Ken Jeong: ‘I would make a terrible spy. I would betray someone very quickly.”
What is your opinion about the saying about not working with animals and children since you have worked with them Crystal the Capuchin monkey several times? fandango87
I’ve worked with Crystal on about a dozen projects: The Hangover, the TV show Community, and another film, The Zookeeper. She’s just a miracle. For example, in The Hangover, (director) Todd Phillips would give a direction or a note and it would probably take me three or four takes. Crystal could literally do it on the spot. I was abandoned by a monkey, and now I’m at peace with that.
You had a short but memorable role the US office as a member of Michael Scott’s improv class. How accurately did that improv class reflect your real-life experiences? RedCraig30
It gave me goosebumps because my favorite comedy of all time was The UK Office. It’s probably my favorite guest role of my career. The improv class was surreal. It was remarkably similar in that Steve Carell and the other actors improvised on top of the scripted scenes. It was very real and very sincere. You can watch Steve – one of my favorite actors – from the best seat in the house. It was a master class.
Is laughter the best medicine? CaptainLib
I think medicine is the best medicine. Laughter helps you through life. But – speaking like a real doctor – medicine is the best medicine.
When was the last time someone said, “Is there a doctor in the house?” TopTramp
I was on a plane and someone had some discomfort and for some reason there was concern. The flight attendant walked to the front of the cabin and said, “Is there a doctor on the plane?” I literally said – this is honest to God – “Well, you know, I used to be a doctor.” Fortunately there was a happy ending, because the person was completely fine and the flight attendant and I had a good laugh afterwards.
You’re in My Spy and the upcoming My Spy: The Eternal City. Would you be a good spy in real life? Richpelley
I would make a terrible spy. I have no spy skills. I am a weak man. I have a very weak mind. I would quickly betray someone if they were threatened. I would talk too much and reveal too many secrets and plans.
I love your reaction then Dick Van Dyke was revealed on The Masked Singer US. What was it like to see a comic hero? YodaknowsEverything
That’s probably my favorite reveal. I believe he was 97 at the time, so when he did Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious as part of his farewell elimination song, Nicole Scherzinger and I were in tears because he is such a global treasure. Performing on the UK Masked Singer was amazing. I grew up with Jonathan Ross, so it was great to hang out with him, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Joel Dommett. I’ve always admired British panel shows; they are so groundbreaking in the field of unscripted television.
Is Donald Glover really that cool, funny and talented? IscoBusquet
Donald Glover is perhaps the most talented person I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He’s an incredible actor, comedian and then of course there’s his music. During Community we shared a trailer. The Childish Gambino albums were written in his trailer. My daughter’s favorite artist is Childish Gambino. I score a lot of cool points with my daughter saying I worked with him.
What is most memorable hecklHave you had a stand-up gig, and how did you approach it? VerulamiumParkRanger
Silence is the worst hassle. If something doesn’t land, there’s a reason they call it “dying on stage” when you’re left with… what’s the opposite of love? It’s not hate. It’s apathy. Apathy is very hurtful, but that training on stage prepares you for the apathy of show business. You have to grow a thicker skin and learn to persevere and perform.
Have you ever been on one bachelor education party that ended just as badly as in The Hangover? TurangaLeela2
I got married 20 years ago, long before The Hangover. Our birthday is in September. My bachelorette party was in Vegas and it couldn’t have been tamer. Who would have thought that five years later I would be part of the biggest Vegas movie of all time and everyone would associate me with the raunchiness of it all? In real life, we were just a bunch of doctors saying, “We’re drinking. Wow!”
In the new ad you play a chicken for the mobile game Squad Busters. How did you get into character? Richpelley
I’d like to say I did a lot of research, but the only research I did was the fit to get into the big chicken outfit. Everyone looked at it and said, “You must have been so warm inside.” It was actually well ventilated, which was quite liberating.
Why does it seem to be such a natural connection between medicine and comedy? trp981
All my life I thought I would become a doctor. When I was in college I took my first acting class and I was hooked. I felt like I had a knack for it and a passion for it, but my training as a doctor and wanting to do comedy made me feel like such a weird person. So to come full circle and do my own sitcom as a doctor (ABC’s Dr. Ken) gave me a sense of completion. My wife was talking about it the other day. She randomly said, “I don’t think you would have reached the level you have reached if you hadn’t been a doctor.” Maybe it means I can look at my showbiz life with a sense of maturity that I otherwise wouldn’t have had in my current profession. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the past I have, because when it comes to art that comments on life, you have to have lived a life to be an artist.