Stand-up comic Joe Wong performs at a club in downtown Los Angeles. The Chinese-born Wong, 41, worked as a biomedical researcher before embarking on a comedy career full time. At first, audiences couldn’t understand his English. See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Comedian Joe Wong reviews his notes before a gig. He got a huge break by appearing on the “Late Show With David Letterman.” See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
The first time Wong performed stand-up at an open mike was at a sports bar in Somerville, Mass., where he struggled to be heard over the noise of bowling, pool and football games on the big-screen TVs. See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Wong onstage. A lot of his jokes revolve around his experience as an immigrant to America. See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
At the start of his career, Wong had a script. He followed it to the letter -- no matter how the audience reacted. That changed. See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Joe Wong relaxes before a performance. Over the years he tried hard to loosen up his style -- taking his time, perfecting his deadpan and drawing out his pauses for effect. See full story(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
