Ken Jeong is quickly establishing himself as the go-to character actor for today’s hit comedies. 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. The film is the highest-grossing r-rated comedy to date, and has grossed $277 million at the domestic box office. Later that same summer, Jeong was seen in two more comedies. The first was Will Ferrell produced film, “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard” opposite Jeremy Piven. He was next reunited with Bradley Cooper in the film “All About Steve,” also starring Sandra Bullock.
Since his feature film debut as the doctor in “Knocked Up” in 2007, Jeong has gone on to a number of memorable roles in a series of successful comedies. Directed, written and produced by Judd Apatow, Jeong’s first film grossed $219 million at the worldwide box office. The year 2008 saw Jeong with his first major role as the villain in “Role Models.” Taking on the role of King Argotron, Jeong acted opposite Paul Rudd, Sean William Scott and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The film went on to gross over $90 million worldwide. The same year saw Jeong with bit parts in two other major comedies, “Pineapple Express” and “Step Brothers.”
Jeong’s career path started off on a different course. He earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University and went on to attain his medical degree at the University of North Carolina. Jeong completed his Internal Medicine residence 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 Bud Friedman, turned out to be his big break as Tartikoff and Friedman urged Jeong to head to Los Angeles.
Once in Los Angeles, Jeong began performing regularly at the Improv and Laugh Factory, and was seen on a number of television shows including “The Office,” “Entourage” and “MADtv.” It wasn’t until his pivotal role as Dr. Kuni in “Knocked Up” though that Jeong solidified himself as a feature film comedian. In 2006 Jeong and fellow comedian Mike O’Connell also left a mark on YouTube, as “Million Dollar Strong,” a spoof rap duo. Since the video’s posting in 2006, the video has garnered over 1 million views and Jeong and O’Connell have been tapped by MTV Films to write and star in the film version.
Paramount Pictures
