Ken Jeong (born Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong) is an American actor, comedian, physician, producer, writer, and television personality.
He is best known for portraying Leslie Chow in The Hangover film trilogy and Ben Chang in the NBC comedy series Community.
Jeong has also appeared in Crazy Rich Asians, Ride Along 2, The Masked Singer, and numerous other films and television shows.
Before becoming a full-time entertainer, he practised medicine as a licensed physician, making him one of Hollywood’s most distinctive multi-talented personalities.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong
- Stage Name: Ken Jeong
- Born: July 13, 1969
- Age: 56 years old
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Korean (South Korean descent)
- Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Physician, Producer, Writer, Television Personality
- Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: D.K. Jeong and Young Jeong
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Tran Ho Jeong (m. 2004)
- Children: Zooey Jeong and Alexa Jeong
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $14 million USD
Early life and education
Ken Jeong was born on July 13, 1969, in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, by his parents, D.K. Jeong, a professor of economics, and Young Jeong. His ethnicity is Korean, with his parents having emigrated from South Korea.
He graduated from Walter Hines Page High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, and received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Ken completed his residency in internal medicine at the Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans.
Career
Ken Jeong began his professional career as an internal medicine physician while performing stand-up comedy during his spare time.
His success on the comedy circuit eventually led him to relocate to Los Angeles, where he balanced medicine with acting before deciding to pursue entertainment full-time.
Ken’s first major film role came in Knocked Up (2007), directed by Judd Apatow, where his memorable performance attracted widespread attention.
Jeong achieved international fame in 2009 with his breakout role as the eccentric Leslie Chow in The Hangover, a character he reprised throughout the trilogy.
He later became a fan favourite as Ben Chang in the critically acclaimed sitcom Community. Ken has served as a judge on The Masked Singer, starred in Dr Ken, voiced characters in several animated productions, and continued performing stand-up comedy.
His unique background as both a physician and entertainer has made him one of the most recognisable figures in American comedy.
Awards and Nominations
- MTV Movie Award – Best WTF Moment (The Hangover Part II)
- Screen Actors Guild Award nomination (ensemble cast)
- People’s Choice Award nominations
Social Media
- Instagram: @kenjeong
- Facebook: Ken Jeong
- X (formerly Twitter): @kenjeong
- TikTok: @kenjeong
Personal Life
Ken Jeong, 56, has been married to physician Tran Ho Jeong since 2004. The couple has twin daughters, Zooey Jeong and Alexa Jeong.
His wife’s successful battle with breast cancer inspired much of his advocacy for cancer awareness and influenced aspects of his television work. Jeong enjoys golf, travelling, supporting charitable causes, and spending time with his family.
Net Worth
Ken Jeong has an estimated net worth of $14 million USD. His income comes from film and television acting, stand-up comedy, producing, hosting, endorsement deals, voice acting, and appearances on reality television.
His long-running success across comedy, television, and film has made him one of the most recognisable Asian American entertainers in Hollywood.
Filmography
- Knocked Up
- Role Models
- The Hangover
- The Hangover Part II
- The Hangover Part III
- Community
- Ride Along 2
- Dr. Ken
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Avengers: Endgame
- The Masked Singer