Jami Gong

Jami Gong is a Chinese American stand-up comedian.[1]

Jami Gong
Birth nameJameson Gong
BornChinatown, Manhattan
MediumStand-up, Producer
NationalityAmerican
Notable works and rolesProducer and host of TakeOut Comedy
Websitewww.takeoutcomedy.com

Biography

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 autism-induced 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, 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.

Miscellaneous

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]

References
  1. ""Featured Profiles", Aprofiler". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  2. "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004
  3. http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
  4. "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004
  5. http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
  6. http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/10/1/163053/175/travel/iPod+Audio+Tours+Taking+Over+New+York
  7. http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
  8. http://www.coolinyourcode.com/jami-gong/
  9. "Stand and Deliver", South China Morning Post
  10. http://www.takeoutcomedy.com
  11. "PUBLIC LIVES; Carrying a Torch for Chinatown, and for Comedy", The New York Times June 18, 2004


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