Jo Koy
Jo Koy | |
---|---|
gender differences | |
Spouse |
Angie King (div. 2013) |
Children | 1 |
Website | jokoy |
Joseph Glenn Herbert (born June 2, 1971[1][3]), known professionally as Jo Koy, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was a frequent panelist on E!'s late night show Chelsea Lately. He has since had a total of six comedy specials released by Comedy Central and Netflix. In 2024, Koy hosted the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
Early life
Koy was born to a Caucasian father who was in the United States Air Force stationed in the Philippines when he married Koy's Filipina mother.[4] His family moved from Spanaway, Washington, to Tacoma, Washington, and then to Las Vegas soon after he finished high school in Tacoma. He originally attended Spanaway Lake High School and then moved to Foss High School in Tacoma. They moved to Las Vegas to be near his ailing grandmother. Jo Koy enrolled in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but dropped out to pursue stand-up comedy.[1]
Koy has said that his stage name comes from a nickname his family gave him when he was growing up.[5] It was said during his stand-up routine in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 22, 2019, that back in 1989 he was talking to his cousin about making a stage name when his aunt called him to come to dinner, shouting "Jo Ko, eat!" (Ko means "my" in Tagalog, so Jo Ko means "my Jo"), which he misheard as "Koy," and, deciding that it was a good name, has used it ever since.
Koy credits his mother for his comedic and acting talents. He frequently tells stories about her in his comedy shows. She encouraged him to participate in school talent shows and to hold impromptu performances for his family and friends. This led to performances at a Las Vegas coffee house and inspired a move to Los Angeles.
Career
In 1994, Koy began his stand-up career at a comedy club in Las Vegas. Soon he moved from open mic night to a regular spot on the show
Koy has starred in other TV stand-up specials like Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza! Jo Koy has won the
Koy started a podcast together with comedian and TV host
On June 12, 2020, Netflix released Jo Koy: In His Elements, a comedy special featuring Filipino American comedians, DJs, and B-boys.[8] On July 28, 2022, Koy, alongside film producer Dan Lin appeared in the Rise for Comedy festival, where they raised a $75,000 donation to the nonprofit Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).[9]
On December 21, 2023, Koy was announced as host of the 81st Golden Globe Awards.[10]
2024 Golden Globe Awards
Koy's monologue as host of the
Hershal Pandya of Vulture wrote "Comedians have tanked at the Golden Globes before but none quite as spectacularly as Koy."
Koy responded to the criticism in an interview with Good Morning America, admitting, "I'd be lying if I said the backlash didn't hurt", but also admitted, "I had fun. You know, it was a moment that I'll always remember. Hosting is just a tough gig. Yes, I'm a stand-up comic but that hosting position it's a different style. I kind of went in and did the writer's thing. We had 10 days to write this monologue. It was a crash course. I feel bad, but I got to still say I loved what I did."[25] Since his ceremony comedians Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg and Kevin Hart, and radio host Howard Stern have expressed sympathy towards Koy stating that the job of a comedian isn't always easy, especially when hosting an awards show.[26][27][28]
Influences
Koy has named Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal,[1] Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, and Steve Martin as his comedy influences.[29] In 2022, Blogtalk with MJ Racadio named him one of the "75 Most Influential Filipino-Americans".[30]
Personal life
Koy has one son, born April 21, 2003, from a previous relationship with Angie King. Koy and his son reside in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California.
On September 27, 2021, Koy and Chelsea Handler posted an official Instagram post of their relationship.[31][32] In July 2022, they announced their breakup on Handler's Instagram, which occurred in June.[citation needed]
Koy is a practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[33]
Charity work
On August 4, 2009, The Jo Koy Foundation hosted its first philanthropic event in "Hilarity for Charity" a stand-up comedy show featuring Koy, along with special surprise comedic guests. The show took place at The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, located in the heart of Citywalk, Universal City, California. Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to The Children's Hospital of Orange County.[citation needed]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Virginia | Chester Blind | |
2018 | Wake. | Peter Lewis | |
2019 | Anastasia: Once Upon a Time | Vladimir Lenin | |
2022 | Easter Sunday | Joe Valencia | |
2023 | Haunted Mansion | Daytime Bartender | |
2023 | The Monkey King | Benbo (voice) | |
2023 | Leo | Coach Komura (voice) | [34] |
2024 | The Tiger's Apprentice | Rooster (voice) |
Stand-up specials
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Don't Make Him Angry | Himself | Comedy Central Stand-Up Special |
2012 | Lights Out | ||
2017 | Live from Seattle | Netflix Original Comedy Special | |
2019 | Comin' in Hot | ||
2020 | In His Elements | Netflix Original Variety Special | |
2022 | Live from the LA Forum | Netflix Original Comedy Special |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Family Tools | Berrick | Episode: "Pilot" |
2020 | Mr. Iglesias | Bob | Episode: "Food for Thought" |
2021 | Metal Shop Masters | Himself (host) | |
2022 | Reindeer in Here | Hawk (voice) | Television special[35] |
2023 | Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens | Bob (voice) | Episode: "Love & Order" |
2024 | 81st Golden Globe Awards | Himself (host) | Television special |
References
- ^ a b c d e f Weatherford, Mike (August 21, 2009). "INTERVIEWS: Comic Jo Koy finds funny material right at home without going for usual targets". Las Vegas Review Journal. Archived from the original on May 7, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "Biography - The Official Website of Comedian JO KOY". Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Jo Koy Facebook page". facebook.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ White, Carrie (January 7, 2010). "Filipino funnyman Jo Koy stops in Virginia Beach". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ Nguyen, Joe (June 19, 2008). "Face2Face with Jo Koy". AsiaXpress.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
- ^ a b Tusing, David (January 18, 2020). Jo Koy in Dubai: 'Netflix changed everything' Archived February 8, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Gulf News.
- ^ Welby, Augustus (September 12, 2019). Comedian Jo Koy gambled everything for his career – and it paid off Archived March 20, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Beat.
- ^ "Jo Koy: In His Elements". Netflix.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Tagncay, Jazz (July 29, 2022). "Jo Koy, Dan Lin Close Inaugural Rise for Comedy Festival With $75,000 Donation to Filipino Nonprofit". Variety. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (December 21, 2023). "Jo Koy To Host 81st Golden Globes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "Twitter Had a Lot to Say About Jo Koy's Painfully Awkward Golden Globes Monologue". Yahoo News. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy's Biggest Mistake at the Golden Globes". The Atlantic. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ Curto, Justin (January 7, 2024). "Jo Koy's Golden Globes Monologue Might Send the Writers Back on Strike". Vulture. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy's Golden Globes Monologue Might Send the Writers Back on Strike". January 7, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy Couldn't Stay the Course". January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Golden Globes Host Jo Koy Booed During Monologue, Blames His Writers". Rolling Stone. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Golden Globes Monologue Was Bad—But One Joke in Particular Sank Jo Koy". Time Magazine. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Irshad, Zara. "Jo Koy responds to 'sexist' Taylor Swift Golden Globes jokes". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy's Monologue in Full as Golden Globes Host Savaged Online". Newsweek. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Ushe, Naledi. "Jo Koy's Golden Globes opening monologue met with blank stares: 'I got the gig 10 days ago!'". USA Today. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Golden Globes host Jo Koy shades Robert De Niro with joke about becoming father aged 79". The Independent. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Golden Globes Host Jo Koy Sparks Fierce Backlash: 'Disaster'". Newsweek. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "See '1923' Stars Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford React to Jo Koy's "Cringeworthy" Golden Globes Monologue". Country Living. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "17 Celebrities Who Clearly Couldn't Hide How Much They Didn't Like The Golden Globes Opening Monologue". Buzzfeed. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Golden Globes Host Jo Koy Confronts Bad Reviews, Admits Taylor Swift Joke Was 'Weird' and 'Flat': 'I'd Be Lying' If I Said Backlash 'Doesn't Hurt'". Variety. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Steve Martin Is Told He's 'Out of His League' After Defending Jo Koy Golden Globes Gig: 'Let the Women Take This One'". The Wrap. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy Defended by Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin After Golden Globes Backlash: "Hosting Gigs Are Just Brutal"". The Hollywood Reporter. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Howard Stern, Kevin Hart Defend Jo Koy: 'Hollywood Has No Sense of Humor About Itself'". Los Angeles Magazine. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jo Koy Names His Stand-Up Heroes, and the Choices Might Surprise You". August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Comedian Jo Koy leads 75 Most Influential Filipino Americans list". goodnewspilipinas.com. October 18, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Redkar, Surabhi (December 28, 2022). "Chelsea Handler explains why she split from Jo Koy; 5 key details about their relationship timeline". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (September 28, 2021). "Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy are Instagram official". CNN. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- ^ Burne, Kathrine (January 25, 2023). "Standup Comedian Jo Koy Starts Training BJJ With Ivan Jennings". JitsMagazine. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Everything You Need to Know About Leo". Tudum. August 23, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (November 3, 2022). "'Reindeer in Here' Announces Sledful of Stars for Voice Cast". Animation Magazine. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
External links
- Jo Koy at IMDb
- Official website
- Comedy Central profile Archived October 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine