Joey "Coco" Diaz, known for his larger-than-life personality and raw, unfiltered comedic style, has been a prominent figure in the world of stand-up comedy for decades. José Antonio Díaz was born in Havana, Cuba in 1963. He immigrated to the United States with his mother at age three, shortly after his father died. His life story is a testament to resilience and transformation.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in North Bergen, New Jersey, Diaz's early years were marked by hardship and adversity. Orphaned at a young age, the Cuban-American Joey Diaz found solace in humor and storytelling as a comedian, eventually carving out a successful career in comedy. They lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York before moving to North Bergen, New Jersey, when he was 10, a town that he and his mother were the only Cuban American residents of at the time. Diaz's mother ran a bar in Union City, New Jersey and a successful numbers game operation in The Bronx. Diaz grew up Catholic and enjoyed learning stories about Francis of Assisi and Saint Michael as a child. After his graduation from high school, Diaz moved to Colorado. However, his growing homesickness led him to return to New Jersey in 1984; he initially only intended to spend his twenty-first birthday there, but he ended up staying in the state for nearly eighteen months. In June 1985, Diaz left New Jersey and returned to Colorado to study economics at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Diaz was sent to prison in 1988, serving sixteen months of a four-year sentence after being found guilty of kidnapping and aggravated robbery. During his time in prison, he would perform stand-up routines for his fellow inmates during the weekly film screening event whenever the projector broke. After seeing the 1988 film Punchline, Diaz responded to an advertisement in a Denver newspaper for a $37 stand-up comedy course, and developed a blue comedy act. Diaz performed his first routine on June 18, 1991, at Comedy Works in Denver, at a show headlined by Matt Woods. In April 1992, prior to his opening spot for Troy Baxley in Boulder, Colorado, Diaz took cocaine before going on stage and had a set that he described as "a disaster". He then ceased to take the substance before a performance. After developing his act, Diaz entered the Beck's Amateur Comedy Competition and won. He initially lost another competition until the winner was caught stealing jokes made famous by Jerry Seinfeld and Diaz was declared the winner. Diaz participated in a similar contest in Seattle, and finished sixth out of 40. In 1994, Diaz returned to Comedy Works and found Curtis had started a developmental program for comics which he joined. The process involved group writing sessions at Wood's home followed by sets in the club the same evening. In 1995, Diaz left Colorado for Los Angeles to try and make it as a successful stand-up comic.
Rise to Fame and Acting Career
In 1998, Diaz received a contract to star in a television pilot, playing a bartender in a series titled Bronx County, after a talent scout at CBS saw him perform comedy in Seattle. The offer was a total surprise to Diaz, who initially did not believe him until he saw the talent scout possess tickets to have him fly to Los Angeles for the shoot. The series was not picked up, but the opportunity led to more work for Diaz, including an offer in his first feature film, a referee in BASEketball (1998), and a part in the television series NYPD Blue. In 2000, Diaz was featured in You Got Nothin' (2003), an independent film.
Diaz's profile increased with subsequent roles in Law & Order and his first major feature films, Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Taxi (2004). After, Diaz acted as an unlawful union organizer in The Longest Yard (2005). Diaz secured the role when he learned a remake of the original was in production, and had lunch with Chris Rock and Adam Sandler, during which Rock said he could land Diaz an audition. Diaz proceeded to assemble an audition tape: "I went out and got a football jersey two sizes too small, pants two sizes too small with my butt hanging out. I got kids' football shoulder pads and ran around the field with a cigar in my mouth". In 2005, Diaz expressed his wish to continue as a character actor, saying: "It's like a dream come true for me. … I got my call and I have to make the most of it". In 2007, Diaz appeared in four episodes of the television series My Name is Earl as Joey the Candy Bar Criminal. The show's producers wished to hire actors to play prisoners, and called Diaz after they saw him in The Longest Yard. Also in 2007, he hosted a series of humorous promotions for the Ultimate Fighting Championship as Joey Karate, giving karate instructions and comical predictions for upcoming fights. He regards his role in the 2009 television film The Dog Who Saved Christmas as a point of pride, as it allowed children in North Bergen to see him act.
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In 2010, Diaz started to gain widespread attention from his appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In April 2012, Diaz supported his Where I Got My Balls From documentary with the release of his stand-up special, It's Either You or the Priest. It went to No. 1 on the Billboard comedy charts in the UK and Canada, and No. Diaz contributed $2,600 to complete it and by mid-2012, Where I Got My Balls From was produced with his podcast co-host and producer Lee Syatt as director, who shot six hours of footage in total. In 2013, Diaz appeared in "Sal's Pizza", the ninth episode of the comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In the same year, he played Robert De Niro's coach in the feature film Grudge Match, which premiered on December 25. Diaz took his seventh-grade teacher to the premiere. In 2014, Diaz appeared in "White Truck", the twelfth episode of the second season of Maron. In 2009, Diaz was introduced to comedian Felicia Michaels, who encouraged him to co-host a new comedy podcast. Beauty and Da Beast launched in August 2010. In one early episode, Diaz recalled a story about setting a prostitute's wig on fire when he was young. On October 5, 2020, Diaz launched a new podcast series, Uncle Joey's Joint after moving back to New Jersey from California. Diaz has married twice. In 2007, Diaz quit his longtime cocaine abuse. He later said, "It has to do with your peace of mind. For some people, it takes 10 years to acquire. Women vs. Mr.
Health Challenges and Sleep Apnea
At the time of filming The Dog Who Saved Christmas, Diaz weighed 390 lbs. Diaz first noticed symptoms of sleep apnea through chronic fatigue and disrupted sleep patterns. Despite spending hours in bed, he would wake up feeling exhausted, with no sense of having rested. Snoring, another common symptom, was severe enough to disturb his sleep and that of anyone around him.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea, another form, happens when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Sleep apnea significantly impacted the Cuban-American comedian's health. The constant fatigue made it difficult to maintain his energy levels during performances as a comedian and affected his mood and cognitive functions. Diaz has often described how sleep deprivation exacerbated his struggles with weight and contributed to a cycle of poor health choices.
Addressing Sleep Apnea: Treatment and Management
Upon diagnosis, Diaz began exploring treatment options to manage his sleep apnea symptoms. One of the most common treatments for OSA is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP machine keeps the airway open by delivering a steady stream of air through a mask worn during sleep. Despite these challenges, Diaz's commitment to using the CPAP machine didn't hold him back. He gradually noticed improvements in his sleep quality and overall health. Consistent use of the CPAP machine helped reduce his daytime fatigue, improved his mood, and contributed to better weight management.
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Aside from Diaz, Joe Rogan, the well-known UFC commentator and podcaster, has also opened up about his struggles with sleep apnea. On his podcast, Rogan talked about how he uses an oral appliance for relief, saying: “I have it. I take a mouthpiece… it keeps my tongue from falling back on my throat”. He pointed out that many athletes deal with sleep apnea because of their strong neck muscles, and that this simple sleep mouthguard, known as a mandibular advancement device, has made it easier for him to breathe at night. While Joe Rogan doesn’t specifically endorse a VitalSleep product, his support for mouthguards highlights their overall effectiveness. In fact, dental appliances are recognized as a valid treatment option. Medical sources list “dental appliances” among the treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Raising Awareness and Prioritizing Health
Joey Diaz's openness about his sleep apnea has played a significant role in raising awareness about the condition. By sharing his personal experiences on popular platforms, he has helped destigmatize sleep disorders and encouraged others to seek medical help. Diaz's discussions about sleep apnea have resonated with many listeners who may be experiencing similar symptoms but are hesitant to seek diagnosis or treatment.
In addition to increasing awareness, comedian Joey Diaz story emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and well-being. Diaz's struggle with sleep apnea is part of a larger conversation about the importance of sleep health. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to a range of health issues. Public figures like Diaz, who share their experiences, can inspire others to take action and address their own sleep health. Moreover, Diaz's story highlights the need for increased awareness and resources for sleep health.
Weight Loss and Inspiration
Through the years bjj has inspired a series of huge transformations in its practitioners. Actor/comedian Lavell Crawford has been dedicated to working on his figure. The actor that famously portrayed scary bodyguard Huell on smash hit “Breaking Bad” is now much much lighter! Jon Orton told his unique story to Men’s health. “I realize now it was because my mentality was wrong. I was looking at a temporary solution to a permanent problem. I was sitting on my couch and I was just miserable. Just sitting there was uncomfortable. At that weight, everything is difficult. You’re living in a world that you physically do not fit in. It’s like nothing is made for you, Shopping for clothes is awful. Going to the movies is difficult. Walking any length was not easy. Inspired by the weight loss story’s so thought i would share mines too, 75 lbs down! Can I join the weight loss before/after photos too? My 81 pound weight loss since getting my blue belt last year, only doing BJJ. It’s not your age. Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting?
Joey Diaz's journey with sleep apnea is a powerful example of resilience and advocacy. Like other celebrities with sleep apnea, his story serves as an inspiration to those facing similar struggles, encouraging them to take proactive steps towards better sleep and overall well-being.
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