Andrew Phung is one of the brightest stars in modern Canadian comedy. In his humour, he blends social satire with relatable life situations. Thanks to his unique delivery, he has become well-known in cities across the country and beyond. In this article on calgaryski, we’ll explore the comedian’s life journey, his creative development, and his contributions to the modern comedy scene.
Life Story
Andrew Phung was born in Calgary in 1984. He attended Bishop McNally High School. Andrew’s father is of Chinese descent, and his mother is of Vietnamese descent. His creative journey began at the age of 16 when he joined the Loose Moose Theatre Company. In 2020, he became a senior performer and instructor at the same theatre.
After graduating from high school, Andrew enrolled at the University of Calgary, where he studied economics. At the same time, he worked as a director for a non-profit organization.
Career Development
In 2008, Phung joined the comedy troupe ‘Sciencebear,’ and together they created short films. In 2009, the group produced the film ‘Sketch’ on a budget of just $100. The film was successfully screened at the Calgary International Film Festival.
In 2009, Phung received his first major recognition when Avenue Magazine named him one of Calgary’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’. In the same year, he acted in the series ‘Drafted’.
Phung began creating improv comedy shows. He co-created the shows ‘Past Your Bedtime’ and ‘Northeast: The Show’. From 2015 to 2016, he co-created and starred in the comedy series ‘Cowtown’.
In 2016, he landed his breakout role as Kimchee in the CBC series ‘Kim’s Convenience’. For his performance in the series, he won a Canadian Screen Award. The show ran for five seasons and was extremely popular.
After ‘Kim’s Convenience,’ Phung went on to star in ‘Run the Burbs,’ a series he also co-created.
Phung’s Personal Life
In 2013, Phung married Tamara P. Rathan. They have two sons. The performer’s personal life remains quite private, but he is known to cherish his family and the time he spends with his wife and children. Phung emphasizes that his family is both an inspiration and a grounding force in his life. He occasionally shares happy family moments on his social media.
Andrew Phung is also the founder of ‘YYCSoleiers,’ a Calgary-based event dedicated to sneaker culture. Additionally, Phung is involved with ‘Youth Central,’ an organization that helps youth engage in their communities.
The Secret to Phung’s Success
In an interview, Andrew Phung shared that he wasn’t always so brave. In high school, he was so shy that he was even afraid to go to his prom. It was only when he started working and taking more risks that he stopped being afraid of failure.
The artist also shared that growing up in Calgary played a significant role in his success. In his opinion, life in Calgary is very comfortable and relaxed. This lack of pressure allowed Phung the freedom to fail and try new things without fear. Most comedians in Calgary had day jobs, and comedy was just a hobby and a fun outlet for them. Phung simply did what he loved, and it eventually led to a successful career. The secret is just to enjoy the process!
In conclusion, Andrew Phung’s story is an example of how true success comes to those who aren’t afraid to take risks and try new things. Even fear and shyness can be transformed into sources of strength and inspiration. His journey is a reminder that it’s worth starting, even when you’re scared or feel like it’s too late.