Atsuko Okatsuka is a Taiwanese-American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer based in Los Angeles. Named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” in 2022, she became the second Asian American woman to have a stand-up special on HBO. Known for her unique comedic style, Atsuko blends absurdity with heartfelt storytelling, often drawing from her complex upbringing.
Born in Taiwan to Japanese and Taiwanese parents, Atsuko spent her early years in Japan before moving to the United States at age eight with her mother and grandmother, living undocumented for seven years. Her experiences deeply inform her comedy, which has been described as having a “childlike quality” with sharp social observations.
Atsuko released her debut comedy album, But I Control Me, in 2020 and hosted the game show Let’s Go Atsuko on Quibi. She gained widespread attention for performing a stand-up set during an earthquake at The Ice House in 2019, keeping the audience engaged with quick-witted jokes as the tremors unfolded. She made her late-night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2021, which Vulture declared had “won late night” that week.
Her HBO special The Intruder premiered in December 2022 and was named Best Debut of 2022 by The New York Times, also earning a spot on Vulture’s list of Best Comedy Specials of the Year. The special won Best Comedy Special at the Gracie Awards, and Variety recognised her in their 2023 Comedy Impact Report.
Beyond stand-up, Atsuko has made viral moments on talk shows, teaching Chelsea Handler and Guillermo Rodriguez her #DropChallenge on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and making Stephen Colbert laugh with Bible puns on The Late Show. She has been featured in Vanity Fair, PBS Newshour, and on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, where Margaret Cho crowned her as her comedic heir.
Atsuko’s journey—including being “kidnapped” by her grandmother to move to the U.S.—was shared on This American Life in 2023. With a career defined by resilience, humour, and community, she continues to make her mark as one of the most original voices in comedy today.
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