HE’S JO COOL
Golden Globes host Koy ready for his closeup
JO KOY is hosting the 2024 Golden Globes. That might have prompted you to wonder, “Who?” More famous comedians including Chris Rock reportedly turned down the gig. And, former Globes hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reportedly said they were done. So, the job fell to Jo Koy. “This is my childhood dream,” Koy, 52, told USA Today. “I’m now living something that I would watch as a kid, something that indirectly inspired me to do what I do, seeing everyone from Bob Hope to Billy Crystal to Whoopi Goldberg [host] … Now, I’m in the captain’s seat and I’m loving it.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Golden Globes host, who is a comedian and actor, with Netflix stand-up specials, a book and an endorsement from Steven Spielberg.
His early years
Koy grew up in Seattle, Washington, and also lived in Tacoma, Las Vegas and the Philippines. His dad is a white American military man who left the family when Koy was young, and his mom is Filipina. He was born Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr, but in a 2019 stand up show, he said that he landed on the stage name “Jo Koy” after his aunt called him “Jo Ko.”
He’s been going by Jo Koy for 30 years, ever since, he said. “That’s just what Filipinos do, they name you one thing and then f–king call you something else,” he said, during his special.
His movies and TV shows
Koy has six Netflix specials — four currently streaming and two more in the pipeline.
He also has a 2022 memoir called “Mixed Plate,” he appeared in the 2023 movie “The Haunted Mansion” and he starred in the 2022 movie “Easter Sunday,” which follows the antics of a dysfunctional Filipino family.
The latter was produced by Steven Speilberg, after the famous director enjoyed Koy’s 2019 Netflix stand-up special, “Comin’ in Hot.”
He’s also appeared in an episode of TV shows such as “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens,” and “Mr. Iglesias.”
His 2019 Netflix special was filmed in Hawaii. Thanks to its success , the comedian sold out 11 shows at Honolulu’s Blaisdell Center Concert Hall – which added up to around 23,000 tickets.
His 2020 Netflix special, “Jo Koy: In His Elements,” was shot in Manila, the Philippines. His most recent Netflix special, “Jo Koy: Live At The Los Angeles Forum,” premiered in September 2022.
His son and ex-wife
Jo Koy and his ex-wife, Angie King, welcomed their son, Joseph J Herbert Jr, in 2003.
Koy was married to FilipinaAmerican singer Angie King (stage name: Nura Luca) from 2003 to 2013. During a 2022 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Koy said, “I’m from a different generation when divorce was still new, and my dad stepped away. I don’t ever want my son to feel that feeling. I know that divorce is hard, but you can make it work. We’re still best friends – me and my ex. She has all the codes to my house, she can walk in whenever she wants. When we go on vacation, she comes. My son never feels this difference. We’re a loving family, and we can work. Just because you’re not married, it doesn’t mean you’re not the best of friends. Everywhere I move, [my exwife] Angie moves.”
The Golden Globes will air Sunday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. on CBS.