As the pandemic began to wind down in September 2021 a teary-eyed Ken Jeong told the class of 2020 during a rescheduled commencement address: “Whatever you need, I am always here for you.”
Jeong, who was born in Detroit in 1969, moved to Greensboro, N.C., at the age of four. He said his dream was to attend Duke and during his commencement speech regaled students with stories of his days on campus with his unique comedic flare. He described himself as “an everyday Duke student.”
While a sophomore, Jeong began his acting career taking part in Duke Drama and Hoof n’ Horn. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1990 and went on to earn his MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But while completing his residency in New Orleans, the acting bug continued to bite. In 1995, Jeong won the Big Easy Laff Off.
He moved to Los Angeles and performed regularly on improv stages and appeared on TV shows, all the while continuing to practice medicine.
He made his film debut in 2007 playing a doctor in Knocked Up and went on to star in a number of films including Role Models (2008) and The Hangover. He also starred in TV shows including one that mirrored his life — Dr. Ken, which he created, wrote and executive produced.
These days Jeong is a judge on the hit TV show The Masked Singer. His advice to the class of 2020 and all Duke students: “Find your passion, find your identity and use both to lead.”
