Childhood and Education Journey of Drew Carey in Timeline

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Drew Carey

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Drew Carey. A timeline of key moments.

Drew Carey is an American comedian, actor, and game show host. He gained recognition through stand-up comedy before starring in his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and hosting Whose Line Is It Anyway?. These shows significantly boosted his career, leading to appearances in films, TV series, and other media. Since 2007, Carey has been the host of the popular game show The Price Is Right, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.

1946: Birth of Drew Carey's Brother, Neil

In 1946, Neil, one of Drew Carey's older brothers, was born.

1952: Birth of Drew Carey's Brother, Roger

In 1952, Roger, one of Drew Carey's older brothers, was born.

May 23, 1958: Drew Carey's Birth

On May 23, 1958, Drew Allison Carey was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

1976: Drew Carey Graduates High School

In 1976, Drew Carey graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School.

1980: Carey Enlists in the Marine Corps Reserve

In 1980, Drew Carey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, where he served for six years.

1983: Carey Moves to Las Vegas

In 1983, Drew Carey moved to Las Vegas and worked as a bank teller and waiter at Denny's for a short time.

1985: Carey Begins Comedy Career

In 1985, Drew Carey began his comedy career after being encouraged by a friend to learn how to write jokes.

1988: Carey Competes in Star Search

In 1988, Drew Carey gained his first national exposure by competing in Star Search.

November 1991: Carey Appears on The Tonight Show

In November 1991, Drew Carey appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, impressing Carson and earning a spot on the couch.

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1994: Drew Carey: Human Cartoon Airs on Showtime

In 1994, Drew Carey wrote and starred in his own stand-up comedy special, Drew Carey: Human Cartoon, which aired on Showtime and won a CableACE Award for Best Writing.

September 13, 1995: Premiere of The Drew Carey Show

On September 13, 1995, The Drew Carey Show premiered on ABC, revolving around a fictionalized version of Carey and his friends.

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1997: Publication of Autobiography

In 1997, Drew Carey published his autobiography, Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined. In the book he shared memories of his childhood, his father's death, his experiences with molestation and depression, suicide attempts, college fraternity life, and his professional career up to that point. It was featured on The New York Times bestseller list for three months in 1997.

Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined
Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined

1998: "Smoke-in" Protest

In 1998, Drew Carey led a "smoke-in" in defiance of California's new no-smoking ordinance inside bars and restaurants.

1998: Carey Begins Hosting Whose Line Is It Anyway?

In 1998, while still starring in The Drew Carey Show, Drew Carey began hosting the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

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1999: Pregame Ceremonies at Cleveland Browns Return

In 1999, Drew Carey participated in the pregame ceremonies at the first game of the return of the Cleveland Browns, which was televised on ESPN.

January 21, 2001: Carey Enters Royal Rumble

On January 21, 2001, Drew Carey entered the Royal Rumble match as Vince McMahon's guest entrant.

August 2001: Coronary Angioplasty

In August 2001, Drew Carey underwent a coronary angioplasty after experiencing chest pains while filming The Drew Carey Show.

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2001: Carey Participates in Royal Rumble

In 2001, Drew Carey briefly participated in professional wrestling by entering the Royal Rumble.

2004: Carey Co-Produces Drew Carey's Green Screen Show

In 2004, Drew Carey co-produced and starred in Drew Carey's Green Screen Show for The WB's prime time schedule.

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2005: Drew Carey's Green Screen Show Picked up by Comedy Central

In 2005, Drew Carey's Green Screen Show, which was co-produced and starred Drew Carey, was picked up by Comedy Central after being canceled by The WB.

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May 17, 2006: Revelation about Bifocals on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

On the May 17, 2006, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Drew Carey revealed that he began needing bifocals when he turned 40.

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August 12, 2006: First Pitch and Bobblehead Day

On August 12, 2006, Drew Carey threw the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game against the Kansas City Royals. The team honored him as "the greatest Indians fan alive" with a bobblehead doll in his likeness, which was given to fans on August 12, 2006.

2006: Attendance at FIFA World Cup in Germany

In 2006, Drew Carey attended the FIFA World Cup in Germany.

2006: Cancellation of Whose Line Is It Anyway?

In 2006, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, hosted by Drew Carey, was cancelled after a total of 220 episodes.

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2006: Press Photographer at FIFA World Cup

In the summer of 2006, Drew Carey attended the FIFA World Cup in Germany as a press photographer for his television show Drew Carey's Sporting Adventures. His images are sold via wire services under the pseudonym Brooks Parkenridge in 2006.

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June 2007: FIFA Soccer 07 Challenge for Charity

In June 2007, Drew Carey offered to donate up to $100,000 to the Mooch Myernick Memorial Fund if anyone could beat him at the video game FIFA Soccer 07 for the Xbox 360. He donated $100,000, plus $60,000 for losing two games out of six in June 2007.

Xbox 360 250GB Slim Console - (Renewed)
Xbox 360 250GB Slim Console - (Renewed)

August 7, 2007: Power of 10 Premieres

On August 7, 2007, Drew Carey began hosting the CBS game show pilot Power of 10.

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August 15, 2007: Carey Tapes First Episode of The Price Is Right

On August 15, 2007, Drew Carey taped his first episode of The Price Is Right, succeeding Bob Barker as host.

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September 14, 2007: Criticism of Iraq War on Real Time with Bill Maher

On the September 14, 2007, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, Drew Carey expressed his distaste for the Bush administration's management of the Iraq War.

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2007: Proposal to Nicole Jaracz

In 2007, Drew Carey proposed to Nicole Jaracz.

January 23, 2008: Final Airing of Power of 10

On January 23, 2008, the final episode of Power of 10, hosted by Drew Carey, aired.

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September 26, 2008: Definition of Libertarian on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

On the September 26, 2008, episode of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Drew Carey defined "libertarian" to host Craig Ferguson as "a conservative who still gets high."

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March 19, 2009: Seattle Sounders FC Debut

On March 19, 2009, the Seattle Sounders FC, of which Drew Carey is a minority owner, began playing in Major League Soccer.

October 2009: Charity Auction Bid for @drew Twitter Account

In October 2009, Drew Carey made a bid of $25,000 in a charity auction for the @drew Twitter account, later increasing his offer to $100,000 if his account reached 100,000 followers.

December 31, 2009: Livestrong Donation Pledge

On December 31, 2009, Drew Carey stated he would donate $1 million to the Livestrong Foundation if his Twitter follower count reached one million.

2010: Attendance at FIFA World Cup in South Africa

In 2010, Drew Carey attended the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

2010: Diet and Exercise Plan

In 2010, Drew Carey began a diet and exercise plan and lost a significant amount of weight, which he claimed cured his Type 2 diabetes.

2010: Death of Drew Carey's Brother, Neil

In 2010, Neil Carey, one of Drew Carey's older brothers, passed away.

May 15, 2011: Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon Completion

On May 15, 2011, Drew Carey completed the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in 1:57:02.

September 4, 2011: Disneyland Half Marathon Completion

On September 4, 2011, Drew Carey completed the Disneyland Half Marathon in 1:50:46.

October 30, 2011: Marine Corps Marathon Completion

On October 30, 2011, Drew Carey finished the Marine Corps Marathon with a chip time of 4:37:11, ranking 10,149th out of 20,940.

2011: Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza Premieres

In 2011, Drew Carey began hosting a primetime improv show, called Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza, filmed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, and first aired on April 11.

2012: Engagement Called Off

In 2012, Drew Carey and Nicole Jaracz called off their engagement, though they never wed.

2013: Whose Line Is It Anyway? Returns with New Host

In 2013, Whose Line Is It Anyway? returned with Aisha Tyler as the host.

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September 2014: Reward for Information on Ice Bucket Challenge Prank

In September 2014, Drew Carey offered $10,000 to help find the perpetrators of a faked "ice bucket challenge" where an autistic teen was doused with feces, urine, tobacco spit, and cigarette butts.

2016: Support for Gary Johnson

In 2016, Drew Carey supported Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson and became an Honorary Chair of the campaign for California.

2016: Seattle Sounders FC Wins MLS Cup

In 2016, the Seattle Sounders FC, in which Drew Carey is a minority owner, won the MLS Cup.

January 2018: Engagement to Amie Harwick

In January 2018, Drew Carey announced his engagement to sex therapist Amie Harwick.

2019: Seattle Sounders FC Wins MLS Cup Again

In 2019, the Seattle Sounders FC, co-owned by Drew Carey, won the MLS Cup for the second time.

February 15, 2020: Death of Amie Harwick

On February 15, 2020, Drew Carey's ex-fiancée, Amie Harwick, was found dead in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Her ex-boyfriend, Gareth Pursehouse, was later convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Drew Carey endorsed and donated money to Joe Biden in the United States presidential election. He also donated to Tulsi Gabbard and Bill Weld earlier in that election cycle.

2020: Cataract Surgery

In 2020, Drew Carey underwent cataract surgery.

2022: Carey Celebrates 15th Anniversary as Host of The Price Is Right

In 2022, Drew Carey celebrated his fifteenth anniversary as the host of The Price Is Right.

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August 26, 2023: Carey Hosts Special on Bob Barker After His Death

On August 26, 2023, Bob Barker died at the age of 99, and Drew Carey hosted a one-hour special detailing the life and career of his predecessor.

2023: Support for WGA Strike

During the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, Drew Carey paid for free meals for striking writers at two Los Angeles restaurants. His tab at Swingers was averaging $10,000 per week in 2023.