Ken Jeong, a name synonymous with laughter and unforgettable characters like Mr. Chow from The Hangover and Ben Chang in Community, is more than just “that guy from ‘that thing’,” as he humbly puts it. His journey is a fascinating blend of academic rigor, medical expertise, and comedic brilliance, all deeply rooted in his experiences at Duke University. Long before his Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Jeong walked the halls of Duke as a zoology major, eventually becoming a physician before taking the leap into acting. This is the story of how a bright pre-med student transformed into the acclaimed Comedian Doctor Ken Jeong, forever marked by his time as a Blue Devil.
Born in Detroit but raised near Duke University in Greensboro, North Carolina, Ken Jeong’s path initially seemed destined for medicine. Duke, with its proximity to home, top-tier academics, and stunning campus, was his dream. Admission to Duke in 1990 was not just an acceptance to a prestigious university; it unknowingly opened the door to a completely unexpected dream. At that time, entertainment was far from Jeong’s mind. His upbringing offered little exposure to the arts, and his academic focus was firmly set on the sciences.
However, a pivotal moment in his senior year of high school hinted at a hidden talent. Participating in a male pageant, Jeong’s comedic performance, which included a Lionel Richie piano rendition and a bodybuilder pose in the swimsuit segment, ignited a spark. The standing ovation he received was his “Napoleon Dynamite moment,” a first taste of comedic validation that subtly nudged him toward exploring acting in college. Balancing the demanding pre-med curriculum at Duke, Jeong enrolled in an introductory acting class during his sophomore year spring. The experience was transformative.
Suddenly, academic work felt less like a chore and more like a passion. Preparing for acting class excited him in a way his science courses hadn’t. Decades later, this initial exhilaration remains. “I just knew that this was my calling,” Jeong reflects. “… I think that’s why Duke is so special to me to this day, because I discovered my calling while at Duke.” This newfound passion led him to Hoof ‘n’ Horn, Duke’s renowned student-run musical theater organization, where he joined the chorus for their 1988 production of Kiss Me Kate. Even in a lineless role, Jeong’s comedic presence shone through, earning him a local newspaper mention that playfully warned him against upstaging the leads. This early recognition solidified his belief in his comedic talent.
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Ken Jeong with his family at his Duke graduation in 1990. From left to right: father, Dong-Kuen Jeong; Ken Jeong; mother, Young-Ja Jeong; and sister, Sarah Jeong.
Jeong’s talent was undeniable, and he gained acceptance into Duke Drama, a highly competitive program. However, committing to drama meant abandoning his pre-med studies, a difficult crossroads. Choosing between medicine and acting was, in his words, “the toughest time in terms of college life.” Ultimately, influenced by the limited Asian American representation in Hollywood at the time and perhaps a touch of parental guidance, he remained on the pre-med track, putting his “acting ambitions on hold.” “I always make the joke that I was ‘Korean-ed’ into staying pre-med, but it was really myself,” Jeong admits, acknowledging the practical considerations that guided his decision. He refocused on zoology, but the acting bug remained. During his senior spring, with medical school acceptance secured, he indulged his passion by performing in a one-act play, a final artistic expression before fully committing to medicine.
He pursued his medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, just a short drive from Duke. However, the “performance bug” persisted. Seeking an outlet, he discovered an open mic night at a Raleigh bar, marking his foray into stand-up comedy. The flexible nature of stand-up made it a manageable hobby alongside his medical studies and subsequent residency in internal medicine at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1995 when Jeong entered the Big Easy Laff-Off comedy competition. The judges were industry heavyweights: Brandon Tartikoff, former head of Paramount Pictures, and Budd Friedman, owner of the famed Improv comedy club chain. Impressed by Jeong’s comedic timing and stage presence, they declared him the winner, offering him a life-changing opportunity: performing at the Hollywood Improv. Their encouragement was “really instrumental” in validating his comedic aspirations and providing the confidence to pursue them seriously.
After completing his residency, comedian doctor Ken Jeong moved to Los Angeles, balancing a part-time physician role with Kaiser Permanente with his burgeoning stand-up career. Years of honing his comedic skills in clubs led to an audition tape for a supporting role in Judd Apatow’s romantic comedy Knocked Up. This audition, alongside established comedic actors like Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd, was a high-pressure situation. Despite initial nerves, Jeong landed a laugh early in the table read, a moment he likens to a confidence-boosting three-pointer in basketball. “It just relaxes you the rest of the game, and you perform better. That’s what happened to me,” he explains. He secured the role, marking his “big break” in Hollywood.
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Coach K and Ken Jeong at a Duke basketball game against Kansas in Las Vegas.
Following the success of Knocked Up and further collaborations with Apatow, Jeong faced a crucial decision: leave medicine to pursue acting full-time. His wife, Tran Ho, a family medicine physician, provided unwavering support. “My wife… knew she married a comedian at heart, and she really encouraged me after filming Knocked Up,” Jeong recalls. With her blessing and his father’s subsequent support, he took the leap. 2007 was a landmark year. Shortly after the birth of their twin daughters, Knocked Up premiered, and Jeong was cast in the critically acclaimed NBC sitcom Community, solidifying his presence in Hollywood.
However, personal challenges soon emerged. In 2008, Tran was diagnosed with breast cancer. Navigating his wife’s illness while caring for infant twins and building his acting career was immensely difficult. Amidst Ho’s chemotherapy recovery, Jeong received the offer to play the iconic Mr. Chow in The Hangover. Torn between professional opportunity and family responsibilities, it was Tran and his mother-in-law who urged him to take the role. Filming The Hangover, though brief, became a source of strength during a dark period. Director Todd Phillips and co-star Bradley Cooper offered immense support. “The final day of filming for me on The Hangover, Bradley himself drove me back to L.A. just to see how Tran was doing,” Jeong shares, highlighting the deep personal significance the film holds for him, beyond its box office success. Sixteen years later, Tran remains cancer-free.
The Hangover‘s phenomenal success became a turning point, providing comedian doctor Ken Jeong with the platform and resources to give back. He actively supports organizations like Stand Up to Cancer and his beloved alma mater, Duke University. “The Hangover has… opened up so many doors for me, and it’s also allowed me to have this career where I can come back full circle to Duke and give back in a way that I never thought I could,” he says.
Jeong’s journey circled back to medicine in 2015 with Dr. Ken, a sitcom he conceived, executive produced, and starred in. Playing Dr. Ken Park, a physician with a questionable bedside manner, was a deeply personal project. Running for two seasons, Dr. Ken remains his favorite work, a testament to his creative vision and perseverance. After Dr. Ken concluded in 2017, Jeong reconnected with Duke, attending a basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The experience was an emotional homecoming, reigniting his deep connection to the university. “To get that energy from the crowd and for the crowd to recognize me, I started tearing up because I was one of them… I have never experienced that kind of rush of intense joy that I do whenever I go back to Cameron,” he describes, recalling his days as a passionate Cameron Crazie.
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Ken Jeong enthusiastically cheering for the Duke men’s basketball team at a game against UNC in 2018.
Since then, comedian doctor Ken Jeong has become a regular presence at Duke. He delivered the commencement address for the Class of 2020 (virtually) and 2021 (in person), a career highlight. In January 2024, he co-hosted Duke’s Centennial Celebration Kick-Off event, further solidifying his bond with the university. He actively engages with Duke Arts, mentoring aspiring entertainment professionals and offering guidance to recent graduates. “[I’m] just telling them ‘I’m here for you, and if you don’t need me, fine, but I just want you to know that if you have any questions of any kind, I’m here for you,’” he explains, emphasizing his commitment to supporting the next generation of Duke creatives.
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Ken Jeong co-hosting Duke’s Centennial Celebration Kick-Off event at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Jeong credits his “well-rounded education” at Duke for his versatile career, highlighting the improvisational nature of both medicine and comedy. Beyond comedic roles, he has ventured into dramatic territory, taking on roles in projects like A Great Divide and Accused, showcasing his range as an actor. These dramatic turns, he believes, are a culmination of his life experiences, demonstrating growth beyond his comedic niche.
In October 2024, Ken Jeong received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his enduring career and impact on entertainment. For him, this honor is less about personal fame and more about connecting with fans and acknowledging their acceptance of his work. Looking ahead, comedian doctor Ken Jeong approaches the future with gratitude, recognizing Duke University as the foundation upon which his multifaceted success was built. His journey is a powerful reminder that it’s “okay to feel what you feel, but at the end of the day, don’t be afraid,” and that with passion and a Duke education, “everything will be alright.”
