She was a stand-up comedian pre and post-transition, with a period in between when she was a middle school language arts teacher.
[3] Julia Scotti was born in 1952 and was raised by her single Italian mother in Fairview, New Jersey; after her parents divorced, she attended a Catholic elementary school and moved with her family to Cliffside Park.
[4][5] Her early comedic influences include Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Jean Shephard.
[7][8] She won the title "Funniest person in New Jersey" in a contest hosted by Showtime television, toured with Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, and has been the opening act for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Chicago and Lou Rawls.
She continues to tour and has since had a documentary made about her life with footage following a 5-year period, called Julia Scotti: Funny that Way.