10 Famous Asian Comedians: Top Stand-Up Stars Making Waves
Asian comedians have been evolving largely in the global entertainment industry, challenging stereotypes with their unique humor and compelling narratives. From Bobby Lee to Awkwafina, the famous Asian comedians bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the forefront of comedy. Their success not only entertains but also paves the way for greater representation and inclusivity in the media.
Here, we highlight the expertise of famous comedians, their journeys, and specific achievements that have made a cultural impact and contributed to the evolving comedy industry.
List of Famous Asian Comedians
1: Bobby Lee
Date of Birth: September 17, 1971, California, U.S.
Best Works:
- A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
- Mad TV
- Paul
- Pineapple Express
Accolades:
- Asian Excellence Award for Outstanding Comedy Performance
- Streamy Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a Comedy Series
- Shorty Award for Best Podcast
Bobby Lee worked at cafes and restaurants. In 1994, he started working at The Comedy Store in San Diego and performing stand-up comedy. Later, he became a regular performer at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He joined the cast of MAD TV in 2001 and remained a cast member until 2009. He co-hosted two popular podcasts, Bad Friends with Andrew Santino and TigerBelly with Khalyla Kuhn.
Despite initial parental unsupportiveness, Bobby Lee’s determination and talent shone through. His parents eventually came around, especially after his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This turning point in his career was a testament to his resilience. In 2012, he was hired to reboot Maker Studios’ YouTube comedy channel, The Station.
Lee’s comedy blended outrageous stories and physical comedy. His infectious personality adds more to his roles, making him one of the most famous Asian comedians.
2: Ronny Chieng
Date of Birth: November 21, 1985, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Best Works:
- Ronny Chieng: International Student
- The Daily Show
- Legally Brown
- Kinne
Accolades:
- Screen Producers Australia Award
- AACTA Awards
Ronny Chieng started performing stand-up comedy in 2009. In 2013, he performed with Trevor Noah at an Australian comedy festival in Melbourne. Later, in 2015, he became a senior correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
His versatility is evident in his filmography, where he has appeared in a range of roles in films like Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), and Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow.
Ronny Chieng’s global appeal is further solidified by his first Netflix stand-up special, Asian Comedian Destroys America!, released in 2019. He is a regular performer at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, showcasing his talent to audiences worldwide.
3: Jimmy O. Yang
Date of Birth: June 11, 1987, British Hong Kong
Best Works:
- Silicon Valley
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Patriots Day
- The Arsenio Hall Show
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Accolades:
- All Def Movie Awards
- Online Film & Television Association (Nominee-2019)
Jimmy O. Yang did his first stand-up set at 21 at the Ha Ha Comedy Club in North Hollywood. He made his television debut on CBS’s 2 Broke Girls in 2012 and had his first late-night stand-up appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 2014. Jimmy also played Tang-See on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and appeared in Criminal Minds. He gained popularity for his role as Jian-Yang in HBO’s Silicon Valley, initially appearing in a guest role before becoming a series regular.
Yang released his first comedy special, Good Deal, on Amazon Prime Video in 2020 and followed up with his second special, Guess How Much?, on Prime Video in 2023. He also voiced the Monkey King in Netflix’s animated movie “The Monkey King,” released in 2023.
His comedic performance showcased his immigrant experience while delivering insightful commentary. Furthermore, his sharp comedic skills made him one of the most famous Asian comedians.
4: Randall Park
Date of Birth: March 23, 1974, California, U.S.
Best Works:
- WandaVision
- Always be my Maybe
- Long Shot
- Straight Up
- Strays
Accolades:
- Hawaii International Film Festival (2019)
- Chicago Indie Critics Award (2020)
- Critics Choice Award (Nominee, 2018)
Randall Park’s comedic performances portray everyday characters that resonate with audiences, making him perform recreationally. He was influenced by Mike Birbiglia and Mitch Hedberg. His first lead role was in the 2003 short film Dragon of Love, which won Best Short Film at the 2003 Hawaii International Film Festival.
He voiced Chen, the Cheerleader in The Lego Ninjago, and Eugene in Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart. He has shown his versatility by directing and co-writing the comedy-drama film Shortcomings, released in 2023.
Known for his comedic timing and charm, Park’s comedies make him one of the famous Asian comedians who produce engaging and relatable content.
5: Sheng Wang
Date of Birth: January 8, 1980, Taipei City, Taiwan
Best Works:
- Fresh Off the Boat
- The Comedian
- Adventure Time: Distant Lands
Accolades:
- Hawaii International Film Festival
- Chicago Indie Critics Award
- Critics Choice Award (Nominee, 2018)
Sheng Wang’s comedy is a unique blend of laid-back vibes, personal anecdotes, and sharp observations. This distinctive style piques the interest of comedy enthusiasts seeking something genuine and relatable.
Wang began performing stand-up comedy in San Francisco and New York City after graduation. In 2007, he was a featured performer at the Montreal Comedy Festival.
Wang appeared in “Comedy Central Presents” on January 28, 2011, and also won top honors at the Seventh Annual “Stand Up for Diversity” comedy search in January 2011.
Wang’s career continued to soar as he performed on ‘John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show’ in 2012. His comedy albums, ‘Cornucopias Are Actually Horrible Containers’ in 2015 and ‘Sweet & Juicy’ in September 2022, directed by the renowned Ali Wong, added more to his growing influence in the comedy world.
6: Ken Jeong
Date of Birth: July 13, 1969, Michigan, U.S.
Best Works:
- The Hangover
- Crazy Rich Asians
- The Hangover Part II
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Accolades:
- MTV Movie + TV Awards
- TV Guide Awards
- The Streamy Awards
- Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
Ken Jeong’s high-energetic performances and perfect comedic timing have left indelible marks in the entertainment industry. His fearless humor makes him one of the most versatile comedians.
Jeong was a regular performer as a comedian at open mic nights in Raleigh-Durham and performed at Charlie Goodnights and Tootie’s Durham Comedy Club.
Jeong was nominated for “Male Breakout Star” for Community (2010) and received the Visionary Award by East West Players for raising the visibility of the Asian-Pacific American community. Ken Jeong successfully transitioned from a career in medicine to becoming one of the most famous Asian comedians by performing several hits on television and in film.
7: Ali Wong
Date of Birth: April 19, 1982, California, U.S.
Best Works:
- Savages:
- Dealin’ with Idiots
- The Angry Birds Movie
- Birds of Prey
Accolades:
- Critics Choice Award
- Primetime Emmy Awards
- Golden Globes, USA
- Astra Television Award
- listed in the Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 and 2023
- Goodreads Choice Award
Ali Wong is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, known for her bold, candid humor. She fearlessly draws on personal experiences, making significant contributions to comedy and the representation of Asian Americans. Her work is a source of pride and empowerment for many.
Ali Wong began her first stand-up performance at age 23 after graduating from college. She relocated to New York City to pursue comedy and performed up to nine times a night. She wrote “Fresh Off the Boat” for the first three seasons and was recommended by Randall Park.
Wong’s unapologetic and raw comedies brought her immense success in the entertainment industry, highlighting topics such as motherhood, marriage, and career. Her bold personality and powerful voice make her one of the most famous Asian comedians.
8: Jo Koy
Date of Birth: June 2, 1971, Misawa, Japan
Best Works:
- Jo Koy: Lights Out
- Jo Koy: Live from Seattle
- Catch a Rising Star
- Virginia
Accolades:
- Just for Laughs Comedy Festival (2018)
- Method Fest (Nominee, 2019)
Jo Koy’s comedy is a unique blend of personal anecdotes and cultural humor. His material often revolves around his family experiences, creating a relatable and engaging connection with his audience. This distinctive style is a key factor in his popularity and appeal to comedy enthusiasts.
Jo Koy started his stand-up career in 1994 at a Las Vegas comedy club. He moved from open mic nights to regular performances at Catch a Rising Star at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. He had his first TV appearance on BET’s ComicView.
Koy became the Stand-Up Comedian Of The Year at 2018 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and ranked #1 on the Billboard Charts for his stand-up comedy album, “Live From Seattle”. Extending his versatility, Koy has also worked on various TV stand-up specials and guest-starred on multiple shows.
With a set of successes in the entertainment industry, Koy is known for his charismatic stage presence, which makes the audience laugh out loud.
9: Awkwafina
Date of Birth: June 2, 1988, New York, U.S.
Best Works:
- Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
- Future Man
- Weird City
- Girl Code
Accolades:
- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (2022)
- Golden Globes, USA (2020)
- Hawaii International Film Festival (2018)
- Saturn Award
Nora Lum, better known as Awkwafina, is hailed for her ability to effortlessly add humor and depth to her performances. Her unique voice and pitch add to her versatility as a performer who continues to go far beyond the barriers and redefine representation in Hollywood.
Awkwafina starred in “The Farewell” (2019) and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. She was the co-creator, writer, executive producer, and star of the Comedy Central series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” (2020-present).
She hosted the short-form talk show web series “Tawk” from 2015 to 2017, which received a Webby Award Honoree and a Streamy Award nomination. She was featured in Gap’s “Logo Remix” campaign and appeared on magazine covers such as Vogue, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire.
10: Joel Kim Booster
Date of Birth: February 29, 1988, Jeju Island, South Korea
Best Works:
- Fire Island
- Kam Kardashian
- Funemployed
- Comedy Central Stand-up Presents
- The Other Two
Accolades:
- Provincetown International Film Festival (2024)
- Mill Valley Film Festival (2022)
- Critics Choice Award Celebration of Cinema & Television (2022)
Joel Kim Booster is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer who worked as a copywriter in Chicago while performing in theater and writing jokes. Joel began performing stand-up by opening for plays in Chicago, moved to New York in 2014 to pursue comedy, performed on Conan in 2016, and had a Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents special in 2017.
He co-produced and wrote for his show, Big Mouth, and appeared on Television series like Shrill, Search Party, and Sunnyside. His film Fire Island received positive reviews for its cinematography, faithfulness to Pride and Prejudice, and depiction of friendship.
His comic style explores racism in the gay community, experiences growing up Asian in a white community, and challenges stereotypes about Asian Americans.
FAQs
Who is the most famous Asian comedian?
Bobby Lee is the most famous Asian Comedian, known for his eclectic mix of outrageous stories and great sense of humor.
Who are the highest-paid Asian comedians?
Some of the highest-paid Asian comedians are Bobby Lee, Ronny Chieng, Jimmy O. Yang.
Who is the Asian guy on the comedy daily show?
Ronny Chieng is the Asian guy on the comedy “ The Daily Show.”
Who is the Asian comedian from Los Angeles?
Randall Park is an Asian comedian from Los Angeles.
Who is the funny Asian doctor comedian?
Ken Jeong is a funny Asian doctor comedian.
