Varla Jean Merman

Varla Jean Merman

Actor

Biography

Varla Jean Merman is the drag persona of American drag performer, actor and singer Jeffery Roberson. Varla's fictitious pedigree boasts that Ernest Borgnine is her father and Ethel Merman is her mother. Along with her co-stars, Roberson shared the 'Best Actor Grand Jury Award' at Outfest 2003 and 'Best Actress' honors at both the 2003 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and the 2003 Aspen HBO Film Festival for his role as Varla/Marla in the film 'Girls Will Be Girls'.

Photo

Varla Jean Merman 1
Varla Jean Merman 2
Varla Jean Merman 3

Representative Works

Lady Champagne
Lady Champagne
No Rating Yet
/ English
Dragtime
Dragtime
No Rating Yet
/ English
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
No Rating Yet
/ English
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special
5.2
/ English
Wig
Wig
5.8
/ English
Girls Will Be Girls
Girls Will Be Girls
5.7
/ English
Dragtastic
Dragtastic
No Rating Yet
/ English
BearCity 2: The Proposal
BearCity 2: The Proposal
5.5
/ English
Big Easy Queens
Big Easy Queens
No Rating Yet
/ English
Hush Up Sweet Charlotte
Hush Up Sweet Charlotte
7.0
/ English
Franchesca Page
Franchesca Page
3.0
/ English
Bear Week Diaries
Bear Week Diaries
5.0
/ English

Awards and Honors

Critical Favorites

Lady Champagne
2026Nominee

Best Performance

Lady Champagne

Dragtime
1997Nominee

Best Performance

Dragtime

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
2020Nominee

Best Performance

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens

Career Highlights

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special
2020Highlight

Best Performance

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special

Wig
2019Highlight

Best Performance

Wig

Video