deadmau5 pronounced `` dead mouse '' , ( real name : Joel Zimmerman ) ( born January 5 , 1981 in Niagara Falls , Ontario ) is a Grammy-nominated and Juno winning Canadian electro and progressive house DJ . Joel Thomas Zimmerman ( born January 5 , 1981 ) , better known by his stage name deadmau5 ( pronounced `` dead mouse '' ) , is a Canadian progressive , electro , and house producer based in Toronto , Ontario .