Jo Koy recounts struggles with 'mental health, poverty, drinking' in autobiography to come out in March

Stand-up comic Jo Koy is the latest celebrity to delve into the world of book publishing.

The book titled, Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo, touches on Jo Koy's life story including his background as a half-Filipino growing up in the States and his years of struggle as an aspiring comedian before achieving fame and worldwide acceptance.

“A funny, sad, at times pathetic but also kick-ass tale of how a half-Filipino, half-white kid whose mom thought (and still thinks) his career goal was to a become clown became a success,” Jo Koy wrote in his official website.

“Not an overnight success, because that would have made for a really short read, but an All-American success who could give my immigrant mom the kind of life she hoped for when she came to this country, and my son the kind of life I wished I'd had as a kid.”

He continued, “With all the details of what it felt like to get the doors closed in my face, to grind it out on the road with my arsenal of d*ck jokes, and how my career finally took off once I embraced the craziness of my family, which I always thought was uniquely Filipino but turns out is as universal as it gets.

“From growing up with a mom who made me dance like Michael Jackson at the Knights of Columbus, to some real dark stuff, the stuff we don't talk about often enough as immigrants.

“Mental health, poverty, drinking. And show you the path to my American Dream.”

The book, which will be available on March 23 on book and audiobook formats, rebukes any notion that the comedian is an overnight success.

His journey, he said, was “paved with a lot of failures, department store raffle tickets to win free color televisions, bad jokes, old VHS tapes, a motorcycle my mom probably still hates, the only college final I aced (wasn't math), and getting my first laugh on stage.”

“RICE IS RICE”

Born Joseph Glenn Herbert to an American father and a Filipino mother, Jo Koy grew up in Washington, Tacoma before moving to Las Vegas.

He started his stand-up career in 1994 in Las Vegas at a comedy club.

Jo Koy's grueling climb to the top was no secret and something that he would talk about often with a mix of great pride and self-deprecating humor.

He would find his voice as a comedian after incorporating his Filipino roots into his spiels and skits.

Jo Koy's penchant for making fun of Filipino cultural traditions and nuances surprisingly appeals even to non-Filipinos, particularly fellow Asians and Latinos.

This was highlighted in his two Netflix specials Jo Koy: Live from Seattle and Jo Koy: Comin' In Hot.

Both shows were massive hits and it introduced Jo Koy to a global audience who couldn't get enough of his style of humor.

Filipinos, of course, loved it and laughed uncontrollably at his jokes that hit close to home.

Jo Koy's spiels including the now iconic “rice is rice” phrase became a signature for the talented comedian that he made merchandise out of it.

Jo Koy had two homecoming shows in the Philippines - Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino - in January 2020.

Incidentally, Jo Koy's visit to the Philippines last year allowed him to personally attend the unveiling of his star at Eastwood's Walk of Fame. Here are the other celebrities who shared the honor with the stand-up comedian: