Jo Koy credits his mother for his comedic and acting talents. She encouraged him to participate in school talent shows and to hold impromptu performances for his family and friends. This loving support led to performances at a Las Vegas coffee house, and inspired a move to Los Angeles.

The young comic began his stand-up career in 1994 at a comedy club in Las Vegas. Soon he moved from open mic night to a regular spot on the show Catch a Rising Star at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.^[1] After performing at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, he rented the Huntridge Theater and went door to door to sell tickets to his comedy shows.^[1]

A talent coordinator from Los Angeles spotted Koy and landed him his first television appearance on BET's ComicView. He has appeared on two seasons of Comic View.

The comedian has gone on to star in other TV stand-up specials like Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza!. Jo Koy has won the Showtime at the Apollo, performed in front of troops in the USO Tour, can be seen on various VH1 I Love the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, Tru TV's World's Dumbest and New Millennium episodes, Amp'd Mobile phone commercials and received a second invite to the Montreal comedy festival Just For Laughs, the series for which he was awarded Canada’s prestigious Gemini Award. Jo Koy is also a regular guest at Chelsea Handler’s roundtable discussion on E!'s Chelsea Lately. Jo Koy has also appeared on Carlos Mencia’s Punisher Tour performing stand-up comedy in front of fans filling 10,000-seat arenas across the country.^[6]