Months after high school graduation in Detroit at the age of seventeen, Joey embarked on a journey that would take him from the streets of his hometown to the iconic World Famous Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. It was here that he honed his stand-up comedy skills alongside legendary comedians such as Richard Pryor and Paul Mooney, his offbeat sense of humor and quick wit endearing him to audiences.
A year later, Joey found himself under the mentorship of the renowned voice-over actor, Daws Butler, who had lent his voice to beloved characters such as Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound. Butler's guidance helped Joey develop his remarkable talent for characterizations, paving the way for a successful career in voice-over work.
As a voice-over actor, Joey has lent his voice to a wide range of projects, including the popular video games Devil May Cry 5, Skylanders, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Mafia II, and many others. He has also voiced numerous commercials for TV and radio, as well as projects for animation maverick Ralph Bakshi.
In addition to his work in voice-over, Joey has had a successful career as a stand-up comedian, headlining at top comedy clubs across the country and in Las Vegas. He has also opened for notable acts such as The Pointer Sisters, Richard Pryor, and the late Marvin Gaye.
Beyond his work in comedy and voice-over, Joey is a published author, having written two non-fiction books. His 2013 pet memoir, My Life with Snoopy: How One Shelter Dog's Love Changed a Man's Life and Other Tails of Adventure, tells the story of his 13-year relationship with his Burbank Shelter dog. His 2017 autobiography, Laughing Through the Pain: Stories from the Trenches of Hollywood Standup Comedy and Beyond, details his life growing up as a white Jewish kid in black neighborhoods in Detroit and his journey into the world of Hollywood show business.
Joey's film-making credits include the comedy short, Bernie, a love story about a man and his mattress, in which he wore several hats: Writer-Director-Producer and Actor. The short gained critical acclaim, winning the Bronze Award at the Houston International Film Festival. He has also directed various YouTube videos for his comedy channel.
