Bert Kreischer
Bert Kreischer is the shirtless, larger-than-life stand-up comedian who turned a wild college story into a 30-year career, and one of Netflix's most reliable comedy draws.
Who Is Bert Kreischer?
Bert Kreischer is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor born on November 3, 1972, in Tampa, Florida. He first exploded into public consciousness in 1997 when a Rolling Stone profile dubbed him “the top partyer at the number one party school in the nation” while he was still a student at Florida State University. That article, and the insane story behind it involving the Russian mafia, became the seed of his most famous bit, “The Machine,” which has been viewed tens of millions of times online.
From that origin story, Kreischer built a genuine comedy empire. He’s released multiple stand-up specials on Netflix, hosts the long-running podcast Bertcast, and co-hosts the hugely popular 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast with fellow comedian Tom Segura. His relentless touring schedule, boozy on-stage persona, and signature shirtless performances have made him one of the most recognizable faces in mainstream American comedy.
Kreischer is also a family man who is frequently open about his wife LeeAnn and their two daughters on social media, podcasts, and in his specials. That rare blend of frat-boy chaos and genuine domesticity is a big part of his appeal, he’s the guy who parties hard and coaches youth sports.
He’s been the subject of a biographical film adaptation: the 2023 movie The Machine, starring Kreischer himself, is a loose dramatization of his famous Russian mafia story. He’s also stepped further into acting and producing, cementing a media presence well beyond the comedy club circuit.