Of Newark, where he portrayed Buddha Bonpensiero.
Joey later delved into the podcast world after moving back to New Jersey, launching the series Uncle Joey's Joint.
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