Joey Arias
Born: 1949-10-03 in 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.
Filmography
2019
- Wig as Self
2017
- After Louie as Jai the Chanteuse
2016
- The Zanctuary as Dora Ramona del Pilar
2012
- She's Living for This as Joey Arias / Various Characters
- Jobriath A.D. as Himself
2010
- Arias With a Twist as Himself
2008
- Cirque du Soleil: LoveSick as Himself
2004
- The Nomi Song as Self
1999
- Flawless as Stormy
1995
1993
- Naked in New York as Self
1991
- Deadly Game as Ramirez
1988
- Elvira: Mistress of the Dark as Hitchhiker
- Mondo New York as Fish Out Of Water / A Hard Days Night
- Big Top Pee-wee as Shim
1987
1985
- Mermaids on Heroin as Meridian
1980
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - David Bowie Backup Singer (uncredited)