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 personality renowned for his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. He is also a comedian, UFC color commentator, actor, and former television host. His podcast is known for its long-form interviews covering a wide range of topics, including current events, comedy, popular culture, politics, science, and philosophy. With a large and influential audience, Rogan's podcast has become a prominent platform for discussions and interviews with diverse guests. He is considered a major influencer in modern media and podcasting.

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 comedy career 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 appearance on MTV

In 1994, Joe Rogan relocated to Los Angeles and made his first national television spot on the MTV comedy show Half-Hour Comedy Hour. He also accepted a development deal with the Disney network and secured his first major acting role in the Fox sitcom Hardball as Frank Valente.

Loading Video...

1994: Relocated to Los Angeles and signed deal with Disney

In 1994, Joe Rogan relocated to Los Angeles and signed an exclusive developmental deal with Disney.

1995: Starred in NewsRadio

In 1995, Joe Rogan began starring in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli.

1996: Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In 1996, Joe 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 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 until 1999

Joe Rogan starred in NewsRadio until 1999.

August 2000: Release of "I'm Gonna Be Dead Some Day..." album

In August 2000, Joe Rogan released his first stand-up comedy album, "I'm Gonna Be Dead Some Day..." after recording it in December 1999.

2000: Released first comedy special

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

2001: Hosted Fear Factor

In 2001, Joe Rogan accepted an offer from NBC to host the American edition of Fear Factor.

2001: UFC takeover by Zuffa

In 2001, the UFC was taken over by Zuffa, and Rogan 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 as UFC color commentator

In 2002, Dana White hired Joe Rogan as a color commentator for the UFC.

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: Began hosting The Man Show season five

In August 2003, Joe Rogan started hosting the fifth season of The Man Show on Comedy Central with Doug Stanhope.

2004: The Man Show ended

In 2004, Joe Rogan's show The Man Show ended due to disagreements with Comedy Central and the show's producers.

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

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

2006: Fear Factor ran for six seasons

Fear Factor, which was hosted by Joe Rogan, ran for six seasons until 2006.

2006: Left Fear Factor

In 2006, Joe Rogan left the show Fear Factor.

April 2007: Release of Shiny Happy Jihad

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

2007: Premiered stand-up comedy special

In 2007, Joe Rogan's second stand-up comedy special, Joe Rogan: Live, premiered on Showtime, having been filmed in Phoenix, Arizona, in July 2005.

January 2009: Hosted Game Show in My Head

In January 2009, Joe Rogan hosted the short-lived CBS show Game Show in My Head.

December 2009: Launch of Podcast

In December 2009, Joe Rogan and Brian Redban launched a free podcast, recorded on December 24 as a live weekly broadcast on Ustream, with Rogan and Redban "sitting in front of laptops bullshitting".

2009: Launched The Joe Rogan Experience

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

August 2010: Podcast Named 'The Joe Rogan Experience'

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

2010: Accusation of Joke Thievery

In 2010, Joe Rogan publicly accused comedian Dane Cook of stealing jokes, sparking controversy within the comedy community.

2010: Presenter in 'DMT: The Spirit Molecule'

In 2010, Joe Rogan was the presenter in the documentary 'DMT: The Spirit Molecule'.

2011: Resumes Fear Factor Hosting and Acts in Zookeeper

In 2011, Joe Rogan resumed hosting Fear Factor for its seventh and final season, stating he "would hate to see somebody else do it". Also in 2011, Rogan took on his first major film role as Gale in the comedy movie Zookeeper. He was also working on a book titled 'Irresponsible Advice from a Man with No Credibility'.

2011: The Joe Rogan Experience picked up by SiriusXM

In 2011, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast was picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

December 2012: Release of Comedy Special

In December 2012, Joe Rogan released his sixth comedy special, 'Live from the Tabernacle', as a direct download on his website for $5.00, following the example set by Louis C.K.

2012: Appearance in 'Here Comes the Boom'

In 2012, Joe Rogan played himself in 'Here Comes the Boom', an action-comedy film starring Kevin James.

2013: Hosting "Joe Rogan Questions Everything"

In 2013, Joe Rogan hosted the television show "Joe Rogan Questions Everything" on the SyFy network. The show aired for six episodes and covered topics from his podcasts, like Bigfoot and UFOs, with comedians, experts, and scientists. SyFy produced the show without a pilot, giving Rogan creative control.

January 2015: Podcast Downloads Reach 11 Million

By January 2015, 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast reached over 11 million monthly downloads.

2015: The Joe Rogan Experience gained popularity

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

2016: Worked alongside Mike Goldberg

Until the end of 2016, Joe Rogan worked alongside Mike Goldberg as a UFC color commentator.

May 19, 2020: Licensing Deal with Spotify

On May 19, 2020, Joe Rogan announced a multiyear licensing deal with Spotify, estimated at $200 million, making it one of the largest licensing agreements in the podcast business.

September 1, 2020: The Joe Rogan Experience on Spotify

Starting September 1, 2020, 'The Joe Rogan Experience' became available on Spotify, with both audio and video.

2020: Spotify obtained exclusive distribution rights to The Joe Rogan Experience

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

January 2021: The Joe Rogan Experience Exclusive to Spotify

From January 2021, 'The Joe Rogan Experience' became exclusive to the Spotify platform, with video no longer streamed on YouTube, only clips.

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, Rumble offered Joe Rogan $100 million to switch from Spotify to their platform, but Rogan declined.

March 2023: Opening of Comedy Mothership

In March 2023, Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership comedy club opened in Austin, Texas.

December 2024: 'The Joe Rogan Experience' Top Podcast on Spotify

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

2024: Renewed Spotify deal

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 interviewed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg alleged that the Biden administration had pressured Facebook to remove information on COVID-19 vaccine side effects.