Bowen Yang is a comedian, actor, and podcaster, best known as the first Chinese-American to join the cast of Saturday Night Live. Discover more about Yang including their early life, family background, and many more.
Who Is Bowen Yang?
Bowen Yang is a comedian, actor, and podcaster who made history as the first Chinese-American cast member of Saturday Night Live. He’s also the first openly gay man to remain on the show for more than one season.
Yang is celebrated for bringing fresh, authentic representation to SNL, often weaving LGBTQ+ themes into his sketches in a way that feels natural and never relies on stereotypes. Beyond SNL, he’s known for co-hosting the hit podcast Las Culturistas and has appeared in several TV shows, including a regular role on Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens.
Early Life and Family Background
Born in 1990 in Brisbane, Australia, Bowen Yang’s family had originally emigrated from China so his father could pursue a PhD in mining engineering. Due to China’s one-child policy at the time, Yang has said he likely wouldn’t have been born if his parents had stayed in their home country.
His mother, a former gynecologist in China, and the rest of the family spoke Mandarin at home, and Yang attended Chinese Sunday school with his older sister.
After a few years in Australia, the family moved to Canada, settling near Montreal. When Bowen was 9, they relocated again—this time to Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. It was there that he first fell in love with Saturday Night Live, a show that would one day become his career.
A Painful Chapter: Coming Out and Conversion Therapy
At 17, Bowen Yang’s world shifted dramatically after a chat window left open on the family computer accidentally outed him to his parents. Their reaction was harsh and emotional. In an interview with The New York Times, Yang recalled them saying, “We don’t understand this. Where we come from, this doesn’t happen.”
He told GQ that seeing his father cry during that time was something he’d never witnessed before. “He would be sobbing when I got home from school,” Yang shared.
Trying to “fix” what they didn’t understand, his parents enrolled him in conversion therapy, two hours away in Colorado Springs. Bowen went along with it, calling the experience “crazy” and likening the therapy to “trying to explain away being gay with pseudoscience.”
Finding Freedom in New York
After the sessions ended, Bowen was allowed to attend New York University, where his older sister was already a student. She was asked to keep an eye on him, but college became a turning point. It gave him space to find his own identity again—and to come out to his family once more.
The second time around, things didn’t go smoothly either. While his parents were still struggling, Bowen gave them time. Over the years, their relationship healed. “Every now and then, my dad will still say something like, ‘You could try women!’” Bowen joked in a 2020 interview. “It’s almost an endearing kind of homophobia—if there is such a thing.”
Healing and Moving Forward
Despite the rocky start, Bowen now shares a strong bond with his family. They’ve gone on vacations together, and his parents are proud of everything he’s accomplished—especially his success on Saturday Night Live.
“They know I worked hard to get here,” he said in 2021. “And it means a lot to them, too. My mom even said recently, ‘Bowen, you’re very lucky to be doing this.’ And I said, ‘I know, Mom.’”
Life at NYU and the Start of His Comedy Journey
Bowen initially entered NYU as a pre-med chemistry major, partly inspired by his love for Grey’s Anatomy. But comedy was never far from his heart. Even while immersed in science courses, he kept performing, writing, and building a name for himself.
After graduation, instead of heading to medical school, Yang took a leap of faith. He became a graphic designer by day and a comedian by night, chasing auditions, performing stand-up, and creating sketches that would eventually catch the attention of SNL.
Breaking Ground at Saturday Night Live
Yang joined Saturday Night Live in 2018 as a writer for Season 44. That same season, he made a surprise on-screen appearance as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. His writing earned him an Emmy nomination, and in 2019, he was promoted to cast member—the first Chinese-American to ever hold that role.
He made waves portraying everything from Andrew Yang to a flamboyant Chinese trade representative named “Trade Daddy.” He also used the platform to spotlight real issues, including anti-Asian violence and LGBTQ+ representation. One of his standout sketches, “The Pride Month Song,” tackled the challenges queer people face during what should be a celebratory time.
In 2021, Yang made history again by becoming the first featured cast member (not yet promoted to full repertory) to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Staying True to Himself
Reflecting on his SNL journey, Bowen admitted he initially thought he had to appeal to a broad, mainstream audience. But the material that resonated most was the work that was deeply personal—unapologetically queer and honest. “That’s been a nice surprise,” he told reporters.
When asked how he wanted his time at SNL to be remembered, he responded with humility. “I just hope this opens the door a little wider for the next person.”
Expanding His Reach on Screen and Through Podcasts
Outside of SNL, Bowen plays Awkwafina’s cousin on Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens and has guest-starred on Girls5eva, High Maintenance, and Broad City. He also appeared in the acclaimed web series The Outs.
Known for his hilarious lip-sync videos on social media, Yang has spoofed everyone from Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model to Sandra Oh’s iconic performance on Grey’s Anatomy.
In the podcasting world, Bowen co-hosts Las Culturistas with his best friend Matt Rogers, a show that dives deep into pop culture with humour and heart. He also starred in the 2021 scripted podcast Hot White Heist, alongside a line-up of queer icons, playing a gay man teaming up with a lesbian cult to steal from a secret sperm bank.
Bowen Yang’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and finding strength through authenticity. From the pain of conversion therapy to breaking boundaries on national television, he’s become a voice for change—both onstage and off.
Is Bowen Yang married?
No, Bowen Yang is not married. As of now, he has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship or having a spouse. He’s been open about his experiences as a gay man, but he tends to keep his personal and romantic life relatively private.
Bowen Yang Net Worth
As of 2025, Bowen Yang’s estimated net worth is around $3 million.
His income primarily comes from his work as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live, acting roles in TV shows like Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens, and his popular podcast Las Culturistas. He’s also been involved in voice work, brand collaborations, and guest appearances—all of which have contributed to his growing success and wealth. Source of his net worth – Click Here.
Source: Click Here
