On this day in 1965 comedy Comedian, Actor, Writer, Director, Joey Medina was born in the Bronx, New York.
Medina has called himself his own job fair. He worked in fields ranging from Domino’s Pizza to police officer (because girls like men in uniform) to boxer (where he won state championship), but it was comedy that kept his interest. It was the fact it entered his life when he was in the rare position of having no job. He also had no home at the time because his wife had kicked him out of it. So he sought solace at Laff’s Comedy Club in Tucson, Arizona, but instead of just a few laughs to forget about his miserable life, Medina found a new life. He observed the comedian on stage and thought – I can do that. . . and he did.
Joey Medina’s credits are expansive. Besides appearing on multi-cultural standup comedy showcases, such as BETs Comic View and Que Locos! he toured internationally entertaining US troops. Medina financed his first film, El Matador using credit cards and favors. It won best film, directing and acting awards at the 8th Annual East L. A. Chicano Film Festival. His Showtime special Joey Medina: Taking Off the Gloves was also highly acclaimed. He toured with the Original Latin Kings of Comedy (with Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, George Lopez and Alex Reymundo) and released his comedy CD, suggestively titled, Below the Belt.
Medina build a solid track record as a prolific producer. He’s overseen almost a half dozen films by using the philosophy learned from his first endeavor – sell to a distributor first – then make the film. He’s also produced, Latin Palooza for television as well as producing, writing and hosting SiTv’s Circumsized Cinema. He produced and directed Cholo Comedy Slam and hosted his own morning radio show in Los Angeles, for station KXOL 96.3FM.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
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