Hey Reddit, Ken Jeong from Pain & Gain Knocked Up, Role Models, Pineapple Express, and The Hangover. Ask me anything.

Proof it's me: https://twitter.com/kenjeong/status/323119844096626690

Hey everybody, it's time to get a quick pump so I have to step away. I want to thank everybody for participating this has been great. REMEMBER DON'T BE A DON'T-ER, DO BE A DO-ER!

If you are looking for more information on Pain & Gain check out http://www.painandgainmovie.com. Don't forget to see the film in theaters April 26th!

Comments: 4551 • Responses: 17  • Date: 

iamjacks_____2157 karma

How did you make the switch from being a doctor to being an actor? What inspired you to make the switch? Do you still practice?

DrKenJeong2918 karma

I always wanted to be an actor, but I didn't really think it was realistic. I booked a role on "Knocked Up" as Dr. Kuni, and that was my big break. My wife encouraged me to pursue acting full-time after that, and I really owe this all to her.

czere1949 karma

Has there ever been any difficulty in having been a doctor married to a doctor and then having one of you leave the profession?

I remember being very moved watching you talk about your wife's battle with cancer. Hope she and your children are doing well!

DrKenJeong2529 karma

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm happy to say my wife is still cancer-free and my kids are doing great!!!! That is more important than anything in the world to me.

carpadium1731 karma

Who is your favourite person to perform improv with?

My first memory of you was from the improv class in "The Office".

DrKenJeong2310 karma

my favorite guest spot on television ever was being in Michael Scott's improv group on "The Office."

I was only on set for a few hours, but I remember every moment.

BrodyApproved1658 karma

How would you best describe the emotions you felt during the "naked trunk scene" in The Hangover?

DrKenJeong2590 karma

emotionally naked

engineer_131425 karma

In any way has your career as a physician helped you in your comedy/acting career?

DrKenJeong2250 karma

indirectly it has. Long hours being on call in the hospital prepared me for occasional long hours on a set.

edeainfj1321 karma

When you worked with Adam Scott, did you fall in love with him a little bit? Please be honest.

DrKenJeong1923 karma

I love Adam Scott so much.

Rykersmom1136 karma

Big fan here ! I love your work . I'm also very appreciative that you are taking the time to do this AMA . Here are my questions :

1.) Did you enjoy LARPing in "Role Models" , and DND in "Community" ? Do you enjoy things like that as a hobby ?

2.) How much fun did you have in the Hangover Trilogy ? What is Zach Galifianakis like outside of movies and stand-up ?

DrKenJeong2072 karma

I loved playing King Argotron in "Role Models" and DND on "Community" may be my favorite episode featuring Chang.

No, I don't LARP or do DND but I did prepare extensively for Role Models going to LARPing events, reading books, and watching DARKON multiple times.

The Hangover means everything to me. Any work I have gotten in the last 4 years is only because of the Hangover. Zach Galifianakis is the funniest man alive. I love him so much.

moelester518900 karma

Are the cast of community as funny as they seem? Who would you consider the funniest?

DrKenJeong2123 karma

The cast of Community is the most talented cast in television. Every single person could easily lead their own show. The selflessness that the cast demonstrates trickles down from Joel McHale. He is one of my favorite people in the world. Danny Pudi is the nicest man you could ever meet and a father of twins just like me :) Gillian Jacobs' Britta is soooo fresh and brilliant and it's due to her performance... Gillian as Britta probably makes me laugh more than anyone. Ali Brie is a star, and she never ceases to amaze me. Yvette Nicole Brown is so awesome, sweet, lovely, talented and she's my BUBBY :)))) I share a trailer with Childish Gambino and I've been privileged to hear him create music before anybody else listens to it :))) Jim Rash, what can you say about him? The most complete talent I've ever seen, and the most humble Oscar winner I've ever met. It's safe to say I have become a better person and a better actor because of ALL of them, and I love them all so much.

DrKenJeong1942 karma

I am forever grateful to Dan Harmon, one of the most brilliant minds I've ever met in my life, not just in comedy, for creating SeƱor Chang because it has changed my life. Community has made me a better actor & person.

flambyisyou564 karma

And Chevy?

Octopus_Tetris358 karma

The omission was on purpose, I'm sure.

Tezasaurus806 karma

Answering a question about their Community co-stars and not mentioning Chevy at all is my favorite running joke in these AMAs.

DrKenJeong1818 karma

Well, let me Chang that. I LOVE Chevy & never ever had a problem with him. He's one of the reasons I wanted to get into comedy in the first place. Fletch, Caddyshack & Vacation are iconic performances, and they always inspire me. As an actor and as a friend of his, I wish him nothing but the best. He has the most wonderful wife in Jayni and my wife & I absolutely love the Chase family.

neo7781 karma

How was working with Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg?

Chang is one of my favorite characters from Community, especially in season 1. Which season Chang did you think was the best and fun?

And you did that naked scene in Hangover on purpose and not according to the script right?

DrKenJeong1505 karma

I love Mark. Meeting and working with him is definitely a career highlight for me. He is an amazing person as well as an amazing actor. I would love to work with him more in the future.

The same goes for Dwayne. No one works as hard as he does, balancing his film work and WWE duties. And he is sooooo nice. He remembered meeting me 6 years ago and remembered more details than me. The Rock rocks.

SolarSailor611 karma

What's your favorite Community episode? Which character are you most like, in real life?

DrKenJeong1469 karma

The timeline episode of Community "Remedial Chaos Theory" is possibly the best singular episode of ANY sitcom I have ever seen in my life. My wife & I have watched that episode countless times. A true masterpiece.

I also love "Modern Warfare", Advanced D & D of course, Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas, soooooooo many to choose from.

bgkehler588 karma

If you were in the place of Steve Choi (your character on Crossing Jordan), would you have voted 'not guilty' in the Ainsworth case or would you have stuck to the 'guilty' verdict he had first made?

DrKenJeong957 karma

I have been thinking about this for 10 years. My first guest credit was on Crossing Jordan as "Introspective Juror number 6".

lavenderose535 karma

Ballerina! So exotic. Just so exotic. You are a natural comedic actor. Were you funny as a kid?

DrKenJeong675 karma

Thx for the Ballerina shout out!! My wife & I are hooked on "Burning Love" It was so great to hang with Ken & Erica Marino in season 1 LOVED season 2 can't wait to watch season 3

Rum_Titan446 karma

Are you aware that the video for Mike O'Connels 'What's It Gonna Be' is one of the greatest music videos ever made? Also, do you keep the silver jump suit just in case you end up in the year 3000 at some point?

DrKenJeong613 karma

What's It Gonna Be is still one of the most amazing things I've been a part of. Mike O'Connell is a genius. He's one of my best friends, and we still perform it live on occasion. MILLION DOLLAR STRONG!!!

tedmdelacruz378 karma

How was working with Zach Galifianakis in The Hangover? How different is he compared being in character vs in real life?

DrKenJeong689 karma

Zach G is the funniest man I've ever worked with.

BrodyApproved179 karma

Dr. Jeong, I don't know what to believe anymore ;_;

Tote_Katze156 karma

I'm hoping it was just a case of someone else faking his AmA by taking the pic from his twitter.

DrKenJeong713 karma

this is me.