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 an American podcaster, UFC color commentator, comedian, actor, and former television host. He is best known for hosting The Joe Rogan Experience, a highly popular podcast. Since 2020, it has been the most streamed podcast on Spotify, achieving widespread popularity and influence in the podcasting world.
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: Began comedy career
In 1988, Joe Rogan started 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: Relocated to Los Angeles and landed television spot
In 1994, Joe Rogan relocated to Los Angeles and secured his first national television spot on MTV's Half-Hour Comedy Hour. He later accepted a development deal with the Disney network, and his first major acting role in the 1994 nine-episode Fox sitcom Hardball.
1994: Interest in Jiu-Jitsu
In 1994, Rogan became interested in jiu-jitsu after watching Royce Gracie fight at UFC 2: No Way Out.
1994: Relocated to Los Angeles and signed deal with Disney
In 1994, Rogan moved to Los Angeles and signed an exclusive developmental deal with Disney.
1995: Starred in NewsRadio
From 1995 to 1999, Joe Rogan starred in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli.
1996: Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In 1996, Rogan began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Carlson Gracie at his school in Los Angeles, California.
February 7, 1997: First UFC show
On February 7, 1997, Joe Rogan's first show as a backstage and post-fight interviewer took place at UFC 12: Judgement Day in Dothan, Alabama.
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 at the Comedy Connection in Boston.
1999: Starred in NewsRadio
From 1995 to 1999, Joe Rogan starred in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli.
August 2000: Released comedy album
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: Hosted Fear Factor
From 2001 to 2006, Joe Rogan hosted the game show Fear Factor.
2001: UFC taken over by Zuffa
In 2001, the UFC was taken over by Zuffa, leading to Joe Rogan befriending Dana White.
December 2002: Emceed Blockbuster Hollywood Spectacular
In December 2002, Joe Rogan was the emcee for the 2002 Blockbuster Hollywood Spectacular Christmas parade.
2002: Hired by UFC as a color commentator
In 2002, Dana White hired Joe Rogan as a color commentator for the UFC, initially for free in exchange for prime event tickets.
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: Hosted The Man Show's fifth season
In August 2003, Joe Rogan co-hosted the fifth season of The Man Show on Comedy Central with Doug Stanhope.
2004: The Man Show ended
In 2004, Joe Rogan and Doug Stanhope's disagreements with Comedy Central led to the end of The Man Show.
May 2005: Signed 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, Joe Rogan recorded his fourth comedy special, Shiny Happy Jihad, at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco.
2006: Fear Factor concluded
From 2001 to 2006, Joe Rogan hosted Fear Factor for six seasons.
2006: Left Fear Factor
In 2006, Joe Rogan concluded his role as the host of Fear Factor.
April 2007: Comedy Central released Shiny Happy Jihad
In April 2007, Comedy Central Records released Joe Rogan's fourth comedy special, Shiny Happy Jihad.
2007: Joe Rogan: Live premiered on Showtime
In 2007, Joe Rogan's second stand-up comedy special, Joe Rogan: Live, which was filmed in May 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona, premiered on Showtime.
January 2009: Hosted Game Show in My Head
In January 2009, Joe Rogan hosted the short-lived CBS show Game Show in My Head, which aired for eight episodes.
December 2009: Launch of Free Podcast with Brian Redban
In December 2009, Joe Rogan launched a free podcast with comedian Brian Redban, which was recorded on December 24 and intended to be a weekly live broadcast on Ustream.
2009: Launched The Joe Rogan Experience
In 2009, Joe Rogan launched The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
August 2010: Podcast Named "The Joe Rogan Experience" and 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 documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule.
Joe Rogan was the presenter in the 2010 documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule.
2011: Resuming Fear Factor Host Role, First Major Film Role, and Book Project
In 2011, Joe Rogan resumed hosting "Fear Factor" for its final season. He also played Gale in the film "Zookeeper" and worked on a book tentatively titled "Irresponsible Advice from a Man with No Credibility".
2011: The Joe Rogan Experience picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio
In 2011, The Joe Rogan Experience was picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
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.
2012: Appearance in "Here Comes the Boom"
In 2012, Joe Rogan played himself in the action-comedy film "Here Comes the Boom", starring Kevin James.
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 covered topics discussed on his podcasts, including Bigfoot and UFOs.
January 2015: The Joe Rogan Experience reaches over 11 Million monthly downloads.
By January 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience reached over 11 million monthly downloads.
2015: Podcast popularity soared
By 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience became one of the most popular podcasts, receiving millions of plays per episode.
2016: Worked alongside Mike Goldberg at UFC
From 2002 until the end of 2016, Joe Rogan worked alongside Mike Goldberg as a UFC commentator.
May 19, 2020: Licensing Deal with Spotify Announced
On May 19, 2020, Joe Rogan announced he signed a multiyear licensing deal with Spotify worth an estimated $200 million.
September 1, 2020: The Joe Rogan Experience Becomes Available on Spotify
Starting September 1, 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became available on Spotify.
2020: Spotify obtained exclusive rights to The Joe Rogan Experience
In 2020, Spotify acquired exclusive distribution rights to The Joe Rogan Experience for $200 million.
2020: Most streamed podcast on Spotify
In 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became the most streamed podcast on Spotify.
January 2021: The Joe Rogan Experience Becomes Exclusive to Spotify
Starting in January 2021, The Joe Rogan Experience became exclusive to the Spotify platform.
2021: Onnit Sold to Unilever
In 2021, Onnit, the supplements and fitness company co-founded by Joe Rogan, was sold to Unilever.
2022: Rumble's Offer to Rogan
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.
December 2024: The Joe Rogan Experience: Top Podcast on Spotify for the 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.
2024: Renewed deal with Spotify
In 2024, Joe Rogan renewed his deal with Spotify for an estimated $250 million, ending the exclusive agreement.
January 10, 2025: Joe Rogan Interview with Mark Zuckerberg
On January 10, 2025, Joe Rogan released an interview with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, where Zuckerberg claimed that the Biden administration pressured Facebook to remove posts alleging side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.
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