Bert Kreischer has built a comedy empire fueled by his outrageous humor, storytelling charm, and shirtless stage persona. With a net worth of $20 million as of 2025, Kreischer is more than just a stand-up comedian—he’s a podcaster, producer, actor, and a live entertainment powerhouse. Known as “The Machine,” Kreischer has turned a wild college story into a full-blown career, mixing genuine hilarity with relatable personal chaos.
Early Life and the Legend of “The Machine”
Bert Kreischer was born November 3, 1972, in Tampa, Florida, to Al, a real estate attorney, and Gege, who worked in early childhood development. He attended Jesuit High School before enrolling at Florida State University, where he joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and majored in English.
In 1997, The Princeton Review named FSU the top party school in America, and Rolling Stone published a six-page profile naming Bert “the top partyer at the number one party school.” That article sparked industry interest, including a movie deal with Oliver Stone that eventually fizzled out. However, the story lived on—it was adapted (without Bert’s involvement) into the 2002 comedy Van Wilder starring Ryan Reynolds.
Despite the missed film credit, Kreischer used the exposure to pursue stand-up, eventually transforming his now-iconic story about robbing a Russian train with the mafia—dubbed “The Machine”—into a routine that went viral with more than 80 million views.
Stand-Up Success and Comedy Specials
Bert’s stand-up career began in Tallahassee, performing at Potbelly’s bar. He later moved to New York City, working the door at Boston Comedy Club and quickly landing a sitcom deal through Will Smith’s production company.
Over the years, Kreischer has released several stand-up specials, including:
- Comfortably Dumb (2009)
- The Machine (2016)
- Secret Time (2018)
- Hey Big Boy (2020)
- Razzle Dazzle (2023, on Netflix)
His unfiltered, shirtless stage presence became his signature, resonating with fans who see him as both hilarious and human.
Box Office Success: “The Machine” Movie and Tour
In 2023, Bert brought his famous routine to the big screen with the release of The Machine, co-starring Mark Hamill. The film combined fiction with reality in a comedy-action format that expanded Kreischer’s reach beyond stand-up and podcasting.
His 2024 live comedy tour grossed an impressive $30 million, selling nearly 400,000 tickets across 64 shows—a massive feat in the stand-up industry. The tour confirmed his place among the highest-earning comedians currently performing.
Television and Reality Projects
Kreischer’s career also spans reality TV and travel shows. In 2004, he hosted Hurt Bert, which showcased him enduring extreme physical challenges. This was followed by Bert the Conqueror (2010–2011, 2016) and Trip Flip (2012–2015), both aired on the Travel Channel.
In 2020, he created The Cabin with Bert Kreischer on Netflix, a reality-comedy series where he invited celebrity friends to a mountain retreat for chaotic self-care experiments. He also developed and hosted Something’s Burning, a cooking show with a comedic twist.
Podcasting Empire
Kreischer is a dominant voice in the podcasting world. He launched Bertcast in 2012, recorded from his custom-built man cave in Los Angeles. He also co-hosts:
- 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura, one of the most downloaded comedy podcasts in the world
- Bill and Bert with Bill Burr, featuring loose conversations and comedic storytelling
These shows have built loyal fanbases and contribute significantly to Kreischer’s income through sponsorships and merchandise.
Personal Life and Family
Bert married LeeAnn Kemp in 2003, and they have two daughters—Georgia (born 2004) and Ila (born 2006). The family lives in Valley Village, Los Angeles, where LeeAnn also hosts her own podcast, Wife of the Party, often featuring their family stories and behind-the-scenes life with Bert.
In interviews, Kreischer describes himself as a loving but “mediocre” dad, emphasizing that parenting doesn’t come naturally to him but that he’s committed. He also notes that while he was raised Catholic and considers himself spiritual, the family is not religious due to his wife’s differing beliefs.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
In 2010, Bert and LeeAnn purchased a modest 1,400-square-foot home in Valley Village for $529,000. They’ve since heavily renovated the property, adding a podcasting studio and media center. They also own at least one additional property in Los Angeles and a house in Tampa, Florida.
The upgraded Valley Village home has become a central hub for Bert’s content production, from podcast recordings to guest interviews.
Media Appearances and Cultural Reach
Kreischer’s visibility extends across media. He’s been featured on talk shows including Conan, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, WTF with Marc Maron, and Doug Loves Movies.
In 2021, Variety honored him with the Creative Impact in Comedy Award, a recognition of his growing influence across multiple platforms.
Final Thoughts
Bert Kreischer’s rise from college party legend to global comedy star is a one-of-a-kind story. With a net worth of $20 million in 2025, a record-setting tour, a hit movie, and three popular podcasts, Kreischer is a comedic force who continues to evolve without losing touch with what made him famous: relatable chaos, loud laughter, and authenticity.
