Peter Chao
{{short description|Canadian comedian (born 1987)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Peter Chao
| image = Peter Chao, vlogging, indoors (October 2015) (cropped).png
| alt = Tong, wearing his glasses and a Sleeveless shirt underneath a hoodie jacket, is looking straight at the camera from his living room.
| caption = Tong in 2015
| birth_name = Davin Tong
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|5|8}}
| birth_place = Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = Chelsea McGeachy (2013-present)
| occupation = YouTube personality
| years_active = 2009-present
| alma_mater = Vancouver Film School
| movement =
| works =
| awards =
| website = {{url|https://www.youtube.com/user/pyrobooby}}
}}
Davin Tong, better known by his alias Peter Chao (born 1987), is a Canadian actor,{{Cite web |date=2021-08-02 |title=Meet Davin Tong {{!}} Actor, Comedian and TikTok-er |url=https://shoutoutla.com/meet-davin-tong-actor-comedian-and-tiktok-er/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=SHOUTOUT LA |language=en-US}} comedic vlogger, and YouTube personality. He is known for his unconventional portrayals of Asian stereotypes, which alongside other comedic videos have amassed a following of over 1.2{{nbsp}}million followers on TikTok and almost 800,000 subscribers on YouTube. Born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada, Tong is the second son of "Chinese immigrants", while his character Chao was born and raised in Hong Kong. Tong is bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Cantonese.
Early life and education
Davin Tong{{cite web |url=http://thebellevuescene.com/davin-tong-the-funny-man-behind-chao-nation/3179/ |publisher=The Bellevue Scene |title=Davin Tong – the funny man behind Chao Nation |first=Gabrielle |last=Nomura |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709215013/http://thebellevuescene.com/davin-tong-the-funny-man-behind-chao-nation/3179/ |url-status=dead }} was born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada, the second son of Chinese immigrants.{{cite news|url=https://www.straight.com/arts/vancouvers-youtube-sensation-peter-chao-offender-realm|title=Vancouver's YouTube sensation Peter Chao the offender of the realm|last=Usinger|first=Mike|date=August 4, 2010|newspaper=straight|access-date=January 21, 2013}} He produced an early version of Paper Trail, a minute-long short film pertaining to a neighbor caught stealing newspapers, with director Travis Grant. The film caught the Vancouver Film School's attention and it subsequently issued scholarships to them.{{cite web |title=Director's Statement |url=http://gradualupgrade.com/paper-trail-2/directors-statement/ |publisher=Gradual Upgrade Productions |access-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216043922/http://gradualupgrade.com/paper-trail-2/directors-statement/ |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Tong graduated in 2008.{{cite web|publisher=Principals Talent |title=Peter Chao |url=http://www.principalstalent.com/talent/peter_chao |access-date=January 24, 2013 }}
Background
=Personal life=
Tong realised his flair for vlogging when one of his first YouTube uploads, about a Chinese restaurant run by Southeast Asians, garnered around 15,000 views.{{cite news|url=http://digitaljournal.com/article/329147 |work=Digital Journal |title=The real Peter Chao? 1-on-1 with the YouTube comedian |first=Julianne |last=Keu |access-date=January 21, 2013 |date=July 24, 2012 }} Under the username pyrobooby,{{cite news|newspaper=Amped Asia |first=Kevin |last=Tang |date=January 6, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2013 |title=Interview with Peter Chao |url=http://www.ampedasia.com/article/Interview-with-Peter-Chao/ }}{{cite web |url=http://funnyandspicy.com/psy-gangnam-style-parody-by-peter-chao-canton-style-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723082733/http://funnyandspicy.com/psy-gangnam-style-parody-by-peter-chao-canton-style-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2013 |publisher=Funny and Spicy |title=PSY Gangnam Style Parody By Peter Chao – Canton Style (Video) |date=October 31, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2013 }} Tong adopted the guise of "Chinese Guy",{{cite web|url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2012/08/peter-chao/ |title=PETER CHAO - YOUTUBE COMEDIAN |first=Adam |last=Van |publisher=NMR |access-date=January 21, 2013 |date=August 21, 2012 }} and later Peter Chao. Tong described the character as born and raised in Hong Kong,{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/laughoutloud/list/advocates/peterchao.html|title=List of Laughs 2010|author=Laugh Out Loud with Craig Norris|publisher=CBC Radio|access-date=January 24, 2013}} and "a zany Chinese immigrant forced into Canada by his street hustling mother. Instead of listening to his mother to go to school, he decided to pursue comedy on YouTube."
Tong's character Chao has drawn mixed reception, often being mistaken as a real person. After a misunderstanding with YouTube and Google officials, the account had been previously suspended for a period of fourteen days but reinstated and has remained free of controversy for over 10 years. Gabriella Nomura of The Vancouver Sun has branded Chao as "a breath of politically incorrect fresh air", while Kevin Tang of Amped Asia has called him "one of the most funny YouTube celebrities". However, viewership has been positive. The "Canton Style" music video – a parody of Korean singer-rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style"{{cite web|url=http://www.channelapa.com/2012/10/canton-style-by-peter-chao-gangnam-style-parody.html|title=Canton Style by Peter Chao (Gangnam Style Parody)|last=Hsieh|first=Kevin|date=October 28, 2012|publisher=Channel APA|access-date=January 24, 2013}} – amassed 1.1 million views within three days of its uploading.{{cite news|url=http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/421179/gangnam-style-gets-the-peter-chao-touch/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219185933/http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/421179/gangnam-style-gets-the-peter-chao-touch/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2013|title=Gangnam Style gets the Peter Chao touch|last=Torrevillas|first=Phylicia|date=October 30, 2012|newspaper=Metro News|access-date=January 21, 2013}} His videos are, as of 2011, the number one and two most watched in Canada.{{cite news|url=http://audreymagazine.com/tag/peter-chao/|title=Best of 2010: YouTube Stars|date=December 26, 2010|newspaper=Audrey Magazine|access-date=January 24, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231217/http://audreymagazine.com/tag/peter-chao/|url-status=dead}} Tong has said, in response to audience comments that his performances are "controversial", that everything is "done for comedy. I don't discriminate when it comes to comedy". I take stereotypes and I make them outlandish so everybody can laugh."
=Creative Content=
Chao is seen in almost every video as sporting a pair of sunglasses a habit which kindled viewer interest.{{cite news |url=http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2009/09/10-questions-with-peter-chao/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216235858/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2009/09/10-questions-with-peter-chao/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |title=10 Questions With Peter Chao |newspaper=Vancouver Buzz |date=September 21, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2013 }} Tong attributes the sunglasses as contributing to Chao's "cool factor". In the videos, Chao puts on a "thick, over-the-top Cantonese"{{cite news|newspaper=Vancouver Observer |url=http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/investigations/2011/03/23/ethnicity-immigration-and-becoming-canadian-vancouvers-high?page=0,0 |title=Ethnicity, immigration, and becoming Canadian in Vancouver's high schools |date=March 23, 2011 |first=Beth |last=Hong |access-date=January 23, 2013 }} and "fresh-off-the-boat" accent.{{cite news|newspaper=Vancouver Observer |url=http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/tmi/2012/01/27/chinese-new-year-youtube-celebs-peter-chao-and-bubbi-share-their-favorite |title=Chinese New Year: YouTube celebs Peter Chao and Bubbi share their favorite memories |first=Wendee |last=Lang |date=January 27, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2013 }} Chao also parodies popular songs, such as the Justin Bieber hits "As Long as You Love Me" and "Boyfriend", as well as criticizing and poking fun at other people, usually with profane language. Fans of Chao are referred to as "Chao Nation". Beth Hong of The Vancouver Observer writes that Chao is an example of a "FOB" or a "Honger". Tong – speaking in character – refutes this, stating, in a tongue and cheek manner, that "a FOB is a fresh-off-the-boat immigrant that come {{sic}} all the way from China to study in North America. Don't look at me, I'm not a FOB. I'm Peter Chao. FOBs can't speak a lick of English."
He performed a stand-up comedy set in the 2022 Canadian series Comedy Invasion.Elisabetta Bianchini, [https://ca.news.yahoo.com/comedy-invasion-asian-comics-canada-quentin-lee-222359939.html "The series Canadian broadcasters passed on: 'Comedy Invasion' series makes world premiere with Asian, diverse comics"]. Yahoo! News, November 29, 2022.
=Acting=
After leaving an indelible mark on the social media landscape with an incredibly successful run as one of the top 50 YouTubers in the world as ‘Peter Chao’ (2009-2012 / 800K subscriptions / 200M global views), Davin Tong set his eyes on the acting world. In 2016, Tong began his journey to pursue the artful craft of playing make-believe and from starring alongside film legends like Peter Dinklage (“American Dreamer”) to carrying his own alongside legendary character actors like Danny Trejo (in Season 4 of 'The Flash'), he did just that.
His career continued to evolve in 2018, recurring in 3 episodes as a troubled young man who would soon develop a drug addiction in Netflix’s “Wu Assassins” as “Young Tommy” and followed that with back-to-back appearances in ABC’s “A Million Little Things”, Disney’s “Gabby Duran”, CBC Gem’s “Wild Cards”, and most recently in a Hallmark feature, “The Wedding Season”.
As Davin continues to chase the acting itch, he also made the most of his time during the pandemic, starting a TikTok page that grew his following to 1.2M followers and 30M video likes; an endeavour that helped ink him a sponsorship endorsement deal with Prime Video to promote their new catalog of films and original programming.
=Professional Wrestling=
Chao has appeared frequently in Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling beginning July 6, 2013 in Port Coquitlam, B.C. where Colt Cabana taught him a few things about wrestling. He was a part of ECCW Ballroom Brawl at the Commodore Ballroom in January 2014, the largest attendance for independent wrestling in Vancouver in the last 25 years.
Discography
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%" | ||
| style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Record label ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes | ||
| rowspan="1" | 2010
| "Harry" | Pyrobooby Records | Lyrics by Peter Chao, parody of Justin Bieber's "Baby". |
| rowspan="4" | 2011
| "Asian and I Know It" | Peter Chao | Directed by IFHT and produced by JGrammBeats, parody of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It". |
| "Mudabitch" | Peter Chao | Directed by IFHT & Van Dinh, produced by Gentleman Vibe, parody of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend". |
| "Mudafucka" | Pyrobooby Records | Written and produced by Peter Chao. |
| "Fuck Christmas" | Gentleman's Vibe | Directed by IFHT, vocals by Gentlemen's Vibe. |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| "As Rong As You Ruv Me" | Peter Chao | Directed by Van Dinh and produced by Gentleman's Vibe, parody of Justin Bieber's "As Long as You Love Me". |
| "Canton Style" | Peter Chao | Directed by Matt Dennison and produced by Justin Villarosa, parody of Psy's "Gangnam Style". |
| rowspan="4" |2013
| "Poop and Fart" | Peter Chao | Written and produced by Peter Chao, parody of will.i.am's "Scream & Shout". |
| "Canton Style" | Peter Chao | Directed by Matt Dennison and produced by Justin Villarosa, parody of Psy's "Gangnam Style". |
| "Douche" | Peter Chao | Written and produced by Peter Chao, parody of Taylor Swift's "22 (Taylor Swift song)". |
| "White Man Food" | Peter Chao | Written and produced by Peter Chao. |
Filmography
=Commercials=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%" | ||
| style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes | ||
| rowspan="1" | 2012
| Campbell's Soup{{cite web|title=Agent|url=http://www.principalstalent.com/talent/peter_chao|publisher=Principals Talent|access-date=4 February 2013}} | SOC | North America, 2012 |
| rowspan="2" | 2013 | Principal | North America, 2013 |
| Vote 2013 PSA | Principal | BC Regional, 2013 |
=Film=
=Theatre and Stage=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" | ||
| style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Theatre/Stage | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2011 | Headliner | Parlor Live! Club, Bellevue, Washington |
| Peter Chao and Friends | Headliner | Punch Line Comedy Club, Bellingham, Washington |
| Peter Chao and Friends{{cite web|title=Peter Chao and Friends at Punch Line Comedy Club|url=http://www.sfstandup.com/calendar/show.php?eventid=10343|publisher=sfstandup.com|access-date=4 February 2013}} | Headliner | Punch Line Comedy Club, San Francisco |
| rowspan="1" | 2013 | Headliner | Revue Stage, Vancouver |
| rowspan="1" | 2014
| Peter Chao{{`s}} Asian Domination Tour{{cite news|url=http://is.asia-city.com/events/singapore-comedy/peter-chao%E2%80%99s-asian-domination-tour-peterchaosg|publisher=i-s Singapore|title=Peter Chao's Asian Domination Tour!|access-date=June 2, 2014}} | Headliner | National University of Singapore, Singapore |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/user/pyrobooby Official YouTube channel]
- [https://www.youtube.com/peterchaotime Second Official YouTube channel]
- {{Twitter}}
- {{IMDb name|2682038|Peter Chao}}
- [http://www.principalstalent.com/talent/peter_chao Principals Talent Profile]
- {{Rotten Tomatoes person|peter_chao}}
{{Portal bar|Internet|Film|Arts|Canada|Hong Kong|Biography}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chao, Peter}}
Category:21st-century Canadian comedians
Category:21st-century Canadian male actors
Category:Canadian music video directors
Category:Canadian male actors of Chinese descent
Category:Canadian male comedians
Category:Canadian male film actors
Category:Comedians from New Brunswick
Category:Comedians from Vancouver
Category:Male actors from New Brunswick