Ken Jeong
| Ken Jeong | |
|---|---|
 Jeong at SXSW 2015 | |
| Born |
Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong July 13, 1969 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater |
Duke University University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, physician |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Notable work |
Community The Hangover Trilogy Knocked Up Role Models Ride Along 2 |
| Home town | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Spouse(s) | Tran Ho |
| Children | 2 |
| Website |
kenjeong |
Kendrick Kang-Joh "Ken" Jeong (Hangul: 정강조; RR: Jeong Gangjo; born July 13, 1969) is an American actor, comedian and physician.[1][2][3] He is best known for his roles as Ben Chang on the critically acclaimed NBC/Yahoo! sitcom Community and gangster Leslie Chow in The Hangover Trilogy. He is currently the lead in the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken, in which he is also the creator, writer and executive producer.
Early life and education
Jeong was born in Detroit to South Korean immigrants.[4][5][6] Jeong was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and attended Walter Hines Page High School, where he took part in the High IQ team,[7] played violin in the orchestra, and was elected to student council. He graduated at 16 and his achievements earned him Greensboro's Youth of the Year award.[4] Jeong graduated from Duke University in 1990 and obtained his M.D. degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.[3]
Career
Medicine
Jeong completed his internal medicine residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans while developing his stand-up comedy.[8] Jeong is a licensed physician in California.[9]
Acting
Jeong won the Big Easy Laff-Off in 1995, of which NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and The Improv founder Budd Friedman were judges, and they both urged Jeong to move to Los Angeles.[10] He began performing regularly at the Improv and Laugh Factory comedy clubs. After moving to Los Angeles, he initially practiced medicine for several years as a physician at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Woodland Hills.[11]
Jeong's background in theater and improv has led to several television appearances, including NBC's The Office, HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He made his film debut in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up as Dr. Kuni, which proved to be his breakout performance. From that point forward he was able to transition from medicine into a full-time career in the entertainment industry. Subsequently, he has appeared in Pineapple Express; Role Models as King Argotron; All About Steve; The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard; Couples Retreat; and as Mr. Chow in The Hangover, The Hangover Part II, and The Hangover Part III. He co-starred in Zookeeper and Transformers: Dark of the Moon, released in summer 2011.
Jeong played Señor Ben Chang on the NBC sitcom Community and was nominated for the show's "Male Breakout Star" at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. He was nominated for two 2010 MTV Movie Awards, winning the award for Best WTF Moment and for MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for The Hangover. In fall 2010, Adidas basketball began a wide-ranging marketing campaign in which he starred as "Slim Chin", alongside NBA stars Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose. On May 22, 2011, he hosted the 2011 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on ABC[12] and was featured in a Hands Only CPR PSA campaign from the American Heart Association on June 15, 2011.[13]
Jeong won a Streamy Award for "Best Guest Appearance" for Burning Love.[14]
In 2013, he appeared in Michael Bay's Pain & Gain (2013), as Johnny Wu, a motivational speaker,[15] and returned, in a significantly expanded role, as Mr. Chow in The Hangover Part III.[16]
In an unusual, if informal, partnership, Jamie Foxx and Jeong have each agreed to star in movies written and produced by the other. Foxx has agreed to take a lead role in a new movie Jeong will produce called After Prom. Jeong will star in All-Star Weekend, a comedy Foxx is developing at his production company about two friends who find themselves fans of opposing NBA stars.[17]
In 2015, Jeong stars, writes and executive produces the pilot of his new ABC medical comedy, Dr. Ken, as a frustrated HMO doctor juggling his career, marriage and parenting, but succeeding at none of them. On May 7, 2015, the series was ordered by ABC to debut in the '15–'16 TV season starring Jeong, Suzy Nakamura, Dave Foley, Tisha Campbell-Martin and Jonathan Slavin.[18][19] [20]
Personal life
Jeong's wife, Tran Ho, is Vietnamese American, a family physician and a breast cancer survivor.[21][22][23]
Jeong became engaged to Ho around 2003 or 2004.[24] They have twin daughters (born 2008).[25]
Jeong was encouraged by his wife to quit his job as a physician and pursue acting full-time; Jeong states that "I had just finished filming Knocked Up, and it was life-changing. But I didn't have the courage to go for it until she persuaded me. Medicine is a hard-won skill, and acting can be a fickle profession, so I tried to be realistic. Now, I'm a spoiled actor. I get weekends off and hiatus weeks — time I never got as a doctor".[26]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Knocked Up | Dr. Kuni | |
| 2008 | Step Brothers | Employment Agent | |
| 2008 | Pineapple Express | Ken | |
| 2008 | Role Models | King Argotron | |
| 2009 | The Hangover | Leslie Chow | MTV Movie Awards for Best WTF Moment Nominated – MTV Movie Awards for Best Villain Nominated – Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Villain |
| 2009 | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard | Teddy Dang | |
| 2009 | All About Steve | Angus | |
| 2009 | Couples Retreat | Therapist No.2 | |
| 2010 | How to Make Love to a Woman | Curtis Lee | |
| 2010 | Furry Vengeance | Neal Lyman | |
| 2010 | Despicable Me | Talk Show Host (voice) | |
| 2010 | Vampires Suck | Daro | |
| 2011 | Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son | Mailman | Cameo |
| 2011 | Zookeeper | Venom | |
| 2011 | The Hangover Part II | Leslie Chow | Nominated – Teen Choice Award Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer |
| 2011 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | Jerry Wang | |
| 2011 | The Muppets | Punch Teacher Host | Cameo |
| 2013 | Pain & Gain | Jonny Wu | |
| 2013 | The Hangover Part III | Leslie Chow | |
| 2013 | Rapture-Palooza | God | |
| 2013 | Despicable Me 2 | Floyd Eagle-san (voice) | |
| 2013 | Turbo | Kim-Ly (voice) | |
| 2014 | Birds of Paradise | Vinnie (voice) | Direct-to-DVD |
| 2014 | Penguins of Madagascar | Short Fuse (voice) | |
| 2015 | Advantageous | Han | Also producer |
| 2015 | The Duff | Mr. Arthur | |
| 2015 | Ktown Cowboys | Himself | Cameo |
| 2016 | Norm of the North | Mr. Greene (voice) | |
| 2016 | Ride Along 2 | A.J. | |
| 2016 | Killing Hasselhoff | Chris | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Big Easy | Dr. Tang | Episode: "Night Music" |
| 2001 | The Downer Channel | Store Owner | Episode: "1.2" |
| 2002 | Girls Behaving Badly | Series regular | |
| 2003 | Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Asian Thunder | 1 episode |
| 2003–2005 | MADtv | Various characters | 4 episodes |
| 2004 | Significant Others | Gynecologist | Episode: "An Ache, a Fake & Forgot to Brake" |
| 2004 | Crossing Jordan | Steve Choi | Episode: "Slam Dunk" |
| 2004 | Grounded for Life | Owner | Episode: "I'm Looking Through You" |
| 2005 | Two and a Half Men | Male Nurse | Episode: "Woo-Hoo, a Hernia-Exam!" |
| 2005 | The Office | Bill | Episode: "E-mail Surveillance" |
| 2005 | Mind of Mencia | Ken | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Three Strikes | Roido's Interpreter | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2006 | Entourage | Coffee Shop Manager | Episode: "The Release" |
| 2007 | The Shield | Skip Osaka | Episode: "Back to One" |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Man in Jersey #1 | Episode: "The Anonymous Donor" |
| 2007 | Boston Legal | Coroner Myron Okubo | Episode: "The Innocent Man" |
| 2008 | 'Til Death | Dr. Park | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Worst Week | Phil | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | WWE Raw | Host/Himself | Episode: "3 August 2009" |
| 2009–2011 | American Dad! | Dr. Perlmutter / Butch Johnson (voices) | 3 episodes |
| 2009 | Party Down | Alan Duk | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | American Gladiator | Chuck Norris | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Men of a Certain Age | Kuo | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2009–2015 | Community | Ben Chang | 92 episodes TV Guide Award for Favorite Ensemble (2012) Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Male Breakout Star (2010)[27] |
| 2010 | Players | Rufus Ramsey | Episode: "Induction Day" |
| 2012 | Mary Shelley's Frankenhole | Hyralius (voice) | Episode: "Maly Sherrey's Hyralius, Mutant Monster!" |
| 2012 | Burning Love | Ballerina | 2 episodes Streamy Award for Best Guest Appearance |
| 2012–2014 | Bob's Burgers | Dr. Yap (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Woo (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Sullivan & Son | Jason | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale | Kelly's Manager | Television special |
| 2013 | Maron | Himself | Episode: "Sponsor" |
| 2013–2014 | Turbo FAST | Kim-Ly (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Hot in Cleveland | Doctor | Episode: "Stayin' Alive" |
| 2014 | BoJack Horseman | Dr. Allen Hu (voice) | Episode: "Downer Ending" |
| 2015 | Glee | Pierce Pierce | Episodes: "What the World Needs Now" "A Wedding" |
| 2015–present | Dr. Ken | Dr. Ken | Series lead; also creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2015 | Robot Chicken | Richie Cunningham (voice) | Episode: "Ants on a Hamburger" |
| 2016 | Wheel Of Fortune | Dr. Ken | Episode: "Fun and Fit 5" |
| 2016 | Fresh Off the Boat | Gene | Episode: "Bring the Pain" |
| 2016 | The $100,000 Pyramid | Himself (celebrity guest) | Episode: Ken Jeong vs. Tisha Campbell |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | I Like How It Feels | Himself |
| 2016 | Boombox | Laura Marano's Director |
References
- ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
- ↑ Barshad, Amos (May 23, 2011). "The Surprisingly Earnest Ken Jeong on the Secret Messages of The Hangover". Vulture.com. Nymag. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 "Medical Board of California – Physician/Surgeon License".
- 1 2 Lopez, Robert (June 19, 2009). "Greensboro native finds funny bone in movie". News & Record. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
- ↑ Lee, Chris (June 10, 2009). "Doctor provides best medicine". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ↑ Ken Jeong (October 4, 2015). "Ken Jeong on Twitter: "@S0fak1ng83 born in Detroit, moved to NC when I was 4. My father got his PhD in Economics from Wayne State."". Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ↑ Greensboro-nc.gov
- ↑ "Dr. Ken Jeong". Justforlaughs. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Ken Jeong Physician License #65869". Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ↑ "'Hangover' actor saw his career start in New Orleans -- at Ochsner". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ↑ "Ken Jeong: How to Ditch Medicine for a Career in Comedy and Diagnose Castmates". August 27, 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ↑ "Far*East Movement will perform at Ken Jeong-hosted Billboard Music Awards". Asia Pacific Arts. May 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Ken Jeong AHA Hands-Only CPR video". June 15, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Nominations Are Announced For 3rd Annual Streamy Awards". The Streamy Awards. December 17, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (April 5, 2012). "'Community' Star Ken Jeong Joins Michael Bay's 'Pain and Gain' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ↑ Siegel, Tatiana; Belloni, Matthew (July 12, 2012). "Ken Jeong Signs on for Expanded Role in 'Hangover: Part III' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ↑ "Jamie Foxx and Ken Jeong agree to trade movies". Los Angeles Times. 2012-10-10. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ↑ "ABC Orders Ken Jeong's Comedy 'Dr. Ken' to Series". May 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Medical Comedy Starring 'Community's' Ken Jeong Scores ABC Pilot Order". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-02-10. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Dr. Ken Series Premiere Date Announced". ABC Go. 2015-06-10. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ↑ Jeong, Ken (May 7, 2011). "For My Wife, in Celebration of Mother's Day". Huffington Post.
- ↑ Deerwester, Jayme (September 3, 2009). "Ken Jeong transitions from doctor to in-demand jokester". USA Today. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
- ↑ Margarita (June 7, 2010). "Dr. Ken Jeong Thanks Wife Dr. Tran Ho During MTV Movie Awards". Vitals. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ↑ Standup Dr. Ken Old BET Comic on YouTube
- ↑ "For My Wife, in Celebration of Mother's Day". The Huffington Post. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ↑ Yorio, Nicole. "A Side of Community's Ken Jeong You Haven't Seen". Redbook.
- ↑ "Teen Choice 2010 nominations". MTV. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
External links
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