Rogen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Sandy, a social worker, and Mark Rogen, who works for non-profit organizations and as an assistant director of a Workmen's Circle. He has described his parents, who met at an Israeli kibbutz, as "radical Jewish socialists." He has one older sister, Danya, who is a social worker. Rogen attended Vancouver Talmud Torah Elementary School and Point Grey Secondary School (although he never graduated), incorporating many of his classmates into his writing. He was also known for the stand-up comedy he performed at Camp Miriam, a Habonim Dror camp. Rogen got his start in show business at age 12, after signing up gigs at the comedy club Yuk Yuks. With his deadpan humor, he placed second in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest at 16 years old. Also at age 16, he auditioned for Judd Apatow's television show Freaks and Geeks, and landed the role of Ken Miller. After dropping out of high school, he began working full time for Apatow.