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Matt Rife

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Matt Rife
Rife in 2021
Birth nameMatthew Steven Rife
Born (1995-09-10) September 10, 1995 (age 29)
North Lewisburg, Ohio, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
Years active2010–present
Genres
Subject(s)
WebsiteOfficial website

Matthew Steven Rife[1] (born September 10, 1995)[2] is an American comedian and actor. From the village of North Lewisburg, Ohio, Rife is best known for his self-produced comedy specials Only Fans (2021), Matthew Steven Rife (2023) and Walking Red Flag (2023), his 2023 Netflix specials Natural Selection and Lucid, as well as his previous recurring role on the sketch improv comedy and rap show Wild 'n Out.

Early life

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Matt Rife was born in the village of North Lewisburg, Ohio,[3] and grew up in North Lewisburg.[1] He also lived in New Albany and Mount Vernon.[4] Rife first took an interest in comedy at 14 years old, when a teacher said that there would be a talent show at his high school. After a friend encouraged him, he did the show—and started performing professionally a year later at 15.[2] He has four siblings: three older stepsisters and one younger half-sister.[5] His father, Michael Eric Gutzke, died by suicide when Rife was 17 months old.[6]

Career

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In 2017, Matt Rife was a host on the short-lived reboot of Total Request Live and appeared on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.[7][8] In 2018 he played a role in the B-movie slasher film Black Pumpkin.[9] Rife is also a paranormal investigator featured on the YouTube channel "Overnight".[10][11][12][13] He was further featured on the television series Bring the Funny in 2019,[14] where he advanced to the Semi-final Showcase but was eliminated in week 8, and the Netflix special Natural Selection.

Rife has self-produced comedy specials Only Fans (2021), Matthew Steven Rife (2023), and Walking Red Flag (2023).[14] He also had guest roles on the sketch comedy and improv game show series Wild 'n Out, as Brandon Bliss on the comedy television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and as Logan on the sitcom television series Fresh Off the Boat.[15] The New York Times described him in 2022 as "just another struggling road comedian" who then became more popular from TikTok over the following year.[16]

In December 2022, Rife signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).[17] In April 2023, he released a self-titled special Matthew Steven Rife on Valentine's Day.[18] He then released another special in June 2023 titled Walking Red Flag, focusing on crowd-work. Rife states that he created an entire special surrounding the topic of audience "red flags" to stop audiences from interrupting his future sets with the bit.[19]

On November 15, 2023, Rife released his Netflix standup special Natural Selection, which Vulture reviewed as "half uninspiring dick jokes ... and entirely underwhelming."[20] Cracked stated of the special that the main take aways were "There are lots of women that Rife doesn't care for. He's got it in for waitresses with black eyes (why can't they stay hidden in the kitchen?), hippie chicks, his religious ex, flight attendants who insist on enforcing the rules and the "heavier set." The only women he claims to like are the grandmas he wants to bang."[21]

The special attracted controversy due to a domestic violence joke at the beginning. In a statement in response to the controversy, Rife linked a fake apology note to a website that offered safety helmets for people with disabilities.[22] Rife attracted further controversy in December 2023 after posting a message to a six-year-old child that claimed his mother purchased gifts for him from the profits she earned on the website OnlyFans.[23][24] He deleted the message after a public outcry against his comments.[23]

Influences

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Rife has said his biggest influences in comedy are Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais, and Dane Cook. Rife performed at Dave Chappelle's 50th birthday show at Madison Square Garden and has called Chappelle a mentor.[25][26] He has also said Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Jim Varney, David Spade, Pauly Shore, and Robin Williams are people he found influence from.[27]

Personal life

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Rife currently resides in Rhode Island nearby to Burrillville.[28]

Rife mentioned in his comedy special Only Fans (2021) that he had clinical depression and an anxiety disorder.[29]

Rife identifies as a Christian but is not religious,[30] in an Instagram post saying that "I wear a Jesus cross around my neck for the same reason regular dudes wear NBA player basketball jerseys — I've never met the guy, but I tell people I can dunk like him at LA Fitness."[31]

Filmography

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Film

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Film credits
Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2015 Room 236 Matt / Premier Poker Club Orlando [32]
2017 Sophomore Year Jake Riker
2018 Black Pumpkin Flash [33][34]
The Debt Matt Short film
2019 American Typecast Robber No. 2 Short film [35]
2021 After Masks Wolf Segment: "Winners" [34]
The Elevator Michael Juniper [36][37]
Death Link Darrin [38]
Just Swipe Colin
2022 North of the 10 Matt Downes [39]
The Curse of Wolf Mountain James [40][41]
2023 Karma's a Bitch Kyle Post-production [42]
Candy Flip † Nathan Post-production
Trapped Inn Connor Also executive producer; post-production [43][44]
The Private Eye Mort Madison Completed [45]
Don't Suck Ethan Completed [46][47]
I Live Here Now Travis post-production
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

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Television credits
Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2014 Average Joe Danny 3 episodes [34]
2015–2017 Wild 'n Out Self 16 episodes [48]
2015–2016 Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything Doyle O'Doyle 2 episodes [49]
2016 Wild 'N on Tour Matt Rife 10 episodes
2016 WTH: Welcome to Howler Jesse 7 episodes [50]
2017–2018 The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars Self 8 episodes [51]
2019 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brandon Bliss Episode: "The Tattler" [8]
Stalked by My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare Leo Television film [52]
Bring the Funny Self Episode: "The Open Mic 1" [53]
2020 Fresh Off the Boat Logan Episode: "Mommy and Me" [8]
2021 Burb Patrol Alex 10 episodes [54]
2024 That '90s Show Travis Episode: "Friends in low Places"

Stand-up

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Year Title Notes Ref(s)
2020 ATL Comedy Arts Fest, Volume 2 Also writer [55][56]
2021 Matt Rife: Only Fans Also writer and executive producer; YouTube special [29][14]
2023 Matthew Steven Rife Also writer and executive producer; YouTube special [57][14]
Walking Red Flag Also writer; YouTube special [58][14]
Natural Selection Also writer and executive producer; Netflix special
2024 Lucid: A crowd work special (Netflix special)

References

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  1. ^ a b Moorwood, Victoria (June 8, 2023). "Who is Matt Rife? Facts to know about the comedian and TikTok star from Central Northern Ohio area". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Matt Rife Q&A". September 10, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2023 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Matt Rife". mn2s.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Central Northern Ohio native Matt Rife falls short of finale in NBC's 'Bring the Funny'". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Bertcast # 513 – Matt Rife & Me". April 14, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Columbus Dispatch Obituaries (1985–2023) – Columbus, OH".
  7. ^ Deville, Chris (October 5, 2017). "MTV's New TRL Is A Vapid, Obnoxious Mess". Stereogum. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Vogel, Emily (June 8, 2021). "Join a Conversation on 'Cancel Culture in Comedy' with Maz Jobrani, Skye Townsend, Matt Rife and Suni Reyes". Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "Who is Matt Rife? Five things to know about the Columbus native and comedian". The Columbus Dispatch.
  10. ^ Casiraghi-Brody, Chiara (December 22, 2017). "Matt Rife: The Funny One". Lapalme Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Grobar, Matt (September 29, 2020). "'Lowkey Outside Comedy' Producers Matt Rife & Paul Elia On Bringing Live Stand-Up Back To Los Angeles: 'Comedy Will Find A Way'". Deadline. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  12. ^ "Matt Rife Interview". Naluda Magazine. January 9, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Pop Culturalist Chats with Matt Rife". Pop-Culturalist.com. December 7, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e Walters, Grant (August 30, 2019). "Comedy Spotlight: Get to Know Matt Rife". Columbus Underground. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Drury, Sharareh (November 14, 2023). "Matt Rife Talks New Special 'Natural Selection,' TikTok Fame, and Not Stressing About Offending Anyone". Variety. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Kurutz, Steven (July 8, 2023). "Making Them Laugh, and Swoon". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Chan, J. Clara (December 14, 2022). "Comedian Matt Rife Signs With CAA". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  18. ^ McCobb, Jeff (February 15, 2023). "How TikTok Blew Up Comedian Matt Rife's Career And OnlyFans, His Hourlong Special". Cinemablend. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  19. ^ "Matt Rife: Walking Red Flag". June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ VanArendonk, Kathryn (November 16, 2023). "Matt Rife Works a Crowd of His Own Making". Vulture.
  21. ^ Solomon, Matt (November 15, 2023). "Matt Rife's Blinding Handsomeness Didn't Stop Me From Hating His New Special". Cracked.com.
  22. ^ Sharf, Zack (November 21, 2023). "Matt Rife Ignites Backlash Over Domestic Violence Joke in Netflix Special and Mock 'Apology' That Links to Website for Special Needs Helmets".
  23. ^ a b "Comedian Matt Rife faces backlash for allegedly telling 6-year-old how his mother affords presents". Fox News. December 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "Comedian Matt Rife under fire for alleged argument with 6-year-old – National | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca.
  25. ^ Miller, Rosemarie. "Comedian Matt Rife Shares The Best Advice Dave Chappelle Has Given Him". Forbes.
  26. ^ "He Steals the Show".
  27. ^ "Laughing it up with the handsome Matt Rife". Bello. August 13, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  28. ^ Khan, Melina. "Comedian Matt Rife buys home in Rhode Island. Why he decided to move to the state".
  29. ^ a b Matt Rife: Only Fans (FULL SPECIAL), December 17, 2021, retrieved June 3, 2023
  30. ^ Omar, Shella. (November 29, 2023) "Beyond Comedy: Is Matt Rife a Christian? Explore his spiritual side!" Zlurr.
  31. ^ Matt Rife. Instagram.
  32. ^ Lezmi, Josh (March 6, 2019). "Who Is Matt Rife: Kate Beckinsale's Ex-Boyfriend?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  33. ^ Black Pumpkin (2018) | Full Movie | Ellie Patrikios | Matt Rife | Grayson Thorne Kilpatrick, February 3, 2023, retrieved June 3, 2023
  34. ^ a b c "Black Pumpkin (Review)". Horror Society. October 28, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  35. ^ American Typecast Cast Members List – FamousFix, retrieved June 3, 2023
  36. ^ Bellamy, Nolan (November 29, 2021). "Celebrities Came out to Support 'The Elevator' Film Premiere Released by Amazon Starring Eric Roberts and Eugenia Kuzmina Directed & Produced by Award Winning Mukesh Modi". The Hollywood Digest. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  37. ^ "The Elevator". Passion River Films. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  38. ^ "Death Link – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  39. ^ "North of the 10 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  40. ^ @mattrife (March 23, 2021). "Oh yeah, I'm in this too" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ "The Curse Of Wolf Mountain | Film Threat". May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  42. ^ McArthur, Amanda (March 16, 2023). "Actress Jaime Adler Talks Karma's a B**** and Her Big Plans for 2023". Sweety High. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  43. ^ Matt Rife as Connor – Trapped Inn The Movie (2021), May 17, 2021, retrieved June 3, 2023
  44. ^ "Trapped Inn". Sweden Film Awards. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  45. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 30, 2020). "Matt Rife, Clare Grant Star In 'The Private Eye'; Gravitas Ventures Acquires 'The Friendliest Town'; Darius McCrary, Arclight Films Sets 3-Picture Deal – Film Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  46. ^ Don't Suck (2023), retrieved June 3, 2023
  47. ^ Don't Suck (2023) – Official Trailer, March 3, 2023, retrieved June 3, 2023
  48. ^ Mulka, Angela (June 6, 2023). "Comedian Matt Rife to make 2 Michigan stops on his worldwide tour". Big Rapids Pioneer. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  49. ^ Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything – Season 2 Episode 9 – Video Detective, October 1, 2016, retrieved June 3, 2023
  50. ^ Welcome to Howler – ep 1, October 21, 2016, retrieved June 3, 2023
  51. ^ Schumann, Rebecka (November 21, 2017). "Meet MTV's 'The Challenge: Champs Vs. Stars' Cast". International Business Times. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  52. ^ "Stalked by My Doctor: A Sleepwalker's Nightmare". TV Guide. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  53. ^ Dilip, Mangala (August 30, 2019). "Matt Rife admits NBC's 'Bring the Funny' is the hardest thing he has ever done in his career so far". MEAWW.com. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  54. ^ Burb Patrol | Season 1 Ep. 1: "The Dank Rank", March 22, 2021, retrieved June 3, 2023
  55. ^ ATL Comedy Arts Fest – Volume 2, February 9, 2023, retrieved June 3, 2023
  56. ^ "ATL Comedy Arts Fest, Vol 2 (2020)". Radio Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  57. ^ Matt Rife: Matthew Steven Rife (2023), retrieved June 3, 2023
  58. ^ Matt Rife: Walking Red Flag (FULL SPECIAL) (2023), retrieved June 26, 2023
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