Kimball Cho

Kimball Cho
The Mentalist character
Tim Kang as Kimball Cho
First appearance	"Pilot"
Last appearance	"White Orchids"
Created by	Bruno Heller
Portrayed by	Tim Kang
Information
Nickname(s)	Ernie Ice Man Cho Friday
Gender	Male
Occupation	FBI Special Agent Former Agent for the California Bureau of Investigation Former U.S. Army
Title	Supervisory Special Agent (FBI) Special Agent (CBI)
Family	unknown
Significant other(s)	Elise Chaye (ex-girlfriend) Summer Edgecombe (ex-girlfriend)
Children	None
Nationality	Korean-American  USA

Kimball Cho is a fictional character portrayed by Tim Kang on the American TV crime drama The Mentalist. Cho is a former agent for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and is currently an FBI special agent. Cho serves as the polar opposite to Patrick Jane, but is keen to learn his powers of observation. He is portrayed as straightforward and direct, but sometimes makes witty jokes with much of the humour lying in his ability to deadpan. According to The Mentalist Code, he received his name from Dr. Richard Kimble, just as Red John received his name from Fred Johnson, the one-armed man on The Fugitive.

A native of Oakland, California, Cho had a colorful adolescence, having been an aspiring baseball player and then a member of the local ethnic gang "Avon Park Playboys". As a member of the Playboys, he was known as "Iceman", because according to gang member Jon Jon, "if you wanted something done cold, you got Cho" — a reference to his cool and collected character. Jane remarks that this has not changed. At age 14, he stole a car and promptly crashed it a yard down the street. The turning point came when he shot the gang leader KS in the shoulder because he was planning for the Playboys to conduct a home invasion in which Cho did not wish to take part. Within weeks of getting out of the gang, Cho enlisted in the U.S. Army, eventually serving in the Special Forces (1st Special Forces Group).

It is implied that Cho's parents were immigrants and the character, like actor Tim Kang, is able to speak some Korean.

Cho is well regarded by the CBI team, showing concern and the desire to help when Jane is going through difficulties. At most times, Cho seems to be the calmest and most clearheaded of the agents, but is shown to have a loose temper if someone he cares for is threatened. He is usually the agent that makes the arrest, reads suspects their rights and acts as the team’s main interrogator, often partnering Wayne Rigsby when attempting to chase down suspects. Due to his former gang affiliations and military background he is street savvy and also highly proficient in and has an extensive knowledge of firearms. He is usually tasked with the more physical nature of the job, such as chasing down suspects and making the arrest.