Varla Jean Merman

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'.

Known For

Project Runway

Ugly Betty

Stars in the House

She's Living for This

Lady Champagne

The Sherry Vine Variety Show

Wig

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens

All Movies (13)

• Lady Champagne2026
• Bear Week Diaries2024
• Big Easy Queens2023 · as Irlene / Amos
• The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special2020 · as Nanog (voice)
• Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens2020 · as Roscoe
• Wig2019 · as Self
• Hush Up Sweet Charlotte2015 · as Melanie, Stan
• BearCity 2: The Proposal2012 · as Varla Jean Merman
• Dragtastic2010
• Girls Will Be Girls2003 · as Varla / Marla
• Franchesca Page1998 · as Rita Page
• Dragtime1997 · as Self
• Mardi Gras Cowboy1996 · as Mrs. Goose

All TV Shows (5)

• The Sherry Vine Variety Show2021 · as Varla Jean Merman
• Stars in the House2020 · as Self
• She's Living for This2012 · as Varla Jean Merman / Various Characters
• Ugly Betty2006 · as Self
• Project Runway2004 · as Self