Career Timeline of MrBeast: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is a prominent American YouTuber, media figure, and entrepreneur. He's renowned for his high-production-value YouTube videos featuring extravagant challenges and acts of philanthropy. Holding the title of the most-subscribed individual on YouTube, boasting over 404 million subscribers, he has a significant presence on other social media platforms, and is also a leading creator on TikTok, where he has over 115 million followers.

Sections (6)

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

February 2012: First YouTube Video

In February 2012, James Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video under the channel name "MrBeast6000".

2012: Started YouTube Channel

In 2012, Donaldson started posting videos to YouTube under the handle MrBeast6000. His content included Let's Plays and videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers.

2015: "Worst Intros on YouTube" Series

In 2015, Donaldson gained popularity with his "Worst Intros on YouTube" series poking fun at YouTube video introductions.

2016: Dropped Out of College

In late 2016, Donaldson dropped out of college to pursue a full-time career as a YouTuber, leading his mother to disapprove and ask him to leave home.

January 2017: Counting to 100,000 Video

In January 2017, Donaldson published his viral video of himself counting to 100,000.

2017: Went Viral

In 2017, Donaldson went viral after his "counting to 100,000" video earned tens of thousands of views in just a few days.

February 2018: Matt Turner Begins Working for Donaldson

In February 2018, Matt Turner began working as an editor for Donaldson.

2018: "YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist"

By 2018, Donaldson had given out $1 million through his stunts, earning him the title "YouTube's biggest philanthropist".

2018: PewDiePie vs. T-Series Rivalry Support

In 2018, during the PewDiePie vs. T-Series rivalry, Donaldson bought billboards and advertisements to help PewDiePie gain subscribers.

March 2019: Battle Royale Competition

In March 2019, Donaldson organized a real-life battle royale competition with prizes totaling $200,000 in collaboration with Apex Legends and Electronic Arts.

September 2019: Matt Turner Stops Working for Donaldson

In September 2019, Matt Turner stopped working as an editor for Donaldson.

October 2019: Planting Trees in U.S. National Parks Begins

In October 2019, the Arbor Day Foundation began planting trees in U.S. national parks as part of the #TeamTrees initiative.

October 25, 2019: Announcement of #TeamTrees Fundraising Challenge

On October 25, 2019, Donaldson and Mark Rober announced #TeamTrees, a YouTube fundraising challenge aiming to raise $20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by January 1, 2020, to plant trees.

January 1, 2020: #TeamTrees Goal

The #TeamTrees project aimed to raise $20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by January 1, 2020.

April 2020: Rock, Paper, Scissors Competition Stream

In April 2020, Donaldson created a rock, paper, scissors competition stream with a grand prize of $250,000, becoming YouTube's most-watched live Original event at the time.

June 2020: Finger on the App Mobile Game Release

In June 2020, Donaldson, in collaboration with MSCHF, released the one-time multiplayer mobile game titled Finger on the App, where players competed to win $25,000.

September 17, 2020: Creation of Beast Philanthropy YouTube Channel

On September 17, 2020, Donaldson created the Beast Philanthropy YouTube channel to donate 100% of its revenue to charity, with Darren Margolias as executive director.

October 2020: Influencer Trivia Tournament Controversy

In October 2020, Donaldson hosted an influencer trivia tournament with a grand prize of $300,000, which was won by Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, causing controversy due to cheating claims.

December 2020: Finger on the App 2 Postponement

In December 2020, Finger on the App 2 was planned, but postponed to February 2021.

January 1, 2021: YouTube Rewind 2020

On January 1, 2021, Donaldson released the "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over" video, citing PewDiePie's 2018 Rewind as inspiration.

February 2021: Insider poll shows favorable view of MrBeast

In February 2021, an Insider poll revealed that 70% of respondents had a favorable view of MrBeast, while 12% had an unfavorable view.

March 2021: Finger on the App 2 Release

Finger on the App 2 was released in March 2021, featuring a grand prize of $100,000.

March 2021: Partnership with Creative Juice to Introduce Juice Funds

In March 2021, Donaldson partnered with the Creative Juice financial network to introduce Juice Funds, which is a $2 million investment fund for content creators.

April 2021: Investment in Current and Cryptocurrency Backlash

In April 2021, Donaldson became a long-term investor and partner of financial technology company Current. That same month, Donaldson faced backlash after fans lost significant amounts of money in a cryptocurrency scheme he invested in and promoted.

October 29, 2021: Announcement of #TeamSeas Fundraising Challenge

On October 29, 2021, Donaldson and Rober organized #TeamSeas, a YouTube challenge aiming to raise $30 million for ocean cleanup by January 1, 2022.

November 2021: "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!" Video

In November 2021, Donaldson uploaded "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!", a recreation of the Squid Game series, becoming one of the most-watched YouTube videos of the year.

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December 2021: Influencer Tournament

In December 2021, Donaldson created a third influencer tournament featuring 15 competitors with a grand prize of $1 million.

January 1, 2022: #TeamSeas Goal

The #TeamSeas project aimed to raise $30 million for the Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup by January 1, 2022.

January 2022: Launch of Feastables and MrBeast Bar

In January 2022, Donaldson announced the creation of Feastables, a snack company, launching with the MrBeast Bar chocolate bars in original, almond, and quinoa crunch flavors, accompanied by a sweepstakes with over $1 million in prizes.

June 2022: Feastables Chocolate Factory Video Release

In June 2022, a video was released featuring elimination challenges for a chocolate factory or $500,000 cash prize. Gordon Ramsay judged the final challenge. Feastables reportedly made $10 million in its first few months.

July 28, 2022: 100 Million Subscribers

On July 28, 2022, Donaldson surpassed 100 million subscribers on his main channel.

September 4, 2022: MrBeast Burger Opens First Physical Restaurant

On September 4, 2022, MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant chain, opened its first physical location in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

November 2022: One Billion Video Views

In November 2022, Donaldson achieved one billion video views over 30 days on his main YouTube channel.

November 2022: Partnership with East Carolina University

In November 2022, Donaldson partnered with East Carolina University to create a course centered around YouTube content creation.

December 2022: #TeamTrees deadline for planting trees

December 2022 was the deadline for planting trees through the #TeamTrees initiative.

2022: $1 Million per Video

In 2022, it was reported that Donaldson spends about $1 million on each video, funded by sponsorships and Google's AdSense program.

May 2023: Guest Judge on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars

In May 2023, Donaldson was featured as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars show.

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October 2, 2023: Feastables Partners with Charlotte Hornets

On October 2, 2023, Feastables partnered with the Charlotte Hornets, featuring MrBeast's insignia on their jerseys for the 2023-24 NBA season, though the partnership later ended.

October 15, 2023: 200 Million Subscribers

On October 15, 2023, Donaldson surpassed 200 million subscribers.

2023: Over 250 Employees

As of 2023, Donaldson employs over 250 people, including writers, editors, and producers.

2023: Mr. Beast Channel Airs on Roku Channel

In 2023, a free ad-supported streaming television channel named Mr. Beast that shows only previously released MrBeast YouTube videos began airing on the Roku Channel service.

February 2024: Feastables Rebrands Chocolates

In February 2024, Feastables rebranded their chocolates, which included a new shape and formula.

March 2024: Announcement of Beast Games Reality Competition Series

In March 2024, Donaldson and Amazon MGM Studios announced plans for Beast Games, a reality competition series on Prime Video, featuring 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize.

June 2, 2024: Most Subscribed Channel on YouTube

On June 2, 2024, Donaldson surpassed T-Series to become the most subscribed channel on YouTube, with 267 million subscribers.

July 10, 2024: 300 Million Subscribers

On July 10, 2024, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to surpass 300 million subscribers.

July 13, 2024: "50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000" Upload

On July 13, 2024, Donaldson uploaded his 300 million subscribers special, "50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000", featuring guest appearances from Howie Mandel, Miranda Cosgrove, and Joey Chestnut. The video reached 71 million views in the first 24 hours.

September 2024: Announcement of Lunchly Snack Kits

In September 2024, Donaldson announced the Lunchly brand of snack kits, marketed as a healthier alternative to Lunchables, as a joint venture with YouTubers Olajide "KSI" Olatunji and Logan Paul.