Mixed Plate - by Jo Koy (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A stunning, hilarious memoir from Jo Koy, star of the major motion picture Easter Sunday, creator of the Netflix specials In His Elements and Coming in Hot and "far and away one of the funniest people out there" (Chelsea Handler). Mixed Plate illuminates the burning drive, celebration of his Filipino heritage and the brilliant stand-up comedy talent that make Jo Koy one of the world's most successful comedians. Includes never-before-seen photos.

In a comedian autobiography that is both surprising in its honesty and not surprising all for being laugh out loud ridiculous, Jo Koy delivers his life story for fans, and for anyone who has defied the expectations of their family and maybe even themselves. If you've ever seen Jo Koy's standup, you know that his road to success has been...well...bumpy. As a half-Filipino, half-white kid with a mom who didn't think much of his comedy career goals, Jo had a lot to prove. Add in the realities of the immigrant experience, alcoholism, poverty and mental illness and you can understand why Jo Koy found solace in the VHS tapes he made of Eddie Murphy and George Carlin specials. In the end, Mixed Plate is his path to achieving his version of the American Dream, one that he lives out loud today while celebrating his heritage, the life he's been able to provide for his son Joe, Jr., and all the wonderful craziness of his great big Filipino American family ...that also happen to be universal.

Just like Hawaii's favorite lunch, the mixed plate, this book takes a little bit of this, a little bit of that from a few cultures and creates a delicious whole.

This hilarious and heartfelt celebrity memoir delivers an unforgettable story of resilience, family, and the power of laughter:

• AAPI Heritage: A proud celebration of his Filipino roots and the hilarious, universal craziness of his great big family that inspired his most famous bits.
• Immigrant Experience: An honest look at the challenges of defying family expectations and forging your own path as a half-Filipino, half-white kid in America.
• Overcoming Adversity: A surprisingly raw and inspiring account of overcoming poverty, alcoholism, and mental illness to achieve his version of the American Dream.
• Celebrity Memoir: Go behind the scenes of Jo Koy's bumpy road to success, from making VHS tapes of his comedy heroes to becoming one of the world's most successful comedians.

Review Quotes

A remarkable memoir. . . A beautiful exploration of finding hope, humor, and a voice. A must-read for fans of memoirs. - Library Journal

"Jo Koy is one of the funniest comedians I've ever met. He's the kindest, the most informative, the most innovative--he's a genius, yo! When I can't spell something, I just call Jo Koy and ask him how to spell it. I know y'all are going to love this book. Why? Because my friend wrote it, Jo Koy." - Tiffany Haddish

"Jo Koy is far and away one of the funniest people out there. To take a look into his childhood with this book is to witness a great piece of self-reflection that shines a light on the theory of nature over nurture, and the understanding that some people were just born to be hilarious." - Chelsea Handler, author of the New York Times bestseller Life Will Be the Death of Me

"Throughout, Koy is candid and heartfelt about his family and personal life, and he provides an illuminating behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process, which involves not just joke-writing but real introspection. Featuring countless moments of hilarity, the narrative also serves as an opportunity for the author to connect with his audience beyond the stage. Koy goes behind the funny, showing his wide-ranging comedic talent and abundant wells of perseverance." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)