Comedian Jo Koy tapped to host 81st Golden Globes
LOS ANGELES
Stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy has been tapped to host next year’s Golden Globes ceremony.
The once-embattled awards show, airing Jan. 7 on Paramount+, is the first award show gig for the superstar comic who recently announced a pair of shows at the Kia Forum in February.
“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.”
Koy, who is no stranger to walking a tightrope onstage and bringing a warm brand of humor and relatability to uncomfortable situations, says he’s ready for the gig.
“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” said Koy. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita [Google it]!”
Koy’s recent “Funny Is Funny World Tour” broke sales records at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. Previously, he released five highly rated stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his most recent Netflix special, “Live From The Los Angeles Forum.” He also recently appeared in the Improv’s 60th anniversary comedy special on Netflix.
Koy entered into new territory on the big screen last year, starring in his first film, Universal Picture’s “Easter Sunday,” based on his own experiences and standup comedy. He has also appeared in Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” and voiced the character Bendo in Netflix’s animated film “Monkey King.” He’ll next be voicing the character of The Monkey King in the animated feature film “Tiger’s Apprentice” premiering on Paramount+ on Feb. 2, 2024.
The show’s hosting announcement comes during a transition for the Globes, which were rocked by a 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation into the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the small but powerful group of entertainment journalists that handed out the awards. The Times’ investigation uncovered ethical lapses within the group, long known for its idiosyncratic choice of honorees, and exposed that it then contained no Black members.
In the public relations fallout, the 2022 Globes were not televised. Earlier in 2023, the awards returned to NBC, where they had aired since 1996, on a one-year contract.