What is Ken Jeong Net Worth?
| Net Worth: | $14 million |
|---|---|
| Source of Wealth: | Comedian, Actor, TV Host, Producer, Author, and Physician |
| Date of Birth: | July 13th, 1969 |
| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Last Updated: | 2024 |
Ken Jeong Net Worth: Ken Jeong is a multifaceted Asian American comedian, actor, TV host, producer, author, and physician with an estimated net worth of about $14 million.
Aside from entertainment, he has made a great impact, using his voice to raise awareness for several important matters, especially Asian American representation in the media, including offering Scholarships to young medical students.
Early Life
Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1965 to Korean parents who migrated to the U.S.
His childhood was based on academics and music, while his parents wanted him to go the path of medicine.
Jeong performed exceedingly well in academics, graduating with a degree in biochemistry from Duke University. He further secured his Master’s Degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Despite being in the medical field, something in him still longed for comedy. He made jokes about stupid things within the hospital region.
He started telling jokes to his family and co-workers, expressing his witty opinions and unique humor before taking improv night classes.
Jeong’s parents initially objected to his newfound passion; he had to combine the burden of medical practice with showing up for comedy gigs.
His resilience and hard work began to pay off when he won a comedy competition, “Big Payoff,” which marked the kick-off of his career.
Career
Jeong landed a breakthrough role in the 2002 hit comedy sitcom “The Hangover,” starred as Leslie Chow.
His role in the film brought him to the international spotlight, establishing him as a talented comedian. Thereafter, he starred in popular movies like “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” and “Knocked Up”.
Following the success of these movies, Jeong secured other Television gigs, including coming up as a judge on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Last Comic Standing.”
He played the role of Chang, an erratic Spanish teacher in the acclaimed film “Community “. This film elevated his reputation and increased his fan base.
Jeong has dabbled into other paths aside from standup and acting. He was the host of the rebirth of “You Bet Your Life” and the co-author of “Foiled.” He produces and directs standup comedy and TV shows, including the release of “My Misdiagnosed Life,” his comedy album.
Ken Jeong net worth is estimated to be $14 million as of 2024.
Career Highlights
- 1995 – Jeong won the “Big Payoff” comedy competition (a starting point in his career ).
- 2002 – He played the role of Leslie Chow in “The Hangover” (and subsequent sequels)
- 2009-2015 – He starred as Chang in “Community”
- 2010 – He was featured in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Knocked Up”.
- He received the Asian Excellence Award for Comedy
- 2010–2012 – Jeong was a nominee for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Community”) three years in a row.
- 2011&2012 – NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Community”)
- 2012 – He received a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Villain (“Community”)
- 2018 – He became a judge at “The Masked Singer”.
- 2019 He joins the cast of “Crazy Rich Asians” which earned him an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for Best Comedic Performance (“Crazy Rich Asians”)
- 2023 – He produced and appeared in “American Auto.”
Awards and Achievements
Kendrick Jeong has gathered numerous achievements and awards from academics to his comedy career.
Jeong won the “Big Payoff” comedy competition (a starting point in his career ) in 1995, and in 2002, he played the role of Leslie Chow in “The Hangover” (and subsequent sequels).
He starred as Chang in “Community” from 2009 to 2015. Jeong featured in other popular films like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Knocked Up” earning the Asian Excellence Award for Comedy in 2010
Jeong was a nominee for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Community”) three years in a row (2010 – 2012).
He was nominated in 2011 and 2012 for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Community”). Additionally, he also received a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Villain (“Community”).
In 2018, he became a judge on “The Masked Singer,” and in 2019, he joined the cast of “Crazy Rich Asians,” which earned him an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for Best Comedic Performance (“Crazy Rich Asians”).
He produced and appeared in “American Auto” in 2023.
Personal Life
In 2004, Jeong married his university love, Tran Ho, and they have twin daughters together. He openly came out to talk about their struggles with fertilization and how his twins were conceived through vitro fertilization.
Family remains a top priority for Jeong despite facing different personal challenges coupled with the loss of his sister-in-law.
Jeong has publicly advocated against racial discrimination and American Asian representation in the media.
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Ken Jeong Net Worth
Ken Jeong net worth is estimated to be $14 million, his wealth is largely attributed to his successful career in the entertainment industry, spanning roles in hit films, television series, and stand-up comedy.
Jeong’s breakthrough in acting came with his role as Dr. Kuni in the comedy “Knocked Up” in 2007. However, he is perhaps best recognized for his portrayal of the character Mr. Chow in the “Hangover” film series, a role that significantly boosted his fame and career.
Jeong’s career has not been limited to acting and comedy. Before his rise to fame, he was a licensed physician, having earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His early career in medicine and comedy set the stage for his later success in the entertainment world.
Aside from his acting and comedy endeavors, Jeong’s income also comes from various other projects, including voice roles in animated films like “Despicable Me 2” and “Turbo,” and his participation in various marketing campaigns.
Charity
Jeong is a big supporter of organizations grounded in education and healthcare. He is part of the board of directors of the Asian American Medical Students Association.
He founded the Ken Jeong Scholarship Fund, which supports underserved students venturing into the medical field. Jeong is an active participant in fundraising events, using his platform to raise awareness on essential matters.
Real Estate
Jeong’s real estate holdings are relatively kept private, though he is said to own a large home in Los Angeles featuring a tennis court, swimming pool, and home theater.
Ken Jeong net worth is estimated to be about $14 million, this is inclusive of his wealth in real estate.
Notable Ken Jeong’s Quotes
Life Lessons to Learn From Ken Jeong’s Success
1. Follow Your Passion, Even If It’s a Road Less Traveled
Ken Jeong’s journey from being a physician to a successful comedian and actor is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. Despite having a secure career in medicine, Jeong dared to pursue his love for comedy and acting, a much less certain path.
This teaches us the importance of listening to our inner calling. Pursuing your passion might be risky and challenging, but it often leads to a fulfilling and rewarding life. Your unique path can also inspire others to follow their dreams, regardless of how unconventional they may seem.
2. Embrace Every Aspect of Your Identity
Jeong has never shied away from embracing his heritage and experiences, often using them as material in his comedy and acting. He shows us the importance of owning every part of our identity, including our cultural background and personal experiences.
This authenticity not only enriches his work but also resonates with a wide audience. The lesson here is to be true to who you are. Embracing and celebrating your identity, with all its facets, can be a powerful tool in connecting with others and creating a unique personal brand.
3. Balance Seriousness with Humor
As a physician and a comedian, Ken Jeong has mastered the art of balancing seriousness with humor. His ability to switch between these two modes, often in high-pressure situations, is a valuable skill. This duality teaches us that life requires a balance.
Taking work seriously is important, but so is the ability to find joy and laughter, even in challenging situations. Humor can be a coping mechanism, a way to connect with others, and a tool to bring lightness to otherwise heavy circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions – Ken Jeong Net Worth
How rich is Ken Jeong?
Kendrick Jeong has proven to be a multifaceted Asian-American comedian, actor, producer, author, and physician. He has grown to be successful in the entertainment and medical field, showing his versatile personality.
He is currently one of the judges on “The Masked Singer,” an American singing competition show, and hosts “I Can See Your Voice.”
Is Ken Jeong still a doctor?
Despite being a licensed California physician, Jeong quit practicing for a long time, focusing on his acting career.
What kind of doctor is Ken Jeong’s wife?
His wife, Tran, worked in the same hospital with him before he quit practicing. She is a licensed and practicing family physician.
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Final Thoughts
Ken Jeong’s evolution from a practicing medical doctor to a professional and reputable actor and comedian is a wake-up call to the young ones.
His story shows all dreams are achievable only if you set your mind and remain resilient and hard-working.
As of 2024, Ken Jeong net worth is estimated to be $14 million.