Ken Jeong is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, writer, and former physician. He is famous for his portrayal of Leslie Chow in "The Hangover" film series (2009–2013) and Ben Chang in the NBC sitcom "Community" (2009–2015). Beyond acting, he ventured into content creation by creating, writing, and producing the ABC sitcom "Dr. Ken" (2015–2017), where he also played the lead role. His filmography includes notable appearances in films like "Knocked Up" (2007), "Role Models" (2008), "Furry Vengeance" (2010), "The Duff" (2015), "Ride Along 2" (2016), "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018), "Scoob!" (2020), and "Tom & Jerry" (2021). Ken also actively participates as a panelist on the American version of the singing competition show "The Masked Singer" and was part of the first series of the British adaptation. Additionally, he serves as the host of "I Can See Your Voice." Ken Jeog is currently developing a syndicated talk show with Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury which is slated to premiere in 2024.
Ken Jeong is a stand-up comedian and actor known for his roles in "The Hangover" film series. He is also known for appearing in the music video for the song, What’s It Gonna Be? He made his theatrical film debut as Dr. Kuni in the romantic comedy film, Knocked Up, in 2007. He made his first TV show appearance as Dr. Tang in the crime drama series, The Big Easy, in 1997.
Born on July 13, 1969, in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Ken Jeong spent his early years in Greensboro, North Carolina. His given name, Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong, reflects his South Korean heritage, as he was born to South Korean immigrant parents, D.K. Jeong and Young Jeong. He also has a sister named Sara Jeong. Jeong holds American nationality with a mixed ethnicity background. Jeong completed his high school education at Walter Hines Page High School and pursued a medical career, earning his M.D. in 1995 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, following his undergraduate studies at Duke University.
Ken Jeong's journey into theater and improvisational comedy had its roots during his time as a medical student in North Carolina. He honed his comedic skills at open mic nights within the Raleigh-Durham circuit, performing at venues like Charlie Goodnights in Raleigh and Tootie's Durham Comedy Club. His involvement extended to emceeing The Comedy Spot programming series at Duke University between 1992 and 1993, where he had the opportunity to open for renowned comedians such as Margaret Cho and Jeff Dunham. While completing his medical residency at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Ken even won the Big Easy Laff-Off in 1995, with influential figures like NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and The Improv founder Budd Friedman encouraging him to relocate to Los Angeles.
In 1998, he made the move to L.A. and practiced medicine as an internal medicine physician at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Woodland Hills, all the while performing at comedy clubs like The Improv and Laugh Factory. His stand-up comedy eventually led to television appearances, including notable shows like NBC's The Office, FOX's MADtv, HBO's Entourage, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. It was his role in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up as Dr. Kuni that marked a turning point in his career, allowing him to transition from medicine to a full-time pursuit in the entertainment industry. While he gave up his medical practice in 2006 to focus on acting, Ken Jeong still maintains his medical license and has been of assistance in medical emergencies during performances and on-set.
Ken Jeong's career has been marked by a diverse range of accomplishments. He first delved into the world of acting under the guidance of director Natalia Lazarus at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory, where she coached him for his film debut in "Knocked Up." This collaboration extended from 2006 to 2012, encompassing all of his film and television roles, including appearances in films like "Step Brothers," "Pineapple Express," "Role Models," "The Hangover" trilogy, "Couples Retreat," "Zookeeper," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," and "Crazy Rich Asians." On the small screen, Jeong's standout role as Señor Chang in the NBC sitcom "Community" garnered him nominations and accolades, and his multifaceted career included hosting the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, voicing characters in animated series and films like "Bob's Burgers" and "Turbo," and winning a Streamy Award for "Best Guest Appearance" in "Burning Love."
In 2015, he starred in and produced the ABC medical comedy "Dr. Ken," a show exploring the challenges of a juggling career, marriage, and parenting. Jeong also ventured into stand-up comedy with his Netflix special "You Complete Me, Ho" in 2019, and in 2020, he assumed the role of host and co-executive producer for Fox's music game show "I Can See Your Voice." Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched the podcast "The Darkest Timeline with Ken Jeong & Joel McHale" and served as the host for Fox's New Year's Eve special. His versatility continued with voice acting roles in animated productions like "Scoob!" and "My Little Pony: A New Generation." In April 2022, Jeong made headlines when he walked off the set of "The Masked Singer" after Rudy Giuliani's reveal as a contestant.
Ken Jeong, the accomplished comedian and actor, has amassed a significant fortune, with an estimated net worth of $16 million in 2023, primarily stemming from his illustrious acting career. Presently earning an impressive annual salary exceeding $1 million, Ken resides in a splendid mansion in Calabasas, California, and his passion for automobiles is reflected in his diverse collection, which includes Mitsubishi, Subaru, Hyundai, Mercedes, and more, all of which he enjoys driving himself.
In addition to his real estate holdings and a penchant for luxury watches, his financial profile encompasses a stock portfolio valued at $2 million, a luxury yacht, and substantial investments, while his balance sheet includes assets exceeding $3 million and gold reserves worth $900,000. Despite these substantial assets, he has loans and liabilities amounting to $1.5 million. His annual expenses total $200,000, and he pays $20,000 in taxes. His financial portfolio is further bolstered by business and other income, contributing to his overall financial success. He is leading a lavish lifestyle right now.
Ken Jeong is a happily married man, having exchanged vows with his lovely wife, Tran Ho, in September 2004. Tran Ho, a Vietnamese doctor and a breast cancer survivor, stands as a testament to strength and resilience. Their union has been further enriched by the presence of twin daughters, Zooey Jeong and Alexa Jeong, born in 2008. The couple's enduring commitment to one another is evident, as they continue to lead a joyful and harmonious married life, free from any rumors of separation.
Ken Jeong is a charming and accomplished comedian and actor, standing at a height of 5 feet 5 inches. He has a slim body build with the bodyweight of 64 kilograms or 141 pounds. presence. Sporting a lustrous head of black hair that beautifully complements his dark brown eyes, Ken's distinct features include his endearing puffy cheeks, contributing to his overall healthy and attractive appearance.
In addition to his thriving entertainment career, Ken Jeong is also a licensed physician in California, although he chose to shift his focus from medicine to acting. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1998, he practiced internal medicine as a physician at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Woodland Hills for several years before fully dedicating himself to his acting pursuits. He left his career in medicine to pursue his passion for acting. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeong volunteered as a licensed physician to help administer COVID-19 vaccines.
Ken Jeong's family history is marked by immigration, as his parents, D.K. Jeong and Young Jeong, emigrated from South Korea to the United States. This South Korean immigrant background has played a pivotal role in shaping Ken's cultural identity and life experiences, influencing his journey from medicine to becoming a prominent figure in the American entertainment industry.
Ken Jeong shares a close friendship with his "Community" co-star, Joel McHale. Their camaraderie extends beyond the screen, as they have co-hosted a podcast titled "The Darkest Timeline." Joel McHale, renowned for his roles on "The Soup" and as Jeff Winger in the NBC sitcom "Community," is an American actor, comedian, and television presenter, making their collaborative podcast a testament to their enduring connection.
Ken Jeong's wife, Tran Ho, is a Vietnamese-American family physician, reflecting a shared background in medicine within their family. Together, they are parents to twin daughters named Zooey and Alexa, born in 2007. The family calls Calabasas, California, their home, where they enjoy their life together.