Matt Rife, the comedian who broke the internet with his videos. If you’ve been following him long enough, you already know people are wondering how much he’s making from his shows.
I mean, the guy went from 0 to 100 overnight. That’s bound to arouse everyone’s curiosity. Well, I’m here to answer that question.
I’ll cover all of Rife’s income streams and give you an accurate estimate of his current net worth. Let’s get right to it!
Matt Rife’s Income Streams
Here’s the first rule of covering a celebrity’s net worth: You need to identify their income streams. That’s pretty much it.
Stand-Up Comedy
Matt Rife is one of the hottest comics in the comedy scene today. If you’re a stand-up fan, his videos have probably popped up on your YouTube or TikTok feed.
It’s like the world woke up one day and found Matt Rife everywhere, whether on social media, Television shows, or podcasts. So, it’s the classic story of overnight success, right? Not really.
Anyone in show business will tell you that the world of stand-up comedy is cruel, and only a few make it in that business. Although Rife started doing stand-up when he was 15, he struggled to make a name for himself for more than a decade.
It’s mind-boggling. How could an industry built on making people laugh be that relentless?
Finding Success
After getting rejected more than he could count, Rife considered quitting comedy in 2022 and pursuing a 9-5 job. However, one of his friends advised him to put clips of his bits on TikTok as a form of marketing, and that was the start of it all.
Rife’s clips took off, gaining millions of views overnight. His ability to make jokes on the spot made people appreciate his witty crowd work.
He kept riding that momentum until he got his first Netflix special, Natural Selection, one of the most-watched comedy specials in 2023.
So, how much money is he making from stand-up now? Well, in June of 2023, Rife announced his problematic world tour, and in only two days, he sold 600,000 tickets.
With each ticket costing $50-95, this tour has garnered $30-57 million. Of course, he didn’t take all that money for himself, but he probably got a good chunk of it.
Television Appearances
As an unknown comic, Rife couldn’t depend on his comedy income alone to support himself. It’s not like he was getting a lot of work. So, he had to venture into other creative endeavors and chose acting.
Why? Think of it this way: Comedy is all about delivery, and proper delivery requires solid acting skills.
In other words, a good comedian = a decent actor (at the least).
Unfortunately, like comedy, Matt didn’t find instant success in acting. He started with minor roles in TV shows like Average Joe and Wild ‘n Out.
If you’re a fan of the hit TV series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you might remember his cameo in “The Tattler” episode.
His luck with movies wasn’t any better, securing supporting roles in films like “Room 236,” “Sophom*ore Year,” and “American Typist.” Don’t get me wrong. These movies got good ratings but didn’t garner that much recognition.
It wasn’t until Rife’s rise to fame that he started appearing in more ambitious projects. He got the leading role in “The Private Eye” and nailed it. His performance was authentic and refreshing, establishing his name as an actor.
Although he never revealed how much he’s made from these movies, we can only assume it contributed to his current net worth, even a little bit.
It’s Not All About the Money
Despite not having the most significant success on television, Rife always stayed true to himself and only played roles he believed in. How do I know that? In 2017, he was asked to host Total Request Live’s reboot, where he was paid $15,000 a week.
That’s a gig most comedians would dream of. Unfortunately, he eventually quit because he thought the script was too humorless, and Matt Rife can’t be anything else if not funny.
That was the moment he understood that money doesn’t buy happiness. I bet not all comedians would do the same.
Sponsorships
As a successful comedian who tours the world and meets millions of fans, it’s only natural that brands want to sponsor Matt Rife. Who could say no to all that exposure?
His most recent deal was with the Los Angeles-based alkaline water brand ZenWTR, which sponsored his problematic tour. If you’ve watched any of his early 2024 YouTube shorts, you probably saw him drinking from that distinctive blue ZenWTR bottle. Now you know why.
Cameo Videos
No, I’m not talking about movie cameos. If you don’t know, Camo is a platform that allows fans to connect with their favorite celebrities. All you have to do is send your targeted celebrity a request with all the information you want them to include.
They make a short video, giving you a shoutout the way you requested, and everyone lives happily ever after. Guess who offered his services on that platform.
Even after finding global fame, Matt Rife still found joy in making these videos for his fans.
I know what you’re thinking: “How much could he be making from these silly videos?” Well, he used to charge up to $400 for one video.
However, when he rose to fame, he noticed that people were buying his videos and uploading them on TikTok to get millions of views. So, he raised his videos’ prices even more. I might have to make a career shift soon.
Matt Rife’s Net Worth
Matt Rife’s net worth is around $30 million, which isn’t surprising, given that he’s one of the most successful comedians in the world today. If he keeps up the good work, there’s no telling where he’ll go next.
Who Is Matt Rife Dating?
In 2017, Matt Rife briefly dated actress Kate Beckinsale when he was 21 years old and she was 43. Though the specifics of their relationship were kept private, Rife later described it as “definitely complicated” with its “ups and downs” in an interview with TMZ. They ended their relationship in April 2019.
In October 2023, Rife confirmed his relationship with Jessica Lowe. Just a month later, in November 2023, they made their first public appearance as a couple on the red carpet at the Forbes Top Creators event in New York.
Final Thoughts
Now you know everything there is about Matt Rife’s net worth. Despite his talent, the comedian didn’t find instant success until the power of social media came to his rescue.
With a clever marketing strategy and an electrifying comedy performance, Rife has become an established name in the comedy industry.
Images source: Instagram
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