Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Rogan

Discover the career path of Joe Rogan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Joe Rogan is a multifaceted American entertainer known primarily for hosting "The Joe Rogan Experience," a highly influential and popular podcast since 2009. Beyond podcasting, he is a UFC color commentator, stand-up comedian, actor, and former television host. His podcast is known for long-form conversations with guests from diverse backgrounds, covering topics ranging from science and philosophy to current events and comedy. Since 2020, it has consistently ranked as the most streamed podcast on Spotify, solidifying Rogan's position as a prominent figure in media and pop culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 27, 1988: First Stand-Up Routine

On August 27, 1988, Joe Rogan performed his first stand-up routine at an open-mic night at a Stitches comedy club in Boston.

1988: Started Comedy Career

In 1988, Joe Rogan began his career in comedy in the Boston area.

1990: Moved to New York City

In 1990, Joe Rogan moved to New York City to pursue comedy full-time.

1994: Interest in jiu-jitsu after watching Royce Gracie

In 1994, Joe Rogan became interested in jiu-jitsu after watching Royce Gracie fight at UFC 2: No Way Out.

1994: Relocated to Los Angeles and First National Television Spot

In 1994, Joe Rogan relocated to Los Angeles. He made his first national television appearance on MTV's Half-Hour Comedy Hour, and later accepted a development deal with the Disney network and secured his first major acting role in the Fox sitcom Hardball.

1994: Relocated to Los Angeles and signed deal with Disney

In 1994, Rogan relocated to Los Angeles and signed an exclusive developmental deal with Disney and appeared as an actor on several television shows, including Hardball and NewsRadio.

1995: Starred in NewsRadio

From 1995, Rogan starred in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli.

1996: Began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu

In 1996, Joe Rogan began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Carlson Gracie in Los Angeles, California.

February 7, 1997: First UFC Show

On February 7, 1997, Rogan's first show took place at UFC 12: Judgement Day in Dothan, Alabama, as a backstage and post-fight interviewer.

1997: Began working for the UFC

In 1997, Joe Rogan started working for the UFC as an interviewer and color commentator.

December 1999: Recorded First Stand-Up Comedy Album

In December 1999, Joe Rogan recorded his first stand-up comedy album in two shows at the Comedy Connection at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

1999: Starred in NewsRadio

In 1999, Rogan continued starring in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli.

August 2000: Released I'm Gonna Be Dead Some Day...

In August 2000, Joe Rogan released his first stand-up comedy album, I'm Gonna Be Dead Some Day...

2000: Released First Comedy Special

In 2000, Joe Rogan released his first comedy special, I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday...

2001: Accepted Hosting Offer for Fear Factor

In 2001, Joe Rogan accepted an offer from NBC to host the American edition of Fear Factor, which interrupted the development of his television show.

2001: Hosted Fear Factor

In 2001, Rogan began hosting the game show Fear Factor.

2001: UFC Taken Over by Zuffa

In 2001, after the UFC was taken over by Zuffa, Rogan attended some events and became friends with its new president Dana White.

December 2002: Emcee for Blockbuster Hollywood Spectacular

In December 2002, Joe Rogan was the emcee for the 2002 Blockbuster Hollywood Spectacular, a Christmas parade in Hollywood.

2002: Hired by UFC as Color Commentator

In 2002, Dana White hired Rogan as a color commentator for the UFC, initially for free in exchange for prime event tickets. He later accepted pay for the job.

February 2003: Became Co-Host of The Man Show

In February 2003, Joe Rogan became the new co-host of The Man Show on Comedy Central.

August 2003: Co-Hosted The Man Show

In August 2003, Rogan co-hosted The Man Show on Comedy Central for its fifth season.

2004: The Man Show Ended

In 2004, The Man Show ended. Rogan had disagreements with Comedy Central and the show's producers over content.

May 2005: Signed Deal with Endeavor Talent Agency

In May 2005, Joe Rogan signed a deal with the Endeavor Talent Agency.

September 2006: Recorded Shiny Happy Jihad

In September 2006, Rogan recorded his fourth comedy special Shiny Happy Jihad at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco.

2006: Fear Factor Ended

In 2006, Fear Factor ran for an initial six seasons from 2001 to 2006 and Joe Rogan hosted for all of the initial seasons.

April 2007: Released Shiny Happy Jihad

In April 2007, Comedy Central Records released Rogan's fourth comedy special, Shiny Happy Jihad.

2007: Joe Rogan: Live Premiered on Showtime

In 2007, Joe Rogan: Live, Rogan's second stand-up comedy special, premiered on Showtime.

January 2009: Hosted Game Show in My Head

In January 2009, Rogan hosted the short-lived CBS show Game Show in My Head, which aired for eight episodes.

December 2009: Launch of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast

In December 2009, Joe Rogan launched his free podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, with comedian Brian Redban. The first episode was recorded on December 24th, and was intended to be a live weekly broadcast.

2009: Launched The Joe Rogan Experience

In 2009, Joe Rogan launched The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

August 2010: The Joe Rogan Experience enters iTunes Top 100

By August 2010, Joe Rogan's podcast was named The Joe Rogan Experience and entered the list of Top 100 podcasts on iTunes.

2010: Presenter in DMT: The Spirit Molecule documentary

In 2010, Joe Rogan was the presenter in the documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule, showcasing his interest in the exploration of consciousness through psychedelics.

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2011: Resumption of Fear Factor hosting and endorsement of Ron Paul

In 2011, Joe Rogan resumed his role as the host of Fear Factor for its seventh and final season. Also in 2011, Rogan endorsed Congressman Ron Paul's presidential campaign, praising him as the only candidate making sense and joking about his election being the ultimate stunt.

2011: The Joe Rogan Experience picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio

In 2011, The Joe Rogan Experience was picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio, further expanding its reach.

December 2012: Release of 'Live from the Tabernacle' comedy special

In December 2012, Joe Rogan released his sixth comedy special, "Live from the Tabernacle", exclusively as a download on his website for $5, following Louis C.K.'s example.

2013: Hosting "Joe Rogan Questions Everything" on SyFy

In 2013, Joe Rogan hosted the television show "Joe Rogan Questions Everything" on the SyFy network, which aired for six episodes and covered topics from his podcasts.

January 2015: The Joe Rogan Experience reaches 11 million monthly downloads

By January 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast reached over 11 million monthly downloads, marking a significant milestone in its growth and popularity.

2015: The Joe Rogan Experience Becomes Popular

By 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience was one of the most popular podcasts in the world.

2016: Worked Alongside Mike Goldberg Until End of Year

In 2016, Joe Rogan worked alongside Mike Goldberg as a color commentator for the UFC until the end of the year.

May 19, 2020: Licensing deal with Spotify

On May 19, 2020, Joe Rogan announced a multiyear licensing deal with Spotify worth an estimated $200 million.

September 1, 2020: The Joe Rogan Experience becomes available on Spotify

On September 1, 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became available on Spotify as part of the licensing deal.

2020: Spotify Obtained Exclusive Distribution Rights

In 2020, Spotify obtained exclusive distribution rights to The Joe Rogan Experience for $200 million.

2020: The Joe Rogan Experience becomes number 1 podcast on Spotify

In 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became the number 1 most streamed podcast on Spotify.

January 2021: The Joe Rogan Experience becomes exclusive to Spotify

In January 2021, The Joe Rogan Experience became exclusive to Spotify, marking a significant shift in its distribution.

2021: Onnit sold to Unilever

In 2021, Onnit, the supplements and fitness company co-founded by Joe Rogan, was sold to Unilever.

2022: Rumble offers Rogan $100 million

In early 2022, the video platform Rumble offered Joe Rogan $100 million to switch from Spotify, but Rogan declined the offer.

March 2023: Opening of Comedy Mothership comedy club

In March 2023, Joe Rogan opened the Comedy Mothership comedy club in Austin, Texas, expanding his presence in the comedy scene.

December 2024: The Joe Rogan Experience is the top podcast on Spotify for a fifth consecutive year

In December 2024, Spotify confirmed that The Joe Rogan Experience was the top podcast on its platform for a fifth consecutive year, highlighting its continued popularity.

2024: Renewed deal with Spotify

In 2024, Joe Rogan renewed his deal with Spotify for an estimated $250 million, but will no longer be exclusive to them.

January 10, 2025: Interview with Mark Zuckerberg

On January 10, 2025, Joe Rogan published an interview with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, where Zuckerberg alleged that the Biden administration pressured Facebook to take down posts claiming that the COVID-19 vaccine had side effects.