By: Ashmar Mandou

Born in Cuba and raised in North Bergen, New Jersey, Joey “CoCo” Diaz always had a knack for making me people laugh. “Everyone thought I was funny,” said Diaz. “They would encourage me to share my thoughts. They would always say I was funny, but I didn’t say things to be funny. I just observed and shared what I thought.”

Diaz recalled his first introduction to entertainment working in his mother’s bar. He learned to bartend during the day and at night he played the congas and cracked Richard Pryor jokes to the crowd. “It was the best time. I was just this young kid going up there and telling jokes. “

Diaz began his comedy career in Denver, but honed his craft in Seattle. One night after a show, Diaz was approached by CBS for a pilot called “Bronx County.” Diaz packed his bags and headed to L.A. Unfortunately, the pilot was never picked up, but Diaz to a risk and stayed. Almost instantaneously, Diaz managed to tap numerous stand-up specials, like Showtime’s “Payaso Comedy Slam,” and appeared on shows like, “How I Met Your Mother.” Diaz’s voracity to keep busy was what drew Gabriel Iglesias to him for the “Gabriel Iglesias Present Stand-Up Revolution.”

“It was an honor to be asked to participate. I’ve known Gabriel for many years now so it is amazing to see him where he is at today,” said Diaz. “I’m truly in the company of many great comedians of our time.”

Catch Diaz, Iglesias, and the rest of the comics on Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution out now.