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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, a Korean American, was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina.^[3] His father, DK Jeong, was a professor at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro for 35 years. Ken attended Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro, 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.^[4]

He completed his undergraduate studies at Duke University 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

• 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

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

External links

• Ken Jeong at the Internet Movie Database
• 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