Aaron Chen: Bio, Comedy Style, and Where to Watch

Who is Aaron Chen?

Aaron Chen is an Australian comedian and actor from Sydney who has earned rapid recognition in the comedy world despite being relatively new to the North American scene. At just 15 years old, he won Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s “Class Clowns” competition in 2012—a national competition for high-school children that marked the beginning of his comedy journey.

In 2017, Aaron performed his debut solo show “The Infinite Faces Of Chenny Baby” at both the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals, earning Best Newcomer awards at both festivals. This double recognition signaled that Australian comedy audiences saw something special in his voice.

Beyond stand-up, Aaron has built an acting career in Australia, with feature roles in the ABC series “Ronny Chieng: International Student,” the Seven Network’s “Orange is the New Brown,” and the international hit Netflix series “Fisk.” From 2021 onward, he played probate clerk and Webmaster George in Kitty Flanagan’s ABC sitcom “Fisk,” giving him sustained television presence.

In October 2023, Aaron made a major career move: he relocated from Sydney to New York City on an alien of extraordinary ability visa—an immigration category reserved for people with exceptional abilities in their field. This move positioned him to pursue comedy at the highest levels in the world’s comedy capital.

His impact in the New York comedy scene has been immediate. In 2025, Deadline named him one of 15 “Comedians Ready to Break Out,” and Vulture included him on their “2024 Comedians You Should Know” list. His YouTube special “If Weren’t Filmed Nobody Would Believe” has accumulated over 1 million views.

Aaron Chen’s Comedy Style

Aaron’s comedy reflects his unique position: an Australian in New York, an actor and stand-up, someone who has built a following in Australia and is now building one in America. His material likely touches on cultural differences, the experience of being a foreigner, relationships, and the specific absurdities of his life. His ability to win best newcomer awards in two separate festivals suggests material that feels fresh and has a distinctive voice.

What makes Aaron stand out is his versatility. He’s equally comfortable in television (as an actor), on stage (as a stand-up), and in digital media (with over 1 million YouTube views). This flexibility suggests a performer who can adapt without losing his essential voice.

What Fans and Fellow Comedians Say

Aaron’s immigration on an extraordinary ability visa speaks to recognition from US authorities that he’s a significant talent. Deadline’s inclusion of him in their 15 breakout comedians of 2025 and Vulture’s recognition position him as someone to watch in the comedy world. His Australian awards suggest he’s built something real in his home country before making his move to America.

Where to Find Aaron Chen

Follow Aaron on Instagram at @chennylifestyle (405K followers) for tour dates and updates. Visit his official website at aaronchencomedy.com.

Catch Aaron Chen’s sets on Mint Comedy at watch.mintcomedy.com, where he performs from the Comedy Cellar in New York City.