Ali Wong was an American actor, writer, and comedian who truly made her mark in 2016 with the release of her wildly popular Netflix comedy special Baby Cobra—a performance that not only earned critical acclaim but also showcased Ali Wong performing while seven months pregnant. Now, before she became a household name, Ali Wong didn’t actually set out to be a comedian. Born and raised in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, she was a standout student with dreams of pursuing academia. She eventually enrolled at UCLA, where she majored in Asian American studies—an impressive choice that reflected her deep intellectual curiosity. But life had other plans.
While attending school, Ali Wong began acting with a Los Angeles-based theater company, and that’s when everything changed. The moment she stepped on stage, she discovered a passion for performing that was impossible to ignore. So, despite graduating summa cum laude—a huge accomplishment—Ali Wong decided to shift gears entirely. After college, she packed up and moved to New York City to dive headfirst into stand-up comedy.
It wasn’t long before Ali Wong started making waves. She performed at some of the city’s most respected comedy clubs, including the legendary Comedy Cellar. Her sharp wit, fearless delivery, and unique perspective quickly caught attention. In fact, by the early 2010s, Variety Magazine named her one of “10 Comics to Watch”—a major endorsement that helped elevate her profile. Following that recognition, Ali Wong began appearing on late-night shows like The Tonight Show and Chelsea Lately, further solidifying her presence in the comedy world.
As her stand-up career gained momentum, Ali Wong also began landing recurring roles on television. She appeared on series such as Are You There, Chelsea?, Inside Amy Schumer, and Black Box. But it was 2016 that really changed everything. That year, her first major comedy special, Baby Cobra, premiered on Netflix and became a cultural phenomenon. People couldn’t stop talking about it—not just because it was hilarious and brutally honest, but also because Ali Wong delivered it while visibly pregnant, flipping expectations on their head.
At the same time, Ali Wong was also working behind the scenes as a writer for the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, balancing creative roles both on and off camera. And if 2016 couldn’t get any busier, she also joined the cast of another ABC show—American Housewife—which debuted in October of that year. Ali Wong appeared as a series regular, bringing her signature humor and authenticity to the role.
So, in just one year, Ali Wong went from rising star to full-fledged breakout talent. Between her acclaimed Netflix special, her growing TV presence, and her relentless work ethic, Ali Wong proved she wasn’t just a flash in the pan—she was here to stay.
When it comes to Ali Wong’s filmography, one title really stands out as her highest rated movie — Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe from 2020. Fans and critics alike have praised Ali Wong’s voice performance in this animated adventure, making it a clear favorite among her projects. On the other hand, if we look at the lower end of the spectrum, Father Figures (2017) tends to come up as Ali Wong’s lowest rated film. While she had a supporting role in the comedy, the movie itself didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or reviewers. So, whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting familiar with Ali Wong’s work, it’s interesting to see how her roles span across different genres and levels of acclaim. Definitely worth noting is how Ali Wong continues to make an impact, even in films where her screen time might be limited.