Alex Duong, a talented comic, writer, and actor, has been a dedicated member of SAG-Aftra since 2009. In 2021, he embraced the role of a door guy at the renowned Comedy Store, with aspirations of becoming a ‘road dog’ known for his full hour of comedic material and a series of upcoming headlining shows. Comedy provided a much-needed supplementary income to help support his family, covering some of their essential bills.
Despite his achievements, Duong faced challenges in meeting the guild minimums for health insurance, even after gaining credits from popular shows like ‘Blue Bloods,’ ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ and Netflix’s ‘Historical Roasts.’ By January, he was poised for an ambitious tour, performing across 41 states, including some dates with ‘The Daily Show’ correspondent Ronny Chieng. Industry veteran Donnie Wahlberg, with whom Duong shared screen time in ‘Blue Bloods,’ advised him to prepare for an upcoming spinoff, adding to Duong’s excitement.
However, tragedy struck when wildfires swept through Los Angeles, affecting Duong and his family in West L.A. The ash rained down on their apartment, serving as a chilling reminder of the city’s volatility. Friends of Duong lost their homes to the flames, and the atmosphere of uncertainty weighed heavily on him. With the struggles exacerbated by the aftermath of COVID, he felt a creeping headache approaching, prompting him to switch from contacts to glasses.
At nine years sober and in good health, Duong suspected he just needed some self-care. He planned to recuperate with healthy juices, vitamin D, and relaxation. But upon returning to work at the Comedy Store, he was met with concern from his manager and wife, both alarmed by the condition of his eye.
A visit to the doctor revealed a serious diagnosis: alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer affecting soft tissue. A malignant mass was obstructing blood flow to his optic nerve. Support poured in during this challenging time from Comedy Gives Back, an organization founded by Amber J. Lawson, Jodi Lieberman, and Zoe Friedman, along with a crowdfunding campaign launched by Hilarie Steele.
Duong expressed gratitude for the outpouring of donations, particularly touched by contributions from those facing their own struggles. One $5 donation under the pseudonym Chris D’Elia even made him chuckle, breaking a long-standing period of sadness.
Medical challenges were compounded by his family’s lack of health insurance, a financial burden they had struggled to carry. Duong noted, “It was easier to pay the fine when you pay your taxes than to pay $12K a year.” After securing marketplace insurance, he rushed to visit the emergency room at St. John’s, where his daughter Everest was born, after noticing troubling symptoms.
Following a week in the hospital and a biopsy, it was determined his tumor was extremely aggressive and required immediate treatment. However, the medical facility lacked expertise in ophthalmology, presenting a significant hurdle for Duong. “If you want a clean comedy show, you don’t book Doug Stanhope,
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-04-15/facing-cancer-and-blindness-las-alex-duong-fights-to-keep-his-sight-and-stand-up-spirit
