50 Facts About Bowen Yang

Early Life and Family Background

Bowen Yang's journey to fame is both inspiring and fascinating. Let's dive into his early life and family background to understand the roots of this talented comedian.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on November 6, 1990, in Brisbane, Australia, Bowen Yang's family had emigrated from China in 1986.
2. Family Background: His father, Ruilin, was raised in a rural part of Inner Mongolia, China, and moved to Australia for higher education.
3. Mother's Profession: Yang's mother was a retired physician, previously an obstetrician-gynecologist in China before working in diagnostics.
4. Move to Canada: When Yang was six months old, the family moved to Canada, eventually settling in Montreal.
5. First Encounter with SNL: It was in Montreal where Yang first discovered Saturday Night Live (SNL), a show that would later become a significant part of his life.

Education and Early Interests

Bowen Yang's educational journey and early interests played a crucial role in shaping his career in comedy.

6. Chinese Sunday School: Yang attended Chinese Sunday school and spoke Mandarin at home.
7. Move to Colorado: At the age of nine, his family moved to Aurora, Colorado.
8. High School: Yang attended Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado.
9. Improv Comedy Group: His high school calculus teacher, Adrian Holguin, coached the school's improvisational comedy group, Spontaneous Combustion.
10. Academic Achievements: Yang achieved a near-perfect score on the ACT (a 35) and a 2200 on his SAT, graduating in 2008.

Personal Milestones and Challenges

Bowen Yang faced several personal milestones and challenges that shaped his identity and career.

11. Homecoming King: Yang was named homecoming king in high school.
12. Yearbook Prediction: He was voted "Most Likely to Be a Cast Member on Saturday Night Live" in his high school's yearbook.
13. Coming Out: At 17, Yang's father discovered he was gay from an "open chat window" on the family's computer.
14. Parents' Reaction: His parents were not receptive, stating that such things "did not happen in China."
15. Gay Conversion Therapy: Yang's father arranged for him to attend eight sessions of gay conversion therapy, which he agreed to undergo.

Career in Comedy

Bowen Yang's career in comedy began with stand-up and eventually led him to the prestigious stage of Saturday Night Live.

16. Stand-Up Comedy: Yang began performing stand-up comedy, honing his skills and gaining recognition.
17. Joining SNL: In September 2018, he joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live ahead of its 44th season.
18. Promotion to On-Air Cast: A year later, in 2019, Yang was promoted to on-air cast status for SNL's 45th season.
19. Emmy Nomination: He became the first featured player to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2021.
20. Repertory Status: Before the 47th season, Yang was promoted to repertory status, solidifying his position as a core member of the cast.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Bowen Yang is not just a comedian; he is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a voice for many.

21. Openly Gay: Yang is openly gay and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
22. Speaking Out: He has spoken publicly about the harm caused by gay conversion therapy.
23. Podcasting Career: Yang co-hosts a comedy pop-culture podcast called Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers.
24. Forbes Recognition: In January 2019, Yang was named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list.
25. Television Appearances: He has appeared in several television series, including Girls5Eva, Ziwe, and The Other Two.

Film Roles and Iconic SNL Skits

Bowen Yang's versatility extends to film roles and iconic SNL skits that have left a lasting impression.

26. Film Roles: Yang has appeared in LGBTQ romantic comedies Fire Island and Bros, both released in 2022.
27. Moo Deng Skit: Yang's portrayal of Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippo, gained significant attention and praise.
28. Hosting SNL: Yang has hosted SNL several times, including a memorable episode where he played Charli XCX in a sketch called “The Talk Talk Show.”
29. Guest Stars: The 50th season premiere of SNL featured various guest stars, including Jean Smart.
30. Jean Smart’s Performance: Smart's performance was praised for her crackerjack skill at one-liners.

Memorable Sketches and Impressions

Bowen Yang's talent for impressions and memorable sketches has made him a standout on SNL.

31. Eric Adams Sketch: Devon Walker played embattled New York City mayor Eric Adams, with Yang contributing to the sketch.
32. Michael Che’s Jokes: The episode featured Michael Che’s jokes, which were criticized for being lazily offensive.
33. Dana Carvey’s Return: The premiere saw the return of Dana Carvey, who carved out an indelible impression of President Biden.
34. James Austin Johnson’s Trump Impression: Johnson continued his role as former President Trump, with Yang as running mate JD Vance.
35. Bowen Yang’s Portrayal of JD Vance: Yang’s portrayal of JD Vance was notable for its humor and accuracy.

Collaborations and Guest Appearances

Bowen Yang has collaborated with various artists and made guest appearances that showcase his range.

36. Devon Walker’s Michael Strahan Impression: Walker impressed as host Michael Strahan, bringing authenticity to the role.
37. Haliey Welch’s Hawk Tuah Girl Impression: Welch’s impression of Hawk Tuah Girl was memorable for its humor and energy.
38. Jim Gaffigan’s Tim Walz Impression: Gaffigan made a perfect Tim Walz, capturing the voice and midwesternisms.
39. Andy Samberg’s Doug Emhoff Impression: Samberg was goofy and playful as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
40. James Austin Johnson’s Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Impression: Johnson riffed on Sean 'Diddy' Combs, adding to the sketch's absurdity.

Impact on SNL and Beyond

Bowen Yang's impact on SNL and the entertainment industry extends beyond his performances.

41. Dana Carvey’s Return to SNL: Carvey's return was a highlight, as he once again carved out an indelible impression of President Biden.
42. Devon Walker’s Michael Strahan Impression: Walker's impression brought authenticity to the role.
43. Haliey Welch’s Hawk Tuah Girl Impression: Welch's impression was memorable for its humor and energy.
44. Jim Gaffigan’s Tim Walz Impression: Gaffigan's impression captured the voice and midwesternisms of the character.
45. Andy Samberg’s Goofy Doug Emhoff Impression: Samberg's portrayal added humor to the sketch.
46. James Austin Johnson’s Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Riff: Johnson's riff added to the sketch's absurdity.
47. Dana Carvey’s Return to SNL: Carvey's return was a highlight, as he once again carved out an indelible impression of President Biden.
48. Devon Walker’s Michael Strahan Impression: Walker's impression brought authenticity to the role.
49. Haliey Welch’s Hawk Tuah Girl Impression: Welch's impression was memorable for its humor and energy.
50. Bowen Yang’s Impact on SNL: Yang's impact extends beyond his performances, helping shape the show's comedic direction.

Bowen Yang's Remarkable Journey

Bowen Yang's rise in the entertainment world is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days in Brisbane to becoming a standout on Saturday Night Live, he's shown immense talent and resilience. His journey wasn't always easy, especially dealing with challenges like gay conversion therapy. Yet, Yang's perseverance and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in comedy. His work on SNL, memorable skits, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights highlight his multifaceted contributions. Beyond TV, his roles in films like Fire Island and Bros showcase his versatility. Yang's impact extends to podcasting with Las Culturistas, where he continues to engage and entertain. Bowen Yang's story is a testament to the power of authenticity and hard work, making him a true icon in modern entertainment.