Filipino-American Comedian Earns Honorary Doctorate
Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy recently achieved a significant milestone when he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by California State University, Los Angeles. This recognition came during the university’s graduation ceremony, where the institution celebrated his accomplishments and shared the news on social media.
In his acceptance speech, Jo Koy reflected on the challenges he faced growing up in an era with limited Asian-American representation in media. He recalled, “It’s 36 years. It started 1989. [I was] 18 years old, you watch TV, you don’t have many people who inspire you especially if you are a mixed kid trying to fight for his identity. I didn’t have many to look up on TV for inspiration so it was hard. It was not easy getting where you wanna go.”
Jo Koy Shares Story of Resilience and Identity
He went on to emphasize the hard work and sacrifices required to reach his goals. “It takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of sacrifices, it takes a lot of falling flat on your face and sometimes in those moments when you fall flat on your face that’s when you find out who you really are. That’s when you like, ‘Okay, I can do this,'” he said.
Jo Koy encouraged the graduating class to persevere through difficulties, highlighting that struggles often reveal one’s true passion and determination. “That’s when you build the grit, and the heart, and the strength to keep pushing,” he added.
Career Highlights and Upcoming Projects
Born to an American father and a Filipino mother, Jo Koy has become a household name through his comedy specials streaming on Netflix, including “Jo Koy: Live from Seattle,” “Jo Koy: In His Elements,” and “Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn.”
In addition to his comedy career, Jo Koy is featured in the Hollywood film “The Last Resort,” which was filmed in the Philippines. He recently completed filming his scenes in Palawan, further showcasing his connection to his Filipino roots.
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