New Artist Spotlight: Henry Cho

New Artist Spotlight: Henry Cho

By Peter Cronin

A Korean comic with a Southern accent released an album on a Country label. Sound unlikely? Not to Henry Cho.

Having grown up in East Tennessee, this fast-rising standup comic hasn't met a stereotype he couldn't debunk. Onstage and off, Cho has made a career of defying expectations. While the combination of his Asian countenance and distinctly Southern way of speaking has been surprising people and making them laugh since his college days, Cho has never uttered a four-letter word during his comedy routine. That alone makes him stand out among the current crop of standup comics, but Cho comes to the table with much more than just another family-friendly act. His resume, which lists the requisite dates at the nation's top comedy clubs and TV appearances including "The Tonight Show," MTV's "Half-Hour Comedy Hour," NBC's "Bob Hope's Young Comedians" and CBS' "Designing Women," also highlights his roles in films including "McHale's Navy" and the Farrelly Brothers' "Say It Isn't So."

Cho is very familiar and very comfortable with Country audiences since opening for Vince Gill and Amy Grant on tour. And with his Country/comedy labelmates Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall, Cho feels right at home at his new label.

This year, fans are able to catch Cho on Comedy Central as he stars in his own one-hour comedy special, "What's That Clickin' Noise?" Warner Bros. released a DVD and a CD of the show on July 18. On the big screen, the comedian/actor starred opposite Hilary Duff and Angelica Houston in "Material Girls," which hit theaters nationally on Aug. 25.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

What CD is on your stereo right now?

"A Vince Gill CD."

What book is on your nightstand?

"The Camel Club by David Baldacci."

What is your pet peeve?

"People who feel they're 'entitled.'"

What actor would portray you in a biopic about your life?

"Me."

Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles? "Trucks."

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?

"That I was a great husband and father and a decent golfer."