Margaret Cho was born on December 5, 1968, in San Francisco, California. Her grandfather was a Methodist minister who ran an orphanage in Seoul during the Korean War. Her mother, who was from a traditional Korean family, bravely resisted an arranged marriage in Korea and married Margaret's father, a Korean-American man who wrote joke books in Korean.
Margaret's childhood was marked by bullying, which led her to develop a strong sense of humor as a coping mechanism. She began writing jokes for stand-up at the age of 14 and started performing professionally at 16. Her early career was marked by success, including winning a comedy contest where the first prize was opening for Jerry Seinfeld.
Margaret's big break came when she was cast in the ABC sitcom "All-American Girl," which was the first Asian-American sitcom on television. However, the network wanted her to tone down her comedy and conform to traditional TV standards, which led to a traumatic experience for Margaret. She developed an eating disorder and struggled with self-acceptance.
Despite this setback, Margaret continued to perform and create, releasing her one-woman show "I'm the One That I Want" in 1999, which became a national phenomenon. The show was made into a best-selling book and feature film, and it marked a turning point in Margaret's career.
Margaret has since become a beloved figure in the comedy world, known for her bold and unapologetic humor. She has released several comedy albums and has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "Drop Dead Diva," "Dancing with the Stars," and "30 Rock."
Throughout her career, Margaret has been recognized for her contributions to the comedy world and her advocacy for social justice. She has been honored with numerous awards, including two Grammy nominations and an Emmy nomination. She has also been recognized for her work with the LGBTQ+ community, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from L.A. Pride.
Margaret is a true pioneer in the comedy world, known for her bold and unapologetic humor. She has inspired countless people with her story and has become a role model for young comedians and artists everywhere.
