Biography
Who is Ali Wong?
Early life and education
Ali Wong: Born Alexandra Dawn Wong in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, the performer is the youngest of four children. Her mother, Tam Wong, moved from Vietnam in 1960 to work as a social worker, while her father, Adolphus Wong, was an anesthesiologist. She graduated from San Francisco University High School in 2000, where she served as the student body president.
After finishing high school, she attended the University of California, Los Angeles. During her time at the university, she majored in Asian American studies. Her education also included a period of study in Hanoi, Vietnam, during her junior year. Following her college graduation, she continued her academic pursuits in Vietnam through a Fulbright program.
Comedy and career beginnings
She first tried stand-up comedy at the age of 23. Soon after, she moved to New York City to focus on her craft, performing frequently to gain experience. In 2011, the publication Variety recognized her as one of the 10 Comics to Watch. Early television appearances included spots on The Tonight Show and John Oliver's New York Stand Up Show, along with roles in the NBC series Are You There, Chelsea? And VH1's Best Week Ever.
She worked as a writer for the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, a role suggested by cast member Randall Park. Her breakout stand-up special, Baby Cobra, premiered on Netflix in 2016. Filmed at the Neptune Theater in Seattle, the performance captured significant attention while she was seven months pregnant. She later released additional specials, including Hard Knock Wife in 2018 and Don Wong in 2022.
Acting and major projects
Beyond stand-up, she has maintained a steady acting career in film and television. She was a regular cast member on the ABC sitcom American Housewife from 2016 until 2021. She also voiced characters for animated series including Tuca & Bertie and Big Mouth. In 2019, she wrote and starred in the romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe alongside Randall Park.
Her role in the 2023 Netflix drama-comedy series Beef earned her widespread acclaim. As the lead, she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. This achievement made her the first actress of Asian descent to win a lead acting Emmy in that specific category.
Personal life
She met entrepreneur Justin Hakuta at a wedding in 2010. The couple married in 2014 and have two daughters together. In April 2022, they announced their separation, and she filed for divorce in December 2023. The legal process concluded in May 2024. She has publicly stated that she and her former spouse remain best friends.
She also had a relationship with actor Bill Hader. They were seen together at the 75th Emmy Awards in early 2024. It was later reported in January 2026 that the two had decided to end their relationship amicably, citing the demands of their respective work schedules and family commitments.
Birthday and age
Ali Wong was born on April 19, 1982, which makes Ali 44 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Ali shares the date with 56 other famous people.
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