Cast & creator
Varla Jean Merman
Best known for Project Runway, Ugly Betty, Stars in the House
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'.
Also known as: Jeffery Roberson Loe, Polly Gripe, Jeffery Roberson
12
film credits
5
television credits
17
1997–2026 · acting roles
5.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (17)
Showing 17 of 17 credits
Project Runway
Self
2004
Ugly Betty
Self
2006
Stars in the House
Self
2020
She's Living for This
Varla Jean Merman / Various Characters
2012
The Sherry Vine Variety Show
Varla Jean Merman
2021
BearCity 2: The Proposal
Varla Jean Merman
2012
Girls Will Be Girls
Varla / Marla
2003
Lady Champagne
2026
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
Roscoe
2020
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special
Nanog (voice)
2020
Dragtastic
2010
Dragtime
Self
1997
Wig
Self
2019
Hush Up Sweet Charlotte
Melanie, Stan
2015
Big Easy Queens
Irlene / Amos
2023
Franchesca Page
Rita Page
1998