Jo Koy is already a household name to comedy aficionados, but on Sunday, he’ll be elevated even further as host of the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
“I’m now living something that I would watch as a kid, something that indirectly inspired me to do what I do, seeing everyone from Bob Hope to Billy Crystal to Whoopi Goldberg do the Oscars, and Ricky (Gervais) and Tina (Fey) doing the Globes, he told USA TODAY. “Now, I’m in the captain’s seat and I’m loving it.”
It’s a good time to get to know Koy as we get set for a night of celebrating the best in film and television:
1
Jo Koy is not his real name
His full name is actually Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr. His dad is American and his mom is Filipino. And as you can see from his routine above (WARNING: NSFW language is in there), you’ll learn that it came from his mom calling out to him that dinner was ready. He liked how it sounded, so that became his stage name.
2
He's starred in a bunch of television and movies
Aside from his many comedy specials, he’s starred in Easter Sunday, Haunted Mansion, The Monkey King and Leo.
3
By the end of 2024, he will have SIX Netflix specials
Dude is prolific. He’s got four already on the streaming platform: Live From Seattle, Live From the LA Forum, Comin’ in Hot and In His Elements. Two more are on the way later this year.
4
He once dated Chelsea Handler
The two comedians announced in July of 2022 that they were no longer together.
5
He got the Golden Globes job at the very last minute
The announcement came on December 21 … and the ceremony is on January 7. From Variety:
“When they asked me, it was an immediate yes, I couldn’t believe this was happening,” Koy tells Variety. “And then I woke up and went, ‘wait a minute. I have two weeks to write jokes!
“Actually, I think I had less than two weeks because I didn’t get my writers until five days later,” he adds. “When Tina [Fey] and all those other hosts got the gig, they had months to prepare. I’m literally looking at just days! It’s been a crash course in hosting.”
