Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

Growing up, my dad was 'get a real job, don't go pursuing your dreams, that's how you become homeless.' So, do I pick my family or do I pick my own happiness, and how much does my own happiness depend on my family?

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

My Chinese name is Man Shing which means 'ten thousand success.' It's a name that's sure to set me up for failure.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I went to college as an economics major because that was the easiest major that could still please your Asian parents, and then, much to their dismay, I became a stand-up comedian.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I don't know why people feel the need to do this to me, but my friend asked my dad, 'Aren't your proud of Jimmy now that he's a successful actor?' And my dad was like, 'No, not really. I wish he was a scientist.' I guess scientist is more noble in the Asian culture.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

To get noticed you need to work a lot and have a bit of luck. And I'm here to say that it's possible.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

Nico Santos I've known from Bay Area stand-up, and he lives right by me so we hang out all the time.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

My job is to go into that audition and be good enough of an Asian actor - or an actor in general - to land that role so they don't have to go out and hire a white guy. My job is to make sure I capitalize on these opportunities that other people created.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I always have to brace myself when I visit my parents. My mom often greets me with a slew of nonconstructive criticisms: 'Jimmy, why is your face so fat? Your clothes look homeless and your long hair makes you look like a girl.' After 30 years of this, my self-image is now a fat homeless lesbian.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

Just because I don't speak English with an accent anymore doesn't mean that I'm better than the people who do.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I've learned to not have expectations. I think the first movie I did, I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm going to win an Oscar!' You can't do that, you're going to let yourself down.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

My dad played my dad in 'Patriots Day' and that's why he thinks that's a good movie.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I'm generally pretty excited about new gadgets, new tech, A.I., stuff like that.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

One of the hard things coming from an immigrant family - or any family that doesn't believe in the arts - is that you have to disappoint your parents. That's hard for people to do if you're a good kid.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I just want to keep working and have a roof over my head.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

As far as stand-up, a lot of Asians and Chinese are not as apt to stand-up, especially the older generation since they don't even know what stand-up is.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I understand the whole constant foreigner stereotype, but for me it's important to portray immigrant characters like Jian-Yang and Danny Meng with humanity.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

It's a fine line between hack and good comedy.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

But I try to play everything very authentically, even if it is an accented immigrant, Jian Yang, that I play on 'Silicon Valley.'

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I'm a big Clippers fan. I have season tickets to the Clippers. That's the only team I really root for in any sport.

Jimmy O. Yang
Jimmy O. Yang

I came to this country when I was 13 years old, I couldn't really speak English, and I had an accent.