Leslie Liao
American comedian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leslie Liao is an American stand-up comedian. She formerly worked for Netflix in their human resources department while learning to perform stand-up.
Leslie Liao | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 11, 1987 |
| Alma mater | USC School of Cinematic Arts |
| Occupation | Stand-up comedian |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Medium | Stand-up comedy, film, television, podcasting |
| Genre | Observational comedy |
| Subjects | Satire, human sexuality, current events, American culture, Asian-American culture |
| Website | leslieliao |
Early life and education
Liao was born on March 11, 1987[1] to Chinese immigrant parents and raised in Orange County, California.[2] She describes originally wanting to be a ballerina from a young age, before being drawn to the entertainment industry. She recounts envisioning herself more as an agent or in some other support role.[3]
Liao graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.[4]
Career
After completing college, one of Liao's first jobs was as an assistant producer at Universal Studios in comedy production.[4] She also volunteered to be a talent scout, attending stand-up shows in the evenings to discover new comedy talent.[5] Liao became motivated to try her own hand at stand-up comedy after seeing performances she didn't like: "It all clicked that night, where I realized how much I understood it and loved it, and was so protective over it. I remember almost standing up and being like, 'Give me the mic.'"[5]
Liao took a "calculated approach" to beginning her career, first enrolling in a writing class.[6] While beginning to perform stand-up at local comedy clubs, Liao took a position at Netflix in their human resources department.[7] Liao describes working a 9 to 5 shift, performing at a late night show, and then needing to be ready for an early meeting the next day.[3] Liao made her television debut on the Jimmy Fallon Show and was featured in the Netflix comedy showcase Verified Stand-Up.[8] Liao resigned from Netflix in January 2024.[9] She said her bosses were "so cool and supportive" and encouraged her to pursue her comedy career: "My bosses at Netflix saw me on Netflix. They saw me on Jimmy Fallon. They were like, 'Go be a star.' They didn't fire me, but they were like, 'It's your time.'"[3]
Reception
Liao's comedy style focuses on her experience as a single Asian-American woman living in Los Angeles.[6] Brian Logan of The Guardian praised Liao as well suited to performing stand-up, while also saying her set was "neither adventurous nor well crafted" but her "open and engaging manner [made] it a perfectly companionable hour."[10] Her act has also been called relatable and "hilarious in her execution and perspective."[11]
Awards and honors
Liao was selected as one of the New Faces of Comedy at Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in 2023.[6]