Jo Koy Honors Two ‘Cool Dads’ in Heartfelt Father’s Day Tribute

Jo Koy kicked off Father’s Day weekend by posting a warm tribute to the two men who shaped his life. In a series of throwback snapshots, the Filipino-American comedian celebrated Msgt. John Herbert and his stepfather, Sgt. Fred Harrison, before quipping about his own journey into fatherhood.

A Double Salute To Fatherhood

On June 16, Jo Koy shared four images on Instagram. The first shows a young Jo nestled between two uniformed servicemen, identifying them in his caption as “two really cool dads.” He tagged his biological father, Msgt. John Herbert, and his stepdad, Sgt. Fred Harrison—both of whom served in the U.S. military. His next slides feature candid smiles, candid embraces and a proud dad-in-training holding his own son, Joseph, now an adult.

Jo wrote, “I was blessed with two really cool dads. Msgt. John Herbert & my stepdad Sgt. Fred Harrison. Now I’m a really cool Dad. Shoutout to all the really cool dads out there doing cool dad stuff with your really cool kids.” The simplicity of his message resonated: Jo Koy managed to honor his fathers while tipping his hat to every parent juggling work, life and quality time.

Jo Koy’s Own Fatherly Role

Much of Jo’s stand-up material draws on his relationship with his son, Joseph Glenn Herbert, born in 1997. Fans know him as the playful foil in routines about family, culture and growing up Filipino in America. In his Sunday post, Jo shared a current photo of himself cradling Joseph—now 27—onstage at one of his comedy shows, underscoring how fatherhood remains central to his life and career.

In interviews, Jo Koy often describes parenthood as both humbling and hilarious. He’s credited his own fathers with instilling discipline and compassion—qualities he aims to pass along. On Father’s Day, he proved that the lessons learned from heralded servicemen carry over into late-night diaper runs, sports-day school pick-ups and the daily grind of touring.

On The Road Between Salutes

Father’s Day arrives at a busy moment for Jo Koy. Last month, Billboard ranked him No. 4 on its Top 5 Most Successful Touring Comedians of 2025 list—his highest placement to date. He’s midway through his Just Being Koy Tour, which recently added stops across North America and Europe with promo code KOY for fans.

Despite packed arenas and global travel, Jo carved out time to reflect on his roots. In a follow-up Instagram Story, he reposted an old family portrait alongside theater posters from his first few solo shows, noting how far he’s come since performing in small clubs. His gratitude extended to fans, veteran dads and service members alike, reinforcing the post’s theme of legacy and love.

At its core, Jo Koy’s Father’s Day shout-out honors more than nostalgia. It underscores a life dedicated to laughter, respect and family bonds. Whether he’s riffing on toddler tantrums or riffing about Peoria crowds, he’s a son—and a dad—grateful for those who came before.

As the comedian heads back out on tour this week, he leaves us with a simple reminder: celebrating our fathers—biological, step or otherwise—adds depth to every punchline and every milestone.

Trivia

Jo Koy gained national recognition after appearing on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' multiple times, which helped to elevate his career in comedy.

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Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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