Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bowen Yang

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bowen Yang made an impact.

Bowen Yang is an American actor, comedian, podcaster, and writer best known for his work on Saturday Night Live (SNL). He joined SNL as a writer in 2018 and was promoted to the on-air cast in 2019. Yang achieved a milestone in 2021 by becoming the first SNL featured player to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. He became a repertory player before the 47th season.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2013: Started at One Kings Lane

In 2013, Bowen Yang began working at One Kings Lane as a graphic designer, a role that allowed flexibility for his comedy pursuits.

2016: Las Culturistas Premiere

In 2016, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers premiered their comedy pop-culture podcast, Las Culturistas, which contributed to building Yang's fanbase.

September 2018: Hired as SNL Writer

In September 2018, Bowen Yang joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live (SNL) for its 44th season, marking a significant step in his comedy career.

2018: Left One Kings Lane

In 2018, Bowen Yang ended his employment at One Kings Lane, marking a transition as his comedy career gained momentum.

2018: Hired as SNL Staff Writer

In 2018, Bowen Yang was hired as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live (SNL), marking a major milestone in his career.

2018: Shorty Award Nomination

In 2018, Las Culturistas was nominated for a Shorty Award, recognizing its excellence in social media.

January 2019: Forbes 30 Under 30

In January 2019, Bowen Yang was named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list, recognizing his accomplishments in the entertainment industry.

September 2019: Promoted to Featured Player on SNL

In September 2019, Bowen Yang was promoted to featured player on Saturday Night Live (SNL), becoming the show's first Chinese-American cast member.

September 2019: 300 Episodes of Podcast

As of September 2019, Bowen Yang's podcast, Las Culturistas, had over 300 episodes, showcasing its sustained popularity and influence.

September 28, 2019: First Episode as SNL Cast Member

On September 28, 2019, Bowen Yang's first episode as a regular cast member on SNL aired, with him playing Kim Jong-un in the show's cold open.

October 2019: Debut on Weekend Update

In October 2019, Bowen Yang debuted on Weekend Update as Chinese trade representative Chen "Trade Daddy" Biao, showcasing his comedic talent on a prominent SNL segment.

2019: Writing Credits on SNL

During the 2018–2019 season, Bowen Yang had writing credits on 21 episodes of SNL, contributing significantly to the show's content.

2019: Viral Twitter Posts

In 2019, Bowen Yang gained significant press coverage for his viral Twitter posts featuring lip-sync videos of famous movie scenes, showcasing his comedic talent and creativity.

January 2020: Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens Premiere

In January 2020, Bowen Yang appeared in the Comedy Central sitcom Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, expanding his roles in television.

September 2021: Guest on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

In September 2021, Bowen Yang appeared as a guest on the NPR news quiz Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, showcasing his versatility in media appearances.

September 2021: Promoted to Repertory Status

In September 2021, Bowen Yang was promoted to repertory status on SNL at the start of the show's 47th season, solidifying his role on the show.

2021: Emmy Nomination

In 2021, Bowen Yang made history as the first SNL featured player to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category.

2021: Speaking Out Against Anti-Asian Violence

In 2021, Bowen Yang spoke out against the surge in violence against Asian-Americans during a Weekend Update segment on SNL, and appeared on the Time 100 list.

2021: Variety's Power of Pride List & Emmy Nomination

In 2021, Bowen Yang was listed No. 2 in Variety's Power of Pride list of most influential queer artists in Hollywood and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, marking significant recognition in his career.