| Jami Gong | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jameson Gong |
| Born | Chinatown, Manhattan |
| Nationality | American |
| Influences | Bob Hope |
| Notable works and roles | Producer and host of TakeOut Comedy |
| Website | [1] |
Jami Gong is a leading Chinese American stand-up comedian.[1]
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Jameson ("Jami") Gong was born in 1969 and raised in New York City's Chinatown.[2]
Jami's first attempt at stand-up comedy came on a dare while he attended Syracuse University.[3] After graduating from Syracuse with a geography degree, Jami moved back into his family's brownstone in Chinatown. He made a living selling sports souvenirs at Madison Square Garden, and in later years, working at a chain of men's clothing stores around New York City. At nights, Jami performed stand-up comedy, although he did not perform from 1993 to 1999 as a result of a poor performance that affected his confidence. He returned to stand-up after vowing to his sick grandmother that he would live life to the fullest.[4]
In 1999, Jami, along with several friends, created www.ChinatownNYC.com, a website featuring information about Chinatown.[5] Jami also became a licensed tour guide and conducted acclaimed[6] walking tours in Chinatown. Later, Jami made stand-up comedy his full-time profession. He has appeared at comedy clubs all over the world, as well as on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[7]
In 2005, Jami produced the first National Asian Comedy tour, and also took the tour overseas to Asia.[8] In February 2007, Jami founded The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong,[2] which is the first full-time comedy club in Asia.[9] In 2009, the club expanded its operations to conduct shows in Macau and the Philippines.
In 1995, Jami was knighted by the country of Malta.[10] In 2004, Jami carried the Olympic flame through Lower Manhattan as an official torchbearer for the 2004 Summer Olympics.[11]