Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1988-05-27
- Born Place: Taiwan
Also Known As:
アツコ オカツカ, 岡塚 敦子, 岡塚敦子
Atsuko Okatsuka
Atsuko Okatsuka is a Japanese-American stand-up comedian, writer, and actress based in Los Angeles, celebrated for her unique blend of humor, vulnerability, and cultural insight. Born in Taiwan to a Taiwanese mother and Japanese father, she moved to the United States at age eight with her mother and grandmother, living undocumented for seven years. Raised by her grandmother, who also suffered from schizophrenia, Okatsuka's formative years were marked by instability and resilience. She began her comedic journey after being introduced to stand-up through a Margaret Cho DVD during a church sermon, leading her to pursue comedy as a means of expression and connection. Okatsuka's comedic style is characterized by its deadpan delivery, physical humor, and candid storytelling. She gained widespread recognition with her 2022 HBO special, The Intruder, directed by Tig Notaro, making her the second Asian American woman to have an hour-long stand-up special on the network. The special was lauded by The New York Times as the best debut of 2022 and was listed among the best comedy specials by Vulture and Variety. In 2025, Okatsuka released her second stand-up special, Father, on Hulu and Disney+, which delves into themes of family, identity, and healing. The special explores her relationship with her estranged father and reflects on her immigrant experience, blending humor with poignant insights. Beyond her stand-up work, Okatsuka is known for her viral #DropChallenge, which she created with her grandmother, and her distinctive fashion sense, often featuring bold colors and food-themed accessories. She has also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and This American Life, where she shared her journey of coming to the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant .
