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, comedian, UFC color commentator, actor, and former television host. He is best known for hosting The Joe Rogan Experience, a highly popular podcast that has gained significant traction, especially on Spotify. The podcast covers a wide range of topics with diverse guests, contributing to Rogan's widespread influence and recognition in the media landscape.
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 the Stitches comedy club in Boston. This marked the beginning of his career as a stand-up comedian.
1988: Comedy Career Begins
In 1988, Joe Rogan started his career in comedy in the Boston area. This marked the beginning of his journey in the entertainment industry.
1990: Moves to New York City
In 1990, Joe Rogan moved to New York City to pursue comedy full-time. During this time he stayed with his grandfather for the first six months.
1994: Moves to Los Angeles and Lands TV Spot
In 1994, Joe Rogan relocated to Los Angeles and secured his first national television spot on MTV's Half-Hour Comedy Hour. This led to a three-year exclusive contract offer from the network, which Rogan declined. He then accepted a development deal with the Disney network and secured his first major acting role in the Fox sitcom Hardball.
1994: Relocation to Los Angeles and Disney Deal
In 1994, Rogan moved to Los Angeles and signed an exclusive developmental deal with Disney. This move opened doors for him to appear on television shows.
1995: Stars in NBC's NewsRadio
In 1995, Joe Rogan began starring in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio as Joe Garrelli. Rogan worked with the show's writers to help develop the character.
1996: 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, Joe Rogan's first show with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) took place at UFC 12: Judgement Day in Dothan, Alabama. Rogan worked as a backstage and post-fight interviewer.
1997: Joins UFC as Interviewer and Color Commentator
In 1997, Joe Rogan began working for the UFC as an interviewer and color commentator. This role marked the start of his long-standing association with the UFC.
December 1999: Records First Stand-up Comedy Album
In December 1999, Joe Rogan recorded his first stand-up comedy album during two shows at the Comedy Connection at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The recordings were for the album "I'm Gonna Be Dead Some Day..."
1999: Continues in NewsRadio
In 1999, Joe Rogan continued his role in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio. He grew tired of playing the same character every week, but only did so for the money. He later viewed his time on NewsRadio as "a dream gig".
August 2000: Releases 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..." The album was recorded in Boston the previous December and gained national exposure through The Howard Stern Show and Napster.
2000: First Comedy Special Release
In 2000, Joe Rogan released his first comedy special, titled "I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday...". This marked a milestone in his comedy career.
2001: Accepts Offer to Host Fear Factor
In 2001, Joe Rogan accepted an offer from NBC to host the American edition of Fear Factor. He initially declined but was convinced to accept the role. Hosting the show increased Rogan's national exposure, growing turnouts at his stand-up gigs.
2001: Begins Hosting Fear Factor
In 2001, Joe Rogan began hosting the game show Fear Factor. This role increased his national exposure and broadened his audience.
2001: Zuffa Takes Over UFC
In 2001, after Zuffa took over the UFC, Joe Rogan attended some events and became friends with Dana White, the new president. White offered him a job as a color commentator.
December 2002: Emcees 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. Rogan initially worked for free in exchange for prime event tickets, later accepting pay for the job.
February 2003: Becomes Co-Host of The Man Show
In February 2003, Joe Rogan became the new co-host of The Man Show on Comedy Central, joining fellow comedian Doug Stanhope. He took over following the departure of original hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla.
August 2003: Starts Fifth Season of The Man Show
In August 2003, Joe Rogan began hosting the fifth season of The Man Show on Comedy Central.
2004: The Man Show Ends
In 2004, Joe Rogan's time as a host on The Man Show came to an end, due to disagreements with Comedy Central and the show's producers over content.
May 2005: Signs with Endeavor Talent Agency
In May 2005, Joe Rogan signed a deal with the Endeavor Talent Agency. This marked a significant step in managing his career post-Fear Factor.
September 2006: Records Shiny Happy Jihad
In September 2006, Joe Rogan recorded his fourth comedy special, Shiny Happy Jihad, at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco. The set includes an improvized Q&A session with the audience, typical of Rogan's act at the time.
2006: Fear Factor Concludes
In 2006, Fear Factor, which Joe Rogan had been hosting since 2001, concluded its initial six-season run. Rogan's involvement in the show helped increase his national exposure.
2006: Leaves Fear Factor
In 2006, Joe Rogan left his hosting role on the game show Fear Factor, which he had hosted since 2001. This allowed him to focus on other aspects of his career.
February 2007: Confronts Carlos Mencia
In February 2007, Joe Rogan confronted comedian Carlos Mencia on stage at The Comedy Store in Hollywood over allegations of joke thievery. The incident was recorded and uploaded to YouTube.
April 2007: Releases Shiny Happy Jihad
In April 2007, Comedy Central Records released Joe Rogan's fourth comedy special, Shiny Happy Jihad. The set was recorded in September 2006 at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco.
2007: Joe Rogan: Live Premieres
In 2007, Joe Rogan: Live, Rogan's second stand-up comedy special, premiered on Showtime. The special was filmed in Phoenix, Arizona, in July 2005.
January 2009: Hosts Game Show in My Head
In January 2009, Joe Rogan hosted the short-lived CBS show Game Show in My Head. The show, produced by Ashton Kutcher, aired for eight episodes.
December 2009: Launch of free podcast with Brian Redban
In December 2009, Joe Rogan launched a free podcast with his friend and fellow comedian Brian Redban. The first episode was recorded on December 24 and was to be a live weekly broadcast on Ustream, with Rogan and Redban "sitting in front of laptops bullshitting".
2009: The Joe Rogan Experience Launched
In 2009, Joe Rogan launched his podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience." This marked the beginning of one of the most successful ventures in his career.
August 2010: Podcast named The Joe Rogan Experience
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
Joe Rogan was the presenter in the 2010 documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule, supporting the use of DMT toward the exploration and enhancement of consciousness, as well as introspection.
2011: Resumes hosting Fear Factor and major film role
In 2011, Joe Rogan resumed his role as the host of Fear Factor for its seventh and final season. Also in 2011, Rogan played his first major film character, Gale, in the comedy film Zookeeper. Rogan was also working on a book around this time tentatively titled Irresponsible Advice from a Man with No Credibility.
2011: Podcast picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio
In 2011, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast was picked up by SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
December 2012: Release of comedy special, Live from the Tabernacle
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
In 2013, Joe Rogan hosted the television show Joe Rogan Questions Everything on the SyFy network, which aired for six episodes. The show covered topics discussed on his podcasts, including the existence of Bigfoot and UFOs, and featured several comedians, experts, and scientists.
January 2015: Podcast Reaches 11 Million Monthly Downloads
By January 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast reached over 11 million monthly downloads, becoming one of the most popular free podcasts.
2015: The Joe Rogan Experience Gains Popularity
By 2015, The Joe Rogan Experience had become one of the world's most popular podcasts, with millions of plays per episode. This highlighted the significant growth and reach of his podcast.
2016: End of Partnership with Mike Goldberg
In 2016, Joe Rogan's partnership with Mike Goldberg as a UFC commentator came to an end. They had worked together since Rogan started getting paid for the job in 2002.
May 19, 2020: Signs licensing deal with Spotify
On May 19, 2020, Joe Rogan signed a multiyear licensing deal with Spotify worth an estimated $200 million, making it one of the largest licensing agreements in the podcast business.
September 1, 2020: The Joe Rogan Experience becomes available on Spotify
Starting September 1, 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became available on Spotify with both audio and video, but video was no longer streamed or uploaded to YouTube.
2020: Spotify Acquires Exclusive Distribution Rights
In 2020, Spotify obtained exclusive distribution rights to The Joe Rogan Experience for $200 million. This deal marked a significant shift in the podcast's distribution.
2020: Spotify's Most Streamed Podcast
In 2020, The Joe Rogan Experience became the most streamed podcast on Spotify. Rogan's podcast has remained a popular choice for listeners.
January 2021: The Joe Rogan Experience becomes exclusive on Spotify
From January 2021, The Joe Rogan Experience became exclusive on the Spotify platform.
2021: Onnit sold to Unilever
In 2021, Joe Rogan's supplements and fitness company Onnit was sold to Unilever.
March 2023: Comedy Mothership Comedy Club Opens
In March 2023, the Comedy Mothership comedy club in Austin, Texas, owned by Joe Rogan, officially opened.
2024: Spotify Deal Renewal
In 2024, Rogan renewed his deal with Spotify for an estimated $250 million, but will no longer be exclusive to them. This deal continues his partnership with Spotify while also allowing for broader distribution.
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 had pressured Facebook to take down posts claiming that the COVID-19 vaccine had side effects.
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