50 Facts About Ali Wong

Early Life and Education

Ali Wong's journey to comedy stardom began in San Francisco, California. Her upbringing and education played a significant role in shaping her unique comedic voice.

1. Birth and Family: Ali Wong was born on April 19, 1982, in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California, to Adolphus Wong, a Chinese-American anesthesiologist, and Tam "Tammy" Wong, a Vietnamese social worker who immigrated to the United States in 1960.

2. Family Background: Wong is the youngest of four children. Her father worked for Kaiser Permanente for 30 years, and her mother was a dedicated social worker.

3. Education: Wong attended San Francisco University High School, where she was student body class president. She graduated in 2000 and went on to major in Asian-American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

4. Academic Background: Her academic background in Asian-American studies provides a unique lens through which she explores topics such as race, identity, and societal expectations.

5. College Years: During her junior year at UCLA, Wong spent time in Hanoi, Vietnam, studying the Vietnamese language and gaining insight into her mother’s heritage.

6. Fulbright Program: After college, Wong studied in Vietnam through a Fulbright program, further deepening her connection to her mother’s roots.

Career Beginnings

Ali Wong's career in comedy started with humble beginnings but quickly gained momentum. Her early experiences laid the foundation for her future success.

7. Stand-Up Comedy: Ali Wong started performing stand-up comedy at the age of 23. She began by trying out at the Brainwash Café, a half-café, half-laundromat, and 100% homeless shelter.

8. Move to New York City: To hone her craft, Wong moved to New York City, where she performed up to nine sets a night in comedy clubs around the city.

9. Recognition: In 2011, Variety magazine included Wong in its annual “10 Comics to Watch” feature, catapulting her into the comedy spotlight.

10. Television Debut: Wong made her television stand-up debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2011, marking a significant milestone in her career.

11. Early TV Roles: She also made her TV acting premiere in the short-lived sitcom Breaking In (2011-12) and landed a recurring role in the series Are You There, Chelsea? (2012).

12. Film Debut: Wong made her film debut in director Oliver Stone’s action thriller Savages (2012).

13. Medical Drama: She played radiologist Dr. Lina Lark in the medical drama series Black Box (2014), opposite Kelly Reilly and Vanessa Redgrave.

14. Guest Roles: Wong guest-starred in three episodes of Inside Amy Schumer and appeared in VH1's Best Week Ever and MTV's Hey Girl in 2013.

Notable Works

Ali Wong's career is marked by several standout projects that have solidified her status as a comedy powerhouse.

15. Fresh Off the Boat: Wong worked as a writer on the popular sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, which premiered in 2015. The show follows the adventures of a Taiwanese American family adapting to suburban life in Florida in the 1990s. Randall Park, a main cast member, had suggested Wong for the writing role.

16. Baby Cobra: In 2016, Netflix released Wong’s stand-up special Baby Cobra, which was filmed in Seattle when she was seven months pregnant with her first child. The special was a star-making moment that united the tastes of unlikeliest fans.

17. American Housewife: From 2016 to 2021, Wong starred in the ABC sitcom American Housewife, showcasing her versatility in television acting.

18. Hard Knock Wife: In 2018, Wong released her second Netflix special, Hard Knock Wife, which was filmed in Toronto when she was seven months pregnant with her second child. The special delved deeper into motherhood and marriage, further cementing her reputation as a fearless comedian.

19. Always Be My Maybe: In 2019, Wong starred in the romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe, which she also wrote and produced. The film reunited her with Randall Park and Nahnatchka Khan, who directed the show Fresh Off the Boat.

20. Birds of Prey: Wong played assistant district attorney Ellen Yee in the 2020 DC Comics superhero film Birds of Prey.

21. Tuca & Bertie: In 2019, Wong began voicing the character Bertie on the animated show Tuca & Bertie, which she also executive produces. She has also lent her voice to projects like The Angry Birds Movie.

22. Beef: In 2023, Wong starred in the Netflix dark comedy series Beef, for which she won two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. This performance made her the first Asian woman to win a lead acting Emmy.

Personal Life

Ali Wong's personal life, including her marriage, children, and parenting experiences, has been a subject of interest and inspiration for many.

23. Marriage and Divorce: Ali Wong was married to Justin Hakuta for almost a decade before they split in April 2020. They finalized their divorce in May 2021.

24. Children: Wong has two daughters, Mari (born November 2015) and Nikki (born December 2017). Her pregnancy complications with Mari and her decision to be a stay-at-home mom for a brief period are documented in her book Dear Girls.

25. Motherhood: Despite the challenges of motherhood, Wong has found humor in her parenting journey. She has shared anecdotes about Mari adjusting to becoming a big sister to Nikki and has intentionally avoided joking about her daughters onstage to preserve their privacy and ensure their consent.

26. Family Adventures: As a touring stand-up comedian, Wong often travels with her daughters, combining work and family adventures on the road. She cherishes the time spent with her children, exploring different cities during the day and performing at night.

27. Book Author: In 2019, Wong authored the comedic memoir Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life. The book is written as a series of letters addressed to her daughters and details her admittedly “crazy” youth, giving advice on how to navigate the world.

28. Merch Table: In a strange twist of fate, Wong’s success has almost made the opposite scenario of her jokes come true. Her husband has quit his position as a VP of product at GoodRx to tour with her and their two children, sometimes even working at her merch table to lend a hand.

29. Nanny: In her stand-up special Hard Knock Wife, Wong talks about the privilege she has to have help to take care of her children, attributing her ability to “do it all” to having a nanny. She acknowledges that she wouldn’t be able to pull it off without hiring help and finds it frustrating that more rich and famous moms don’t talk about the fact that there is a staff of people helping them out.

30. Makeup Artist: Ali Wong is known for doing her own makeup, which adds to her unique stage persona and confidence.

31. Daughter’s Names: Wong named her daughter Mari after Marie Kondo, the woman behind the KonMari Method. This reflects her interest in organization and decluttering, which she has humorously discussed in her stand-up routines.

32. No More Children: In an interview, Wong mentioned that she has decided not to have any more children, focusing on her career and family life as it is.

Influences and Inspirations

Ali Wong's comedic style and career have been shaped by various influences and inspirations, contributing to her unique voice in the comedy world.

33. Eddie Murphy: Many famous comedians can look back at their pasts and tell you how they’ve always been obsessed with comedy, even from a very young age. Ali Wong admits that she wasn’t a comedy “nerd” growing up but had a favorite comedian as a kid: Eddie Murphy. She and her brother both liked him so much that they’d record his most famous SNL skits to rewatch. This influence is evident in her physical mannerisms and swaggering on-stage persona.

34. Comedy Style: Wong’s distinctive and raunchy comedic voice shines through in her stand-up specials. She never really relied on hacky ethnic jokes, instead focusing on her personal experiences and observations.

35. Writing Style: Her writing style, whether for TV shows or books, is characterized by her sharp wit and fearless humor. She has been praised for her original and distinctive voice, which sets her apart from other comedians.

Awards and Recognition

Ali Wong's talent and hard work have earned her numerous awards and recognitions, solidifying her place in the entertainment industry.

36. Golden Globe Awards: In 2024, Ali Wong won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the Netflix miniseries Beef, becoming the first Asian woman to win a Golden Globe in this category.

37. Emmy Awards: She also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role in Beef, making her the first Asian woman to win a lead acting Emmy.

38. Time Magazine: Wong was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and 2023, recognizing her significant impact on the entertainment industry.

39. Netflix Specials: Her Netflix stand-up specials, Baby Cobra (2016), Hard Knock Wife (2018), and Don Wong (2022), have been critically acclaimed and have helped establish her as one of the most influential comedians of our time.

40. Romantic Comedy: The romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe, which she wrote, produced, and starred in, was released on Netflix and in select theaters in 2019. This project showcased her versatility as a writer, producer, and actress.

41. Voice Work: In addition to her stand-up specials and acting roles, Wong has also done voice work for animated shows like Tuca & Bertie and films like The Angry Birds Movie.

42. Book Publication: Her book Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life was published in 2019 and has been well-received by readers and critics alike. The book is a series of letters addressed to her daughters, detailing her life experiences and offering advice on various aspects of life.

43. Fashion Week Appearance: On Mother’s Day in 2016, Wong spoke at and walked the runway during New York Fashion Week for Opening Ceremony’s show. This appearance highlighted her versatility beyond comedy and acting.

44. Comedy Underground Show: Wong appeared on Dave Attell’s Comedy Underground Show, showcasing her ability to perform in various comedy settings.

45. John Oliver’s New York Stand Up Show: She also appeared on John Oliver’s New York Stand Up Show, further solidifying her place in the comedy world.

46. Chelsea Lately: Wong was a cast member on Chelsea Lately, a popular late-night talk show hosted by Chelsea Handler. This role helped her gain more visibility in the television industry.

47. Best Week Ever: She appeared in VH1’s Best Week Ever, a comedy series that highlighted the best moments from various TV shows. This appearance demonstrated her ability to adapt to different comedic formats.

48. Hey Girl: Wong also appeared in MTV’s Hey Girl, a short-lived but memorable series. This role showcased her ability to perform in various comedic settings and formats.

49. Ugly Delicious: In 2018, Wong appeared in an episode of Ugly Delicious, a Netflix series hosted by David Chang. This appearance highlighted her willingness to explore different genres and formats beyond stand-up comedy.

50. Celebrity IOU: In 2022, Wong appeared in an episode of Celebrity IOU, where she participated in a renovation project. This appearance demonstrated her versatility and willingness to engage in various projects beyond comedy and acting.

Ali Wong's Impact on Comedy and Beyond

Ali Wong's journey from a San Francisco neighborhood to becoming a comedy powerhouse is nothing short of inspiring. Her fearless approach to stand-up, showcased in specials like Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife, has redefined what it means to be a female comedian. Wong's work on Fresh Off the Boat and her role in Always Be My Maybe highlight her versatility as a writer and actress. Beyond her professional achievements, her candidness about motherhood and personal life in Dear Girls offers a refreshing perspective. Winning awards like the Golden Globe and Emmy for her role in Beef cements her status as a trailblazer. Ali Wong's influence extends far beyond comedy, making her a significant figure in entertainment and a role model for many. Her story is a testament to hard work, authenticity, and breaking barriers.