Chris Gethard

Christopher Paul Gethard was born on May 23, 1980, in West Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. He pursued his education at Rutgers University, graduating in 2002 with a degree in American Studies. During his time at Rutgers, Gethard began taking classes at Manhattan’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in 2000, laying the groundwork for his career in improvisational acting and comedy. His early career saw him contributing as a writer and performer, building a foundation for his distinct comedic style.

Gethard gained significant recognition as the host of “The Chris Gethard Show,” which began as a live show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in 2009. The show evolved, airing on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, then Fusion, and finally truTV until its cancellation in 2018. Known for its unpredictable nature and audience interaction, the show featured celebrity guests such as P. Diddy, Amy Poehler, and Will Ferrell. In 2017, HBO broadcast his critically acclaimed one-man special, “Chris Gethard: Career Suicide,” which addressed his personal experiences with depression, suicide attempts, and alcoholism, earning praise from major publications.

Beyond television, Gethard hosts the successful Earwolf podcast “Beautiful/Anonymous,” launched in 2016, where he engages in candid hour-long phone calls with anonymous callers. He also co-hosted “In Your Dreams” with Gary Richardson and launched “New Jersey is the World” in 2021, exploring New Jersey’s history and culture. Gethard is the author of several books, including “Weird NY,” “A Bad Idea I’m About to Do,” and the self-help narrative “Lose Well.” His career has consistently demonstrated a commitment to authentic storytelling and engagement with complex topics.