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5 Asian Comedians Who Flipped the Script on Stand-Up
By Kelli Luu | 15 Jun, 2025

With jokes, timing, and talent, these five comics are turning the Asian American experience into the world's laughing stock.


Asian comedians used to be on the back end of punchlines, now they’re writing entire shows. Here’s 5 Asian comedians that are making the community feel seen. 

Number 1: Jimmy O. Yang

Born in Hong Kong and raised in Los Angeles, Yang started his career with the stage name “Lowball Jim” at his very first stand up performance when he was 21 years old. 

After graduating from the University of San Diego with a BA in economics, Yang moved back to Los Angeles and hustled his way to stardom. He was selling cars, DJing, and putting together free stand-up sets. 

Eventually Yang got into acting and has made multiple television appearances and scored roles in major films. Throughout his acting career, he has continued doing stand-up and even went on a tour after writing his book, How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents. 

Number 2: Margaret Cho

Cho is of Korean descent and was born in San Francisco where she spent her early years at her parents bookstore. She began doing shows in a nearby comedy club which then led her to acting and performing on university campuses. 

Despite a dark childhood, Cho transformed her pain into power and won the American Comedy Award for Best Female Comedian in 1993. 

She continued breaking barriers after starring in the ABC sitcom All American Girl that premiered in 1994. And her stand-up routines critique social and political concerns with raw and fearless comedy. 

Number 3: Ray Lau

Cantonese American, Ray Lau is a part of the new wave of digital comedians. His viral joke about a “Chipotle Bean Scheme” has been seen by millions online and he is taking everyone on TikTok back to their childhood. 

Lau grew up in Seattle and is the youngest child of Chinese immigrant parents. He earned his BA in Communications at the University of Washington and served as President of his fraternity. 

After moving to Los Angeles to pursue stand-up, Lau has been able to quickly build a following with his accurate accents and hilarious takes on growing up as an Asian American. 

Number 4: Leslie Liao

Once she graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Liao’s very first job was as an assistant producer at Universal Studios in comedy production. Being in this scene inspired her to want to try out her own stand-up. 

While she began performing at local comedy clubs, Liao also accepted a position at Netflix in the HR department. In 2023, her dedication paid off when she made her first television debut on the Jimmy Fallon show and the Netflix comedy showcase Verified Stand Up. 

The Orange County native was born to Chinese immigrant parents and isn’t afraid to use her own experiences to joke about the awkwardness of adulting, dating, and being Asian in California. 

Number 5: Arj Barker

Barker went from working as a deli custodian in San Francisco, to a clever stand-up comedian who’s taking his success international. 

Audiences have grown to love his silly wordplay and uncanny humor. With TV appearances on Comedy Central Presents and his role on the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords, Barker became a comedy star in the U.S. 

With the hopes of becoming an icon, Arj Barker took his talent to Australia and got busy, turning into a regular on Australian television with his cameos on every major T.V. show. 

Articles

Asian American Success Stories