Josie Harrison: Who Is Jo Koy's Mother?

Who Is Jo Koy’s Mother?

Josie Harrison is the mother of American stand-up comedian and actor Joseph Glenn Herbert, known professionally as Jo Koy. Josie’s famous son Jo Koy was seen frequently as a panelist on E!’s late-night show Chelsea Lately. He tours across the US and can be heard as a weekly guest on the podcast, The Adam Carolla Show.

Josie Harrison: Bio Summary

Josie Harrison was born in the year 1948. She will be turning 75 in 2023. She is a native of Quezon City in the Philippines. She worked as an office manager for a Filipino rock band. She once said;

“I went to school on my own. I started from the bottom up. I worked two jobs to provide for the need of my four children. A banker during the day for Wells Fargo and a cashier/hostess at Denny restaurant at night. I did everything on my own”.

Josie Harrison married a white American called John C. Herbert. John was in the United States Air Force stationed in the Philippines. In Tacoma, Washington, U.S., on June 2, 1971, they welcomed a son and named him Joseph Glenn Herbert (Jo Koy).

They are also the parents of Rowena Cook, Gemma Herbert, and Robert Herbert. The family moved from Spanaway, Washington to Tacoma, Washington before relocating to Las Vegas. After Josie and her husband divorced, she raised her children as a single mother.

Jo Koy and his biological father didn’t have a good relationship as he grew up. He has a fine relationship with his stepfather named Sgt. Fred Harrison. Sgt. Fred is no longer alive. On Instagram Jo Koy announced his stepfather’s death. He shared a long message alongside some photos. He wrote:

My heart is heavy. I lost my hero Sgt. Fredrick Harrison. He served 20 years in the army. He received 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, and a CIB badge (he was most proud of this one) He was a hero. My hero. This man came into my life when I needed him the most. I was a teenager when Fred met my mom.

He was the father figure I needed. He taught me how to be tough and speak my mind. Loved the Dodgers! My favorite memory of Fred was watching the 1988 World Series on tv and the As were up 4-3 bottom of the 9th with 2 outs Lasorda puts an injured Gibson in.

Fred looked at me and said $100 the Dodgers going to win and I was like make it $300. With 2 strikes and 2 outs I was talking so much shit. Fred just looked at me and said “it ain’t over yet bubba.” Immediately after he said that Kirk hits it out of the park. Fred looked at me with the biggest smile laughing so hard and said “pay me my money!” I was broke with no job I was like “I don’t have it” and Fred said “I don’t care when you pay me… you just better pay me!” For years I didn’t pay him thinking he forgot he always made sure to remind me.

“Hey bubba where my money?!” I ended up paying him back but my favorite gift that I ever gave Fred was taking him to the NLCS The look on his face when he walked into Dodger stadium for the first time in his life was priceless. Ironically the dodgers win in extra innings with a walk off home run… of course! I love you Fred. Rest in paradise. “Rice is Rice.”

Also Read: Joseph Herbert Jr: Everything To Know About Jo Koy’s Son

However, Jo Koy reconciled with his biological father when he was older. He said:

“We have a great relationship now. My dad’s my biggest fan. When I went to college, my dad came into my life in full-on dad mode. I was doing comedy and he was so excited for my comedy, whereas my mom wasn’t. So we bonded through comedy. We’ve kissed and hugged and made up and moved forward.”

Josie Harrison often features in Jo Koy’s comedy skits. She is very proud of her son. She is excited that her son was able to rise to become a star. Initially, Josie didn’t agree with her son’s chosen profession. She confessed that she doubted Jo Koy’s success.

Josie Harrison said: “I just want my kids to have a degree, I want them to have a job with permanent pay. “I thought he was enrolled at UNLV [University of Nevada, Las Vegas], but I didn’t know he was pursuing comedy.

“I explained to him being a comedian is not for sure, because you have to have a show. That is only the time you will make money… which is, I think it turned out okay.”

Josie Harrison & Jo Koy’s Relationship

Josie Harrison and her son Jo Koy have a good mother-son relationship. Son Jo Koy has often given credit to his mother Josie for his comedic and acting skills. Mostly, Jo Koy tells stories about Josie Harrison in his comedy shows.

Josie Harrison encouraged her son to participate in school talent shows. She also motivated him to hold impromptu performances for his family and friends. As a result of Josie Harrison’s influence, Jo Koy began performing at a Las Vegas coffee house.

Jo Koy eventually got inspired to move to Los Angeles. Today, Jo Koy is one of the most popular and talented stand-up comics. He has earned the love of several people and has a massive fan base around the world. He is a philanthropist as well. He has been involved and contributed to charity work.

Also Read: Judy Sandler: Facts About Adam Sandler’s Mother

Jo Koy has his foundation, the Jo Koy Foundation, which raises money for children with medical needs, among other things. Jo Koy reportedly used funds from The Jo Koy Foundation and donated about 1.6 million Philippine pesos (approximately $29,200) to construct the quarter-mile concrete road for Alangilan National High School.

The Jo Koy Foundation hosted its first philanthropic event in “Hilarity for Charity” a stand-up comedy show featuring Jo Koy, along with special surprise comedic guests. The show took place at The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, located in the heart of Citywalk, Universal City, California.

Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to The Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He is a practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, training under Ivan Jennings.

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