Anh Do is one of Australia’s most inspiring success stories, though his journey has been far from easy. In 1980, at just three years old, he arrived in Australia on a crowded fishing boat with refugees fleeing war-torn Vietnam. After surviving pirate attacks, dehydration and harsh conditions at sea, the passengers spent time in a Malaysian refugee camp before Anh’s family eventually settled in Sydney.

Determined to make the most of his opportunities, Anh showed an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. During school he ran a fish-breeding business, and later opened a retail store that expanded to four locations. Although he was close to finishing a double degree in Business and Law and had job offers from major law firms, Anh chose a different path — stand-up comedy.

Performing at Sydney comedy clubs while studying, his energetic humour and heartfelt storytelling quickly connected with audiences. He went on to win comedy awards, appear regularly on television and radio, and sell out major venues including the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

In 2011, Anh published his bestselling memoir The Happiest Refugee, which won multiple Australian book awards and remains widely loved today. He later adapted it into a successful national stage show.

Anh is also one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, with series including WeirDo, Hotdog!, Ninja Kid and Wolf Girl. In addition, he is an accomplished painter and was the star of the ABC series Anh’s Brush with Fame. He has won praise in the art world with an Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award for his portrait of actor Jack Charles.