Margaret Cho, born on December 5, 1968, was raised in the vibrant and eclectic environment of San Francisco. Growing up in the 1970s on Haight Street, Cho witnessed a unique tapestry of cultures and lifestyles, surrounded by old hippies, ex-druggies, burnouts from the '60s, drag queens, and the local Chinese community. She fondly describes it as a "confusing, enlightening, wonderful time." Her family background is rich with stories of resilience and defiance against traditional norms. Her grandfather, a Methodist minister, ran an orphanage in Seoul during the Korean War. Cho’s mother bravely resisted an arranged marriage in Korea, choosing instead to marry Cho’s father, who pursued a career in writing joke books in Korean. Despite both being in the business of humor, Cho notes that she and her father had different comedic sensibilities. Cho's foray into comedy began early. At 16, she started performing stand-up at The Rose & Thistle, a comedy club above the bookstore her parents operated. She quickly made a name for herself by winning a comedy contest, where the prize was opening for Jerry Seinfeld. In the early 1990s, Cho moved to Los Angeles and immersed herself in its performance scene, sharing a house with fellow young entertainers. She swiftly became a sensation on the college circuit, earning a nomination for Campus Comedian of The Year. Her break into national fame came with an introduction by Arsenio Hall to late-night audiences, followed by an appearance on a Bob Hope prime-time special. In 1994, she starred in the groundbreaking, though short-lived, ABC sitcom "All-American Girl." Reflecting on the show, Cho recognized the challenges of balancing ethnic representation with network expectations, and how the experience shaped her understanding of her identity and comedic direction. Cho's pivotal moment came in 1999 with her off-Broadway one-woman show, "I'm The One That I Want." The production recounted her experiences on "All-American Girl" and received critical acclaim. It toured nationwide, was adapted into a concert film, and became a best-selling book. The film was a notable success, setting a record for box office earnings per screen. Building on this momentum, Cho launched her "Notorious C.H.O." tour in 2001, which concluded with a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall and was made into a film praised by the New York Times as "Brilliant!" Cho continued to captivate audiences with her third national tour, "Revolution," in 2003. This tour was lauded as her strongest work by the Chicago Sun Times and resulted in a concert film that premiered on the Sundance Channel and a Grammy-nominated album for best comedy album in 2003. Her incisive political humor came to the forefront with the "State of Emergency" tour during the 2004 presidential election, which evolved into the "Assassin" tour. This show, lauded for its topical and political edge, traveled across the US, Canada, and Australia, and was filmed in Washington D.C. In addition to her live performances, Cho explored narrative storytelling with her film "Bam Bam and Celeste," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005. That same year, her book "I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight" was published, showcasing her sharp wit and political engagement. Cho also ventured into performance art, hosting "The Sensuous Woman," a Los Angeles-based burlesque and comedy showcase, featuring diverse acts and gender play. Her advocacy for free expression and equal rights has earned her numerous accolades, including the First Amendment Award from the ACLU of Southern California and the Intrepid Award from the National Organization for Women. Cho has been honored by GLAAD, NOW, and various other organizations for her efforts in promoting equal rights across race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Cho sees herself as a truth-teller, using her voice to inspire others to speak boldly. For her, the true reward lies not in mainstream accolades but in encouraging self-expression and making a difference.