During his adolescent years, this stand-up comic developed and used comedy to deal with bullying. Isn’t it fascinating how Margaret Cho got her start in comedy? Cho began acting at the tender age of 14 after being inspired by her father’s Korean humor books. Soon after, she relocated to Los Angeles in search of greater possibilities, and she starred in a number of tiny roles in films. She then played a Korean-American family in the short-lived sitcom ‘All-American Girl.’ She’s performed in a number of comedy specials and films, as well as going on a number of stand-up tours and releasing her own album. She is also a well-known novelist who has written several books, including ‘I’m The One That I Want’ and ‘I Have Decided to Stay and Fight.’ She is an outspoken advocate for homosexual rights and a frequent speaker on topics such as racism and sexuality, which she incorporates into her stand-up routines. She is also a well-known fashion designer who has her own brand of apparel. She’s also appeared in a number of music videos. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role in the TV comedy series ’30 Rock.’ Continue reading her biography to get more interesting and intriguing details about her childhood, personal life, and accomplishments.
Childhood and Adolescence
Margaret Moran Cho was born in San Francisco, California, to bookshop owner Seung-Hoon Cho and his wife Young-Hie. She grew up in a multicultural neighborhood.
She started doing stand-up acts when she was 14 years old. Her father’s Korean joke books and humour inspired her, and they not only helped her succeed in her work but also helped her cope with bullying.
She was really enthusiastic about the performing arts. As a result, she auditioned for and was accepted into the San Francisco School of Arts. She began performing professionally at the age of 16.
She performed in her parents’ bookstore, bars, and university campuses, as well as appearing on television. In the 1990s, she relocated to Los Angeles in search of greater chances.
Career of Margaret Cho
She had a small part in the CBS sitcom “The Golden Palace” in 1992, which was cancelled after one season. ‘Move the Crowd,’ a television movie, also featured her.
She made an appearance in the sensual TV drama series ‘Red Shoe Diaries’ in the episode ‘Hotline’ in 1993.
She starred in the film ‘Angie’ and voiced a character on the TV show ‘The Critic’ in 1994. She also starred as ‘Margaret Kim’ in the ABC situation comedy sitcom ‘All-American Girl.’ She only appeared in 19 episodes of the show before it was discontinued.
She hosted the ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 95′ with Steve Harvey in 1995, despite the failure of ‘All-American Girl.’ She had a voice role in the TV show ‘Duckman’ that year.
In the same year, she starred as ‘Queen’ in the animated TV series ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’ in the episode ‘The Princess and the Pea.’ She also starred in ‘The Doom Generation,’ a comedy thriller.
She made her acting debut in the American drama film ‘It’s My Party,’ directed by Randal Kleiser, in March 1996.
She had a vocal role in the animated TV series ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’ in 1997, in the episode ‘The Little Mermaid.’ She also appeared in the action thriller film ‘Face/Off’ as ‘Wanda.’ She appeared in the American independent film ‘Sweethearts’ and the comedic film ‘Fakin’ da Funk’ the same year.
In 1998, she starred as ‘Caryn’ in an episode of the American sitcom ‘The Nanny’ called ‘Mom’s the Word.’ She also appeared in the television movie ‘Five Houses,’ as well as the films ‘Ground Control’ and ‘The Thin Pink Line.’
She starred in the films ‘Can’t Stop Dancing’ and ‘The Tavern’ in 1999.
‘I’m The One That I Want,’ a concert film, was released in 2000. The film chronicled her rise to fame and the challenges she faced along the way. A book with the same title was also released.
She portrayed ‘Lynne’ in the ‘The Real Me’ episode of the TV series ‘Sex and the City’ in 2001. She also made an appearance on stage in ‘Notorious C.H.O.: Live at Carnegie Hall.’
She portrayed ‘Coach’ in the ‘Me & My Shadow’ episode of the television show ‘One on One’ in 2002. That year, she launched the ‘High Class Cho’ apparel brand, which was a flop.
She debuted her stand-up routine, ‘Revolution,’ in 2003, and it was released the following year.
She debuted the ‘Hip Wear’ range of belly dancing belts and accessories in 2004. On her website, she also posted animated rap films including ‘Finger’ and ‘Roofies.’
‘I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight,’ her second book, was published in 2005. The book had essays and prose on a variety of topics, including human rights, global politics, and other current challenges.
She acted in the comedy film ‘Bam Bam and Celeste’ in 2005, which she also wrote. At the Toronto International Picture Festival, the film had its world premiere. She also promoted her new show, ‘Assassin,’ which ultimately became a concert video, throughout that year.
Fay Ann Lee directed the romantic comedy film ‘Falling for Grace’ in 2006, and also appeared in it. She also appeared in two episodes of the science fiction miniseries ‘The Lost Room’ that year.
She joined the board of directors of ‘Good Vibrations,’ a San Francisco-based company, in November 2006. She also co-wrote the rap song ‘My Puss,’ which was released under the moniker ‘Maureen and Angela.’
She appeared in three episodes of the American sitcom ‘Til Death’ in 2007. She started doing voice work in the animated sitcom ‘Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in the World’ the same year.
‘The Sensuous Woman,’ a burlesque-style variety performance tour, began on August 10, 2007. She also appeared in the short film ‘Love Is Love’ as well as the video ‘Girltrash!’
In 2007, she appeared in the video for ‘The Dresden Dolls’ song ‘Shores of California.’ She also appeared in the video for the Canadian rock band ‘The Cliks”s song ‘Eyes in the Back of My Head.’
She starred as ‘Det. Mickey Lee’ in the supernatural horror thriller ‘One Missed Call’ in 2008. In the same year, she appeared in the ‘Sordid Lives: The Series’ episode ‘The Day Tammy Wynette Died – Part 1’. Her track, ‘I Cho Am a Woman,’ was also released on iTunes.
She appeared in an edition of NBC’s ‘Celebrity Family Feud,’ a spin-off game show, alongside her family and friends on June 24, 2008. She also appeared in the VH1 series ‘The Cho Show’ that year.
She starred in the American TV series ‘Drop Dead Diva’ in 2009. That same year, she was photographed by Austin Young, whose work was later featured in the ‘Heaven-Bound’ art show.
In 2010, she competed in the eleventh season of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ ending in 10th place partnering Louis van Amstel. The next year, she released ‘Cho Dependent,’ which received a Grammy nomination.
She starred in the music video for ‘I Wanna Be a Bear’ in 2010. She also appeared in the TV series ‘Ghost Whisperer’ as ‘Prof. Avery Grant’ and ‘The A-List: New York’ in the same year.
She sang ‘Your Favourite Thing’ with Grant-Lee Phillips at the ‘See A Little Light’ tribute concert in 2011. Margaret Cho: Cho Dependent, a stand-up comedy act with musical performances, was released that year.
She starred as ‘Kim Jong-II’ in the TV comedy series ’30 Rock’ in 2011. She also appeared in the short film ‘Mindwash’ that year. ‘The Jake Sessions’ and ‘Thugs, the Musical!’ are two examples.
She appeared in the short films ‘Amelia’s 25th’ and ‘The Immigrant’ in 2012. She appeared in two episodes of the TV comedy series ’30 Rock,’ for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award.
In 2013, she appeared in the comedy-mystery online series ‘Where the Bears Are’ as ‘Mistress Lena’ in an episode of ‘Bears in Chains.’
Achievements & Awards
She received the American Comedy Award for ‘Best Female Comedian’ in 1994.
She was honored with the Golden Gate Award by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in 2000.
Lambda Legal, an American civil rights organization, presented her with the Lambda Liberty Award in 2001.
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund honored her with the Justice in Action award in 2003.
She was honored by the American Civil Liberties Union with the First Amendment Award in 2004.
She received the Asian Excellence Award for ‘Outstanding Comedy Performance’ in 2007.
Personal History and Legacy
She had a romantic relationship with Quentin Tarantino around 1994. She was also linked to Chris Isaak, a musician, and Scott Aukerman, an actor and comedian.
She began abusing drugs and alcohol around 1995. She was booed off the stage at one of her appearances that year in Monroe, Louisiana, after her substance usage became apparent during her performance.
She married Al Ridenour, an artist, in 2003. He is in charge of Cacophony Society’s and the Art of Bleeding’s production.
She started the website ‘Love is Love is Love’ in 2004 to promote gay marriage legalization. She is a strong supporter of LGBT rights.
She campaigned against Stanley Tookie Williams, the leader of the ‘Crips,’ an American street gang, being sentenced to death in 2005. He was eventually put to death.
She received a lot of tattoos in 2006, and it’s estimated that 15 to 20% of her body is tattooed as of 2007.
She hosted the ‘True Colors Tour,’ a musical event in 2007, with earnings going to the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
She voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election in the United States.
Margaret Cho Day was recognized on April 30, 2008 in San Francisco.
Margaret Cho Net Worth
Trivia
This Korean-American actress and comedian was deputized to perform marriages shortly after same-sex marriage became legal in California in 2008.