History of Nate Bargatze in Timeline

Nathanael Bargatze is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his clean comedy and deadpan delivery. His success is highlighted by his achievement as the highest-grossing stand-up comic in 2024, selling over a million tickets. He has gained recognition for his unique comedic style and widespread appeal.

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Full Timeline

1997: Graduation from Donelson Christian Academy

In 1997, Nate Bargatze graduated from Donelson Christian Academy (DCA) in Nashville, where he also competed in track and field.

1997: Opryland closed

Nate Bargatze worked at Opryland USA as a teenager before its closure in 1997.

2002: Began Comedy Career

In 2002, Nate Bargatze began his comedy career and moved to Chicago to attend The Second City. He then enrolled in Jim Rauth's Comedy College focusing on stand-up comedy.

2002: Comedian documentary impacted his life

In 2002, Nate Bargatze watched the Jerry Seinfeld documentary Comedian, which he has called "life-changing" and a "big reason" why he moved to New York.

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2004: Moved to New York City

In 2004, Nate Bargatze moved to New York City and became a barker for the Boston Comedy Club to gain stage time. He also worked as a dogwalker and FedEx delivery driver to support his comedy career.

October 13, 2006: Married Laura Blair

On October 13, 2006, Nate Bargatze married Laura Blair, whom he met while working at an Applebee's in Nashville.

2008: Breakthrough Year

In 2008, Nate Bargatze had a breakthrough year, featuring on Comedy Central's stand-up show Live at Gotham, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

2009: Co-hosted 'It Could Be Better' podcast

From 2009, Nate Bargatze co-hosted the podcast It Could Be Better with Chris Laker and Yannis Pappas.

2010: Won comedy festivals

In 2010, Nate Bargatze won both New York's Comedy Festival and the Boston Comedy Festival.

2011: Released First Comedy Special

In 2011, Nate Bargatze released his first 30-minute special as part of an episode of Comedy Central Presents.

2012: Moved to Los Angeles and released comedy album

In 2012, Nate Bargatze moved to Los Angeles. He also released his first comedy album, Yelled At By A Clown, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Charts. He also appeared on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast.

2013: End of podcast

In 2013, Nate Bargatze finished co-hosting podcast It Could Be Better with Chris Laker and Yannis Pappas.

2013: Appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

In 2013, Nate Bargatze was booked on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and participated in Jimmy Fallon's Clean Cut Comedy Tour.

2014: Developed sitcom deal with NBC Universal

In 2014, Nate Bargatze developed a deal with NBC Universal to create a sitcom based on his life, with Jimmy Fallon as producer, but NBC scrapped the project. He also auditioned for The Daily Show.

2015: Released 'Full Time Magic' comedy special

In 2015, Nate Bargatze released his first hour-long special, Full Time Magic, by Comedy Central. The album version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Charts.

2017: Featured on Netflix's The Standups

In 2017, Nate Bargatze was featured in the first episode of Netflix's The Standups, which he said "changed everything" for his career.

2019: Released 'The Tennessee Kid' on Netflix and filmed sitcom pilot

In 2019, Nate Bargatze released an hour-long special, The Tennessee Kid, on Netflix. He also filmed a pilot of a multi-cam sitcom for ABC based on his life, but it was not picked up.

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2020: Started The Nateland Podcast

In 2020, Nate Bargatze began hosting The Nateland Podcast with Brian "Breakfast" Bates and Aaron Weber.

2021: Released 'The Greatest Average American' on Netflix

In 2021, Nate Bargatze released his stand-up special, The Greatest Average American, on Netflix, which was filmed outdoors at Universal Studios Hollywood and nominated for the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

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2022: Joined The Nateland Podcast and Voiced Grady in Aperture Desk Job

In 2022, Dusty Slay joined Nate Bargatze as a fourth host on The Nateland Podcast. Nate also voiced the character Grady in the Portal spinoff game Aperture Desk Job.

January 2023: Released 'Hello World' on Amazon Prime Video

In January 2023, Nate Bargatze's stand-up special Hello World was released on Amazon Prime Video, setting a record for Amazon's most-streamed original comedy special.

April 15, 2023: Broke attendance record at Bridgestone Arena

On April 15, 2023, Nate Bargatze drew 19,365 attendees to a performance at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, breaking the venue's all-time attendance record.

October 28, 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live for the First Time

On October 28, 2023, Nate Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, attracting attention for his portrayal of George Washington in sketches that mock the American language and system of measurements.

October 5, 2024: Second time hosting SNL

On October 5, 2024, Nate Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the second time, continuing his portrayal of George Washington in sketches.

2024: Highest-Grossing Stand-Up Comic

In 2024, Nate Bargatze became the highest-grossing stand-up comedian, having sold over a million tickets across his shows.

2024: Commented on entertainment for people not on the coasts.

In 2024, Nate Bargatze commented that "I don't think there was a lot of entertainment made for people not on the coasts during that period," and said that while his subsequent success led to renewed interest from networks, "I don't know if I'd do a sitcom now."

2024: Contributed to athletic facility at alma mater

In 2024, Nate Bargatze contributed $1.15 million to the development of an indoor athletic facility at Donelson Christian Academy, his alma mater. The school named the facility in his honor.

March 2025: Announced acting role

In March 2025, Nate Bargatze announced that he would make his first feature acting role in The Breadwinner, a film he co-wrote with Dan Lagana.

September 2025: Hosted 77th Primetime Emmy Awards

In September 2025, Nate Bargatze hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, where he introduced a controversial donation counter to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.