‘The Dog that Saved Christmas’

NB native stars in TV movie; talks about comedy and missing Hudson County food

Joey “Coco” Diaz, a North Bergen-born comedic actor, said that acting in the upcoming ABC-TV movie “The Dog that Saved Christmas” became one of his proudest career moves since for once his friends in Hudson County will be able to show their children his act.
Diaz, who has recently garnered prominent roles in “The Longest Yard” and the now-cancelled NBC sitcom “My Name IS Earl,” said that the movie was filmed last January.
He received a phone call from a friend looking for a “thuggish type” for the role of a “bumbling burglar.” After reading the script, Diaz auditioned and got the part.

_____________

“I never knew I was going to do this, be in movies and even do stand-up.” – Joey Diaz
________

Diaz said that the movie harkens back to “Home Alone,” except a dog named Zeus tortures Diaz, who plays Stewey, and his co-burglar Dean Cain, who plays Ted. Mario Lopez is the voice of Zeus. It’s up to the dog to save his family’s home from Stewey and Ted, who are attempting to break in on Christmas Eve.
“The reason why I’m really happy about this movie more than any other movie I’ve done,” he said, “is that it’s a kid’s movie and all the other kids can see me. My mom died at an early age and all my friends are like my family, so it’s kind of weird when my friends tell their kids I grew up with them and any movie I’m in is kind of off-color. This is one movie I’m proud to be in.”

Keep dreaming

Diaz said the two scriptwriters for the film, Michael Ciminera and Richard Gnolfo, grew up together and got their first movie deal for this film. He can relate to them.
Diaz, a 1982 graduate of North Bergen High School, said that he received performing arts awards while in school, but never imagined that he would star in movies.
After moving to Hollywood a couple of years ago, Diaz has worked in films and performed stand-up comedy across the country.
He said he got comedic training in North Bergen by being a Cuban guy with Italian neighbors.
Diaz hopes that some children may watch this film and realize that they can reach for their goals.
“I never knew I was going to do this, be in movies and even do stand-up,” said Diaz. “They can do this if they really want to. A lot of people just need answers or a push. This just goes to show you it doesn’t matter how bad things get; you can always do what you strive for.”

One-man show

Diaz has several other projects in the works. He will soon be shooting a pilot for MTV tentatively called “Cheaters,” which will follow people who owe money.
He will also be starring in the comedy “The Deported” as a Mexican sheriff. The film follows the plot line of an Italian-American citizen who gets deported to Mexico by crooked INS agents.
Diaz has also chosen to reinvent his stand-up act in light of his recent successes.
When filming “The Dog who Saved Christmas,” his weight was around 390 lb. Since then, with the help of Weight Watchers, Diaz weighs 295 lb.
“I could have never done it back there,” said Diaz. “There is no such thing as a diet in Hudson County. You have too much good food. I can do it out here with these vegetarians.”
The new stand-up routine, called “Life Coach” will be about losing weight, quitting smoking, and other challenges Diaz has faced.
On Nov. 25 Diaz also tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Terrie Clark of Nashville, Tenn. He said the wedding was a small, quiet reception with good Cuban food and pizza.

Hudson County food

While Diaz, who lives in Los Angeles now, is proud of his personal gains, he said one of the things he misses about Hudson County along with his friends and family is the food.
Diaz said he misses White Castle and White Manna burgers, Hashway Deli in North Bergen, as well as Cuban, Italian and German food.
He joked that when he meets people on the West Coast that talk about missing bagels, he thinks they need to take a second look, since there is much more to miss.
“What I really want is a show on the cooking network,” said Diaz. “Show the flavor we got in restaurants in Hudson County. Every time I go home I’m really amazed how good the food is, or how bad the food is at some spots.”
Diaz said he should be home in January or February, and will likely perform his stand-up act while here.
“The Dog that Saved Christmas” will air on the ABC Family network on Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. and 30 at 6 p.m. and will encore throughout the Christmas season.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.

© 2000, Newspaper Media Group