Joey Arias

Joey Arias

Birthdate
October 3, 1949 (75 years old)
Place of Birth
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
Known For
Acting

Details

Birthdate
October 3, 1949 (75 years old)
Place of Birth
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
Known For
Acting

Biography

A fixture of New York City’s vibrant downtown performance scene for 30-plus years, Joey Arias is a bona fide NYC icon. Arias lived and worked with legendary musician Klaus Nomi until Nomi’s death in 1983. However, he has long since stepped out of Nomi’s shadow to gain fame in his own right as a performance artist, cabaret singer and drag artist. Arias has distinguished himself with scandalous wit, sleek style and an extraordinary voice... evocative of Billie Holiday yet uniquely his own. Arias has performed worldwide at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Freedom Theatre in London. Arias was tapped by Cirque du Soleil to originate the role of the emcee in their Las Vegas spectacular Zumanity. After 6 years in that role, Arias returned to New York where he became the star and co-creator of Arias With a Twist with master puppeteer Basil Twist. The show was a critical and commercial hit and extended repeatedly for a total of 8 months. On film, he has appeared in Mondo New York, Big Top Pee Wee, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Wigstock - The Movie, Flawless and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, among others.

Joey Arias's LGBTQ+ Titles

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Justine
Flawless
Flawless
Stormy
After Louie
After Louie
Jai the Chanteuse
Wig
Wig
Self

Acting (23)

2019
Wig as Self
2017
After Louie as Jai the Chanteuse
2016
The Zanctuary as Dora Ramona del Pilar
2012
Jobriath A.D. as Himself
2012
She's Living for This as Joey Arias / Various Characters (1 episode)
2010
Arias With a Twist as Himself
2008
Cirque du Soleil: LoveSick as Himself
2004
The Nomi Song as Self
1999
Flawless as Stormy
1997
Dragtime as Self
1997
Drunks as Ruby
1995
God Save the Queens
1995
Wigstock: The Movie as Self
1993
Naked in New York as Self
1991
Deadly Game as Ramirez
1988
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark as Hitchhiker
1988
Big Top Pee-wee as Shim
1988
Mondo New York as Fish Out Of Water / A Hard Days Night
1987
Vandemonium Plus
1985
Mermaids on Heroin as Meridian
1980
The Long Island Four
1975
Saturday Night Live as Self - David Bowie Backup Singer (uncredited) (1 episode)

Directing (1)

1985
Mermaids on Heroin • Director
• Director

Writing (1)

1985
Mermaids on Heroin • Writer
• Writer