Jami Gong
Jami Gong | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jameson Gong |
Born | Chinatown, Manhattan |
Medium | Stand-up, Producer |
Nationality | American |
Notable works and roles | Producer and host of TakeOut Comedy |
Website | www |
Jami Gong is a Chinese American stand-up comedian.[1]
Biography
Jameson ("Jami") Gong was born in 1969 and raised in New York City's Chinatown.[2]
Jami's first attempt at stand-up comedy came on a dare while he attended Syracuse University.[3] After graduating from Syracuse with a geography degree, Jami moved back into his family's brownstone in Chinatown. He made a living selling sports souvenirs at Madison Square Garden, and in later years, working at a chain of men's clothing stores around New York City. At nights, Jami performed stand-up comedy, although he did not perform from 1993 to 1999 as a result of a poor autism-induced performance that affected his confidence. He returned to stand-up after vowing to his sick grandmother that he would live life to the fullest.[4]
In 1999, Jami, along with several friends, created www.ChinatownNYC.com, a website featuring information about Chinatown.[5] Jami also became a licensed tour guide and conducted acclaimed[6] walking tours in Chinatown. Later, Jami made stand-up comedy his full-time profession. He has appeared at comedy clubs all over the world, as well as on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[7]
In 2005, Jami produced the first National Asian Comedy tour, and also took the tour overseas to Asia.[8] In February 2007, Jami founded The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong,[1] which is the first full-time comedy club in Asia.[9] In 2009, the club expanded its operations to conduct shows in Macau and the Philippines.
Miscellaneous
In 1995, Jami was knighted by the country of Malta.[10] In 2004, Jami carried the Olympic flame through Lower Manhattan as an official torchbearer for the 2004 Summer Olympics.[11]
References
- ^ ""Featured Profiles", Aprofiler". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
- ^ "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004
- ^ http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
- ^ "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004
- ^ http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
- ^ http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/10/1/163053/175/travel/iPod+Audio+Tours+Taking+Over+New+York
- ^ http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
- ^ http://www.coolinyourcode.com/jami-gong/
- ^ "Stand and Deliver", South China Morning Post
- ^ http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
- ^ "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004
External links
- TakeOut Comedy's website
- HK International Comedy Festival's website