Before his rise to fame in the entertainment industry, Ken Jeong found his life partner. Jeong, who was then working as a doctor, met Tran Ho, also a physician. They tied the knot in September 2004 and welcomed their twin daughters, Alexa and Zooey, in 2007.
Just as their twins turned one, Tran received a breast cancer diagnosis. At that pivotal moment, Ken was offered the role of Leslie Chow in The Hangover, which marked a turning point in his career.
Despite undergoing cancer treatments and caring for their young daughters, Tran urged Ken to seize the opportunity. “I was ready to decline the role, but Tran encouraged me to accept it. She refused to let her illness interfere with our lives or our dreams,” Ken wrote in a 2011 essay for HuffPost.
Ken’s acting career took off thanks to Tran’s encouragement, starting with his role in Knocked Up and exploding with The Hangover
He further stated, “Throughout our time together, she has been my greatest supporter in pursuing a comedy career. She understood the significance of this opportunity and selflessly prioritized my dreams over her own.”
So who is Ken Jeong’s wife? Here’s an in-depth look at Tran Jeong and her relationship with the actor.
Their first meeting was at a singles event
Ken and Tran crossed paths while working as doctors at a Los Angeles hospital, where Tran was involved in family medicine and Ken in internal medicine. “We used to see each other at the hospital, and she struck me as very composed and attractive,” Ken recalled on the Death, Sex & Money podcast.
He added, “We connected during a doctors’ happy hour. She made me laugh like no one else ever had. Our shared love for comedy was a big part of what drew us together.”
They married in 2004
The couple’s wedding took place on September 6, 2004. In a tribute to their 20-year milestone, Ken posted on Instagram, “Twenty years down, forever to go. You still complete me, Ho.”
She embraces her role as a supportive partner
Tran’s ability to handle Ken’s comedic humor is another aspect of their strong bond. Ken’s 2019 Netflix special, You Complete Me, Ho, playfully references her maiden name. “She has such thick skin and is incredibly supportive, even when I make the most clichéd jokes,” Ken shared on the Death, Sex & Money podcast.
“She understood from the start that I was a comedian at heart, not just a doctor,” he added.
Her encouragement led to Ken’s acting career
Ken attributes much of his acting success to Tran’s encouragement. Following minor roles in the early 2000s, his career took a significant turn with his role in Knocked Up. “I was content being the doctor from Knocked Up, but The Hangover was a game-changer,” he said during ABC’s summer press tour. “My wife’s confidence in me was crucial in making me pursue acting full-time.”
Although Ken no longer practices medicine, he has taken on doctor roles in films and TV shows, and occasionally utilizes his medical skills in real-life situations.
She is a mother to twin daughters
In 2007, Ken and Tran welcomed twin daughters, Alexa and Zooey. While the twins generally remain out of the public eye, they have joined their parents at various events. Ken has spoken about celebrating their unique qualities and the joys of fatherhood with twins. “Having two ‘Daddy’s little girls’ means double the sweetness,” he told PEOPLE in 2017.
He also shared parenting advice, noting how they support their daughters’ individual interests, from Alexa’s passion for gymnastics to Zooey’s budding interest in comedy.
She has overcome breast cancer
Tran battled breast cancer after discovering a lump while breastfeeding her infants. “It was hard to understand why this happened during such a joyous time,” Ken wrote in his HuffPost essay. “Her strength and willpower as a mother helped her fight through it.”
Now in remission for over a decade, Tran continues her work as a doctor. Ken has used his experience to advocate for cancer awareness and screenings, speaking at hospitals and events across the country.
She approved of Ken’s daring roles
Before Ken took on the role of Leslie Chow in The Hangover, including its sequel, he sought Tran’s approval. “I made sure to get her consent first before discussing it with the director,” Ken told PEOPLE at The Hangover Part II premiere. “She was supportive and thought the film would boost guys’ self-esteem.”
Their red carpet appearances are well-regarded
Tran and Ken have become seasoned red carpet fixtures over the years. At the 75th annual Emmy Awards in January 2024, Tran dazzled in a floral Marchesa gown while Ken complemented her in a stylish Gucci tuxedo.
