Everything you need to know about Fire Island star Joel Kim Booster
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Actor and comedian Joel Kim Booster is quickly becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. The 35-year-old Korean-American has been making waves in the worlds of comedy, film, and TV, all while bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the forefront.
Booster got his start in web series and as a stand-up comedian, but his mainstream breakthrough came with the 2022 gay romantic comedy, “Fire Island.” In the film, Booster stars as Noah, a gay man who takes an annual trip with his queer best friends to Fire Island Pines for sex, sun, and salutations. Not only did Booster star in the film, but he also wrote and produced it. “Fire Island” is a contemporary adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice.”
In addition to “Fire Island,” Booster has appeared in popular TV shows such as “Shrill,” “Search Party,” and “Sunnyside.” He has also worked behind the scenes as a writer and co-producer on shows like “Big Mouth” and “The Other Two.”
One of the reasons Booster’s work is so impactful is because he consistently puts LGBTQ+ subjects and characters at the core of his productions. In an interview with Vulture in 2017, Booster shared, “I literally knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian.” He explained that he was adopted as a baby by white, conservative, religious Midwesterners and went through a tumultuous coming out process. Booster has not yet broached the topic of his sexuality with his parents, stating that they are all on eggshells. Despite this, he doesn’t need acceptance from them and believes that a healthy relationship can still look different for them.
On a more personal note, Booster is currently in a relationship with John-Michael Kelly, a senior creative game producer at Riot Games. The couple has been together for several years and recently made a public appearance together on the red carpet at the 2024 Emmy Awards. They looked stunning in complementing tuxedos and even shared a kiss for the cameras.
Another notable relationship in Booster’s life is his friendship with fellow comedian Bowen Yang. Both Asian American comedians, Booster and Yang have achieved great success in their careers. Yang, known for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” also starred alongside Booster in “Fire Island” as Howie, Noah’s close friend. However, in December, the pair called out media outlets for racism after they were repeatedly confused with one another. Yang specifically criticized The Hollywood Reporter for confusing him with Booster in an article discussing Juliana Margulies. Both Yang and Booster expressed frustration with the ongoing confusion and called for media outlets to do better in accurately identifying them.
Joel Kim Booster is undeniably a rising star in the entertainment industry. Through his work, he is bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the forefront and challenging societal norms. With his talent, charisma, and dedication to inclusivity, it’s no wonder that Booster’s name is one that everyone should know.
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