Jo Koy
Born 1971 · Age 54
Filipino-American stand-up comedian and actor known for Netflix and Comedy Central specials, sold-out arena tours, film roles, and hosting the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth
Born Joseph Glenn Herbert at Misawa Air Base, Japan, to an American father and Filipina mother.
Family lived in Spanaway/Tacoma, Washington
Family moved from Spanaway to Tacoma; Jo attended Spanaway Lake High School then Foss High School in Tacoma (approximate timing during childhood/teen years).
Adopted stage name 'Jo Koy'
Anecdote: in 1989 his aunt called 'Jo Ko, eat!' which he misheard as 'Koy' and adopted as his stage name.
Began performing stand-up (open-mic nights)
Left UNLV and began performing at Las Vegas coffee houses and open mic nights, beginning his stand-up career.
Rented Huntridge Theater and self-promoted shows
Rented the Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas and went door-to-door to sell tickets — early self-promotion and hustling for audiences.
Regular gigs in Las Vegas (Catch a Rising Star)
Took regular appearances including Catch a Rising Star at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (approximate early-career milestone).
Appeared on Showtime at the Apollo
Television appearance: Showtime at the Apollo (Episode #15.6).
Birth of son Joseph Herbert Jr.
Jo Koy's son Joseph Jr. was born at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
Film role in Virginia
Acted in independent film 'Virginia' as Chester Blind — one of his earlier film roles.
Comedy Central Presents (half-hour special)
Featured in Comedy Central Presents 'Jo Koy' (television half-hour special).
Comedy Central special: Don't Make Him Angry
Released a Comedy Central stand-up special titled 'Don't Make Him Angry'.
Became recurring panelist on Chelsea Lately
Joined E!'s 'Chelsea Lately' as a frequent roundtable guest and panelist (filmography lists 2009–2014).
Television appearances on major late-night shows
Appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and other late-night programs (various years; helped national profile).
Comedy special 'Lights Out'
Released stand-up special 'Lights Out'.
Divorce finalization from Angie King (reported 2013)
Jo Koy and Angie King divorced (date shown as 2013 in available sources).
Guest/TV appearances across networks
Appearances on TV series and panels including premieres and guest roles (ongoing career TV work).
Netflix Special: Live from Seattle – Released
Released 'Jo Koy: Live from Seattle' on Netflix; widely credited with boosting his national/international profile.
Record at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall (Honolulu)
Broke a record selling 23,000 tickets across 11 sold-out shows at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu; Honolulu mayor proclaimed Nov 24 'Jo Koy Day' (site reports this in 2017 era).
Sold-out Warfield & Club Regent milestones (official site claims)
Official site reports being the only comedian to sell out 6 shows at The Warfield (SF) and breaking attendance at Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg (4 sold-out shows).
Created Jo Koy Foundation (philanthropy, site-referenced)
Sources indicate Jo Koy Foundation produced fundraising comedy shows for organizations like Children's Hospital of Orange County (date not precisely specified).
Award: Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at Just For Laughs
Received the 'Stand-Up Comedian Of The Year' award at the 2018 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.
Film role in Wake.
Acted in the film 'Wake.' released in 2018 (role: Peter Lewis).
Sold-out run at San Diego Civic Theatre (5 shows)
Official site cites selling out 5 consecutive shows at San Diego Civic Theatre — the most consecutive sold-out shows for a comedian there.
Frequent guest on The Adam Carolla Show
Regular guest appearances on The Adam Carolla Show (ongoing across years; specific dates not all listed).
Sold-out shows records in multiple venues (San Diego, Warfield, Winnipeg, Brea Improv)
Reportedly sold out 5 shows at San Diego Civic Theatre, 6 shows at The Warfield (SF), broke Club Regent Winnipeg attendance, and sold 17,000+ tickets across 30+ shows at Brea Improv in a year (official site claims).
Plans to record next special from Just Kidding tour
As of Sept 2019, plans were being made to record his next Netflix special from his 2020 Just Kidding world tour at the Blaisdell.
Netflix special: Comin' In Hot (filmed, released)
Released 'Jo Koy: Comin' in Hot' (filmed before ~8,000 fans at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu).
Billboard #1: Live From Seattle album peak
Reached #1 on the Billboard Comedy Charts for his 'Live From Seattle' album (jokoy.com reports #1 in 2019).
Performed closing shows at Aspen Laugh Festival
Performed two shows at Wheeler Opera House for the closing night of Aspen Laugh Festival (Feb 23, 2019).
Just Kidding World Tour (international legs)
The Just Kidding World Tour included stops in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines (tour activity in/around 2019–2020).
Film role: Anastasia: Once Upon a Time
Played Vladimir Lenin in 'Anastasia: Once Upon a Time' (listed 2020).
Netflix special: In His Elements (released)
Netflix released 'Jo Koy: In His Elements', a special showcasing Filipino American talent (June 12, 2020).
Public relationship with Chelsea Handler begins
Jo Koy and Chelsea Handler were publicly linked in 2021 (relationship lasted into 2022).
Netflix special: Live from the LA Forum (released)
Released 'Jo Koy: Live from the LA Forum' on Netflix (2022).
Starred in 'Easter Sunday' (studio feature)
Starred as lead Joe Valencia in Universal Pictures' 'Easter Sunday', a film inspired by his life (2022 release).
Rise for Comedy festival: $75,000 donation raised
At the inaugural Rise for Comedy festival, Jo Koy and Dan Lin helped raise a $75,000 donation for Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).
Tattooed in Baguio by Wilma 'Ate Wamz' Gaspili
Received an arm tattoo in Baguio (at Igorot's Charm Cafe) by mambabatok Wilma Gaspili (2023).
Voice/ensemble roles in multiple 2023 films
Appeared in 'The Monkey King' (voice), 'Haunted Mansion' (daytime bartender), and voice roles listed for 2023 projects.
Death of stepfather Fredrick Harrison
Jo Koy's stepfather Fredrick Harrison, a retired Army Sergeant, died in 2023; Jo eulogized his service and decorations.
Practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Reported as practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu (noted as of January 2023).
Announced as host of the 81st Golden Globe Awards
Deadline reported Jo Koy would host the 81st Golden Globe Awards (announcement Dec 21, 2023).
Netflix special: Live from Brooklyn (released)
Released the Netflix special 'Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn' (listed in filmography for 2024).
Net worth publicly estimated (~2024)
Several sources estimate Jo Koy's net worth around $15 million as of 2024.
Voice role in The Tiger's Apprentice
Listed as voice actor (Rooster) in 'The Tiger's Apprentice' (2024 release).
Hosted 81st Golden Globe Awards (performance and backlash)
Hosted the Golden Globes; monologue received heavy criticism from press and viewers; Jo later responded in Good Morning America interview.
Film/TV projects and future releases listed
Multiple upcoming/announced projects (e.g., 'The Last Resort' listed for 2026) shown in filmography updates and press notes.
Official site: ongoing 'Funny is Funny' world tour
Official site notes ongoing touring activity, including 'Funny is Funny World Tour' and high-volume ticket sales records reiterated (site updated 2025).
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