Malaysia’s Jason Leong: former doctor, prize-winning comedian, and Jho Low lookalike
- He’s garnered a fair few accolades since starting out in comedy, such as winning the 7th International Hong Kong Comedy Competition in 2013
- But one of his claims to fame has nothing to do with his jokes: Leong hopes his resemblance to fugitive billionaire Jho Low will net him a Hollywood film role
Comedian Jason Leong has a pretty unorthodox backstory. For one, the quick-witted Malaysian began his working life as a doctor before venturing into comedy.
But turning his back on a five-year career in medicine was not a difficult decision for the comic, who initially tried juggling both.
“For three years of my working life, I did both comedy and medicine, and it got to a point where I needed to give one up,” says Leong, who often pokes fun at Asian parents and their emphasis on success in his shows. “Easiest choice I’ve ever made. No regrets.”
The relative newcomer to the industry made regional waves in 2013 when he won the 7th International Hong Kong Comedy Competition – the first Malaysian to do so. His personable demeanour also scored him the title of Crowd Favourite.
Since then, Leong has performed for Comedy Central’s Stand-up Asia, and was also the first Malaysian to perform full professional sets at both Hollywood’s Laugh Factory and New York’s Gotham Comedy Club.
“Kiasu, lah. Want to be the first,” he says with a laugh, using the Hokkien phrase for “afraid to lose”.
