Andrew Phung
It probably wasn’t what the Phung family had in mind for their son, Andrew.
“Growing up in an Asian family, performing wasn’t an option as a career,” Andrew Phung said. “Engineer, doctor, lawyer ... it was one of those three things. I joined Loose Moose Theatre to keep me out of trouble and I did it to learn some social skills. It was a challenge ... that’s why I joined.”
But he was equal to that challenge and it has paid off. He is now among the cast of Kim’s Convenience, the CBC comedy awaiting the green light on a third season.
Born and raised in Calgary, a graduate of Bishop McNally High School, Phung got a degree in economics, but his path veered in a very different direction.
“In 2012, I had been doing more and more improv, I was teaching, I was booking more work and I said to myself, hey, Andrew, can you make a full-time living doing this?” he said. “So I quit my job, went after it. I was able to do so because my intent wasn’t to make it in the industry, my intent was to have as much fun as possible and get good.”
A father of two young sons, Phung, 33, is tickled that his work on Kim’s Convenience is being recognized.
“Working with this team of actors, creators, writers is a joy, and I count myself the luckiest person in the world to have that opportunity,” he said
He has a movie coming out in the spring called Little Italy, has just hired a U.S. manager and is in the process of developing new projects.
“I think my first joy has always been live improv,” said Phung, "and my joy is a Friday night in Calgary, in a cold, cold winter, the theatre is packed with people and literally it’s you and 200 of your closest friends.
“Live shows, that’s where it’s at.”