Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong | |
|---|---|
 Jeong in March 2010 | |
| Born | Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong |
| Other names | Dr. Ken |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, physician |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Kendrick Kang-Joh "Ken" Jeong, MD[1] (born c. 1969),[2] sometimes referred to as "Dr. Ken," is an American comedian, actor, and physician.
Early life and medical career
Jeong was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Korean immigrants Young and D.K. Jeong, who was a professor at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina for 35 years.[3][4] Jeong was raised in Greensboro and attended Walter Hines Page High School, where he took part in the High IQ team, 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.[3]
He completed his undergraduate studies at Duke University in 1990 and attained his medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.[1] He then completed his Internal Medicine residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans while developing his stand-up comedy.[5]
Career in show business
His big break came when he won the Big Easy Laff-Off, of which NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and The Improv founder Budd Friedman were judges. They both urged Jeong to move to Los Angeles, and he began performing regularly at the Improv and Laugh Factory comedy clubs.
Jeong's background in theater and improv has led to several television appearances, including NBC's The Office, FOX's 'Til Death, HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Ken made his feature film debut as Dr. Kuni in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up. Subsequently, he has appeared in Pineapple Express, King Argotron in Role Models, All About Steve, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, Couples Retreat and his breakout role as Mr. Chow in The Hangover. He completed filming Furry Vengeance and The Zookeeper, both to be released in 2010. He is a series regular as Señor Chang on NBC's sitcom Community.
Personal life
Jeong's wife, Tran Ho, is also a doctor. Together, they have twin daughters, Alexa and Zooey.[6]
Filmography
Film
- Knocked Up (2007) as Dr. Kuni
- Step Brothers (2008) as temp agent (cameo)
- Pineapple Express (2008) as Ken
- Role Models (2008) as King Argotron
- The Hangover (2009) as Mr. Leslie Chow
- All About Steve (2009) as Angus
- The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) as Teddy Dang
- Funny People (2009) as Davey's Dad (DVD)
- How to Make Love to a Woman (2009) as Curtis Lee
- Couples Retreat (2009) as marital therapist (cameo)
- Despicable Me (2010) as scientist (voice)
- Furry Vengeance (2010) as Neal Lyman
- The Zookeeper (2010) as Venom
- Transformers 3 (2011) as TBA
Television
- Crossing Jordan (2004)
- Two and a Half Men (2005)
- The Office (2005)
- Entourage (2006)
- Three Strikes (2006)
- The Shield (2007)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2007)
- Boston Legal (2007)
- American Dad (2008-2009)
- Worst Week (2008)
- 'Til Death (2008)
- Party Down (2009)
- Community (2009 - present)
References
- ^ a b "Medical Board of California - Physician/Surgeon License".
- ^ USA Today profile dated Sept. 3, 2009 lists him as "40" - http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-09-02-ken-jeong_N.htm
- ^ a b Lopez, Robert (2009-06-19). "Greensboro native finds funny bone in movie". News & Record. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Lee, Chris (2009-06-10). "Doctor provides best medicine". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Dr. Ken Jeong". Justforlaughs.com. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ^ Deerwester, Jayne (2009-09-03). "Ken Jeong transitions from doctor to in-demand jokester". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
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External links
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- Full One Hour Live Interview with Dr. Ken on theStream.tv
- Judd Apatow interview - Filmmaker Magazine
- Jeong on 'All About Steve' news beat - Hollywood Reporter
- MTV feeds Strong viral video to film - Variety
- Ken Jeong signed on to 'The Goods: The Don Ready Story' - Variety
- Adam McKay Talks Will Ferrell, Funnyordie.com, And Upcoming Projects
- The Apatow touch: A guide to four new comedies - USA Today
- Comedian, Actor and Real Life Doctor Ken Jeong Enjoying Hollywood Success
- Dr Drew Live: Dr Drew interviews Dr Ken July 1, 2008
- Ken Jeong signed on to 'The Hangover' - Variety
- Ken Jeong to join cast of NBC pilot 'Off Duty' - Variety
- Interview with Dr Ken - WickedAttitude.com
- http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/06/19/article/greensboro_native_finds_funny_bone_in_movie