Known for his scene stealing abilities, actor, producer, writer and comedian Ken Jeong has established himself as one of today’s top comedic stars. Since his feature film debut playing the doctor in KNOCKED UP in 2007, Jeong has gone on to star in several memorable roles in a series of successful comedies.
Jeong can currently be seen as a judge on the FOX hit celebrity reality singing competition “The Masked Singer”, now in its third season. Prior to that, Ken starred on ABC’s “Dr. Ken”, which he was the creator, writer, and Executive Producer. He also was a series regular on the critically acclaimed NBC show “Community” from 2009-2015, which won the Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Series in 2012. In 2015, Jeong directed an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Student Athlete, and he also starred in and produced the Sundance award-winning film ADVANTAGEOUS which received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Next up, Jeong will be seen hosting FOX’s upcoming series “I Can See Your Voice”, a music mystery game show for which he will also serve as an Executive Producer.
Recently, Jeong appeared in the Warner Bros. box office sensation CRAZY RICH ASIANS which grossed over $150 million worldwide and earned multiple nominations including Golden Globes, SAG, and People’s Choice. CRAZY RICH ASIANS earned the “Best Acting Ensemble” award at the National Board of Review awards as well as “Best Comedy” at the Critics’ Choice Awards. He was also recently seen in ELSEWHERE opposite Beau Bridges, Jacki Weaver, and Parker Posey. Upcoming projects include MY SPY starring Dave Bautista, and EL TONTO starring, written and directed by Charlie Day.
In February 2019, Jeong returned to his stand-up roots for his first-ever hit Netflix comedy special, “Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho”, which earned him a People’s Choice nomination for “The Comedy Act of 2019.” Filmed at The Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, California, where Jeong first got his start in comedy, the special reflects on how he went from being a doctor to a comedy superstar.
Jeong has also lent his voice to a plethora of animated films and will soon be heard in the Warner Bros animated Scooby Doo film, SCOOB, and in TOM AND JERRY. He will also be heard in Disney’s LADY AND THE TRAMP. Jeong’s fellow voice over credits include “The Casagrandes”, WONDER PARK, DESPICABLE ME 2.
Jeong’s career path started off on a different course. He earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University and went on to get his medical degree at the University of North Carolina. Jeong completed his Internal Medicine residency in New Orleans all the while developing his comedy. In 1995, Jeong won the Big Easy Laff Off. The competition, which was judged by former NBC President Brandon Tartikoff and Improv founder Budd Friedman, turned out to be his big break as Tartikoff and Friedman urged Jeong to head to Los Angeles.
Once in Los Angeles, he began performing regularly at the Improv and Laugh Factory and was seen on a number of television shows including “The Office”, “Entourage”, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” It wasn’t until he caught Judd Apatow’s eye, who cast him as “Dr. Kuni” in KNOCKED UP that he solidified himself as a feature film actor. In 2008, Jeong had his first major role opposite Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott as the villain in David Wain's ROLE MODELS. That same year he also appeared in the cult comedy hits PINEAPPLE EXPRESS and STEP BROTHERS.
In May of 2009, Jeong appeared as the Asian-mobster “Mr. Chow” in the sleeper-hit comedy THE HANGOVER also starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, which earned Jeong an MTV Movie Award in 2010, and in which the film itself won The Golden Globe for Best Comedy/Musical and Critics Choice Award for “Best Comedy” in 2010. The film was the highest-grossing R-rated comedy to date, with over $467 million worldwide, only to be trumped by THEHANGOVER PART II, which grossed $581 million worldwide. Jeong reprised his iconic role in THEHANGOVER PART III.
Jeong dedicates his spare time to volunteering with Stand Up 2 Cancer, which is a cause very dear to his heart. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and twin daughters.