Helen Hong

Helen Hong (Korean: 헬렌 홍; born July 7, 1985) is an American standup comedian, actress, director, and producer. She has appeared in such works as Jane the Virgin, Parks and Recreation, and the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis. She has a regular spot on NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me and hosts a trivia podcast called Go Fact Yourself. She formerly hosted the podcast Little Ethnic Girls. She has a recurring role on Nickelodeon's The Thundermans and had a recurring role as Mrs. Song in Starz's Blunt Talk. Hong is widely known for her comedic NowThis videos.

Hong was raised by her parents, both immigrants to New York City from Korea. She was raised on the East Coast but spent some time abroad in Korea as well.

Hong has stated that she wasn't a standup comedy fan before a random shot of inspiration prompted her to take standup classes at New York's Caroline's on Broadway. However, during the course of the class, she realized that standup was what she wanted to pursue as a career.

Hong has performed at The Laugh Factory, Bonkerz, The Hollywood Improv,, Zanies Comedy Club, Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Flappers Comedy Club, The Icehouse Comedy Club, the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, and numerous other venues.

Hong has performed at events such as the Sedona International Film Festival, the Punchlines & Pumps Comedy Show at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, the New York Underground Comedy Festival, and The Great American Comedy Festival.

Abroad, Hong has performed in Puerto Rico for Armed Services Entertainment.

Hong considers herself a feminist and is a Bernie Sanders supporter.

• In 2014, BuzzFeed named Hong as one of "18 Comedians Who Could Take Over The Late Show"
• In 2011, The Huffington Post included her on their list "53 Of Our Favorite Female Comedians"