Nate Bargatze is an American stand-up comedian from Nashville, Tennessee, known for his clean, deadpan comedy style. He became the highest-grossing comedian of 2024, hosted Saturday Night Live twice, and released multiple Netflix specials, including “The Tennessee Kid” and “The Greatest Average American.”
Who Is Nate Bargatze?
Nate Bargatze is a stand-up comedian and actor born March 25, 1979, in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrated for his deadpan, monotone delivery and clean comedy approach. The Atlantic Magazine dubbed him “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” while CBS Morning recognized him as “One of the Funniest People.”
In 2024, Bargatze achieved remarkable commercial success, grossing $82.2 million from 1.1 million tickets sold across 148 shows—setting a new record for the largest one-year gross by a comedy performer in Billboard’s Boxscore history. His rise from working as a host at Applebee’s to becoming the world’s top-earning comedian shows what dedication and authentic storytelling can achieve.
What sets Bargatze apart in today’s comedy landscape? He doesn’t rely on shock value, political commentary, or profanity. Instead, he mines humor from everyday situations—family dynamics, airport mishaps, and the absurdities of modern life.
Early Life and Background
Bargatze was born on March 25, 1979, in Nashville, Tennessee, to parents Stephen and Carol Bargatze. His father, Stephen, worked as a clown and member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, while his mother, Carol, worked in the ticket office for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Raised in a devoutly religious Christian household, Bargatze is one of three children.
Bargatze attended DuPont Elementary in Nashville and later transferred to Donelson Christian Academy, where his father had a day job teaching history. The comedian has said he “wasn’t the best at school” and learned in adulthood that he suffers from dyslexia.
After high school, Bargatze attended Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin for a year, working various jobs, including construction, manning a cellphone kiosk at Walmart, and delivering furniture. He enrolled at Western Kentucky University but struggled academically and dropped out. He later worked at Applebee’s and landed a job as a meter-reader for a water company in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
The water meter reading job proved pivotal. A fellow meter-reader, Michael Clay, also had an ambition to become a comedian, and together they decided to quit their jobs and both pursue a comedy career.
The Journey to Comedy Stardom
Bargatze began his comedy career in 2002 and moved to Chicago to attend The Second City, an improvisational comedy troupe. In 2004, he relocated to New York City, where he became a barker for the Boston Comedy Club, handing out flyers in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time at night. During the day, he worked as a dog walker and a FedEx delivery driver to support himself.
He spent most of his early years performing for single-digit crowds and stated that it took “about a year” before he received a paying gig in New York. The grind paid off. Bargatze had a turning-point year in 2008, featuring on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.
After two years in Los Angeles, Bargatze returned home to Nashville, deeming it more suitable for his wife and daughter, initially keeping the move quiet as he didn’t want people in the industry to think he had quit comedy.
Netflix Specials and Streaming Success
Bargatze’s streaming career showcases his evolution as a comedian:
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The Tennessee Kid (2019)
Nate’s first solo one-hour Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, premiered globally with rave reviews in 2019. Sarah Aswell of Forbes named it as the best comedy special of the year. The special covers topics like air travel, budget weddings, college football, and the challenges of ordering coffee.
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The Greatest Average American (2021)
In 2021, he released his critically acclaimed second Netflix special, The Greatest Average American, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. Filmed outdoors during the pandemic at Universal Studios Hollywood, this special addresses Zoom comedy shows, losing his phone while traveling, and navigating parenthood.
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Hello World (2023)
In 2023, Nate released his third one-hour special, Nate Bargatze: Hello World, on Amazon Prime, which holds the record as Amazon’s most-streamed original comedy special in its first 28 days of viewership, drawing 2.9 million viewers.
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Your Friend, Nate Bargatze (2024)
In 2024, Bargatze returned to Netflix with a two-stand-up special deal. The first of the two specials, Your Friend, Nate Bargatze, premiered globally on Netflix on December 24th, 2024, and was in the top 10 most-watched shows.
Record-Breaking Tours and Live Performances
In 2023, Bargatze broke the attendance record at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with 19,365 attendees. The next month, he also broke the record for tickets sold at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City—the highest amount ever sold by a comedian at the venue. In 2024, he broke 20 total arena records.
With more than 1.2 million tickets sold on his The Be Funny Tour, Bargatze currently ranks as the #1 earning comedian in the world according to Pollstar’s recent report, and #12 in overall live tour ticket sales, putting him in the company of Coldplay, Madonna, and U2.
Big Dumb Eyes World Tour 2025
Coming off the success of his 2024 The Be Funny Tour, Bargatze announced 66 dates for his 2025 Big Dumb Eyes World Tour, which includes stops in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The tour kicked off in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2025 and covers much of North America through December. The tour features all new material and continues to sell out venues nationwide.
Saturday Night Live and Television Appearances
Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in 2023, earning rave reviews and securing high ratings for the program, with Vanity Fair calling him “A Great Saturday Night Live Host,” and Entertainment Weekly exclaiming “A frighteningly funny Halloween episode.” Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the second time in fall 2024, to rave reviews, with Vulture.com asking the question, “Has Nate Bargatze Cracked The SNL code?”
In those appearances, he attracted attention for his portrayal of George Washington in sketches that mock the American language and system of measurements. Bargatze said hosting SNL led to a “giant, giant leap” in his career.
Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable, evident in his 14 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the most by any comedian. He also appeared on Conan four times and has appeared on Seth Meyers and James Corden’s respective late-night shows.
2025 Emmy Awards
In September 2025, Bargatze hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. His selection reflects his mainstream appeal and ability to entertain diverse audiences.
His Marriage to Laura Bargatze
Nate and Laura first crossed paths in the early 2000s when they were both twenty-somethings working at an Applebee’s restaurant in Tennessee. He was a host at the restaurant, and Laura worked as a server.
Nate and Laura got married on October 13, 2006, which just so happened to be Friday the 13th. The couple frequently jokes about their unconventional wedding date in Bargatze’s comedy routines.
Laura attended Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2005. She later moved into corporate event planning when the couple relocated to New York City. According to LinkedIn, Laura works as an executive producer for Nateland Productions, the team behind her husband’s podcast, Nateland.
Laura plays a significant behind-the-scenes role in Nate’s career while maintaining her own professional identity. She serves as a talent manager at Bargatze Enterprises and regularly appears on The Nateland Podcast.
His Daughter Harper
The couple has a 12-year-old daughter named Harper whom they welcomed in July 2012. Harper has introduced Nate on all three of his Netflix specials, saying the same thing each time: “Please welcome my daddy, Nate Bargatze!”
Harper frequently appears as material in her father’s comedy. Bargatze jokes about struggling with third-grade homework, losing track of which school bus she rides, and the everyday chaos of parenting. The jokes always come from a place of love and self-deprecation, with Bargatze positioning himself as the confused parent rather than mocking his daughter.
The Clean Comedy Philosophy
Bargatze keeps his stand-up material clean because he still feels like he would “get in trouble” with his parents if they heard him telling a dirty joke, stating, “I don’t want to disappoint my parents.” He continued, “I just can’t imagine cursing in front of your parents. Still, even now, I’m 43 years old and I still just couldn’t do that. So that’s how I write. I think I write my comedy to—a lot of it is to make my parents laugh.”
Bargatze has said he was only allowed to watch clean comedians growing up, with Brian Regan becoming one of his primary inspirations. This upbringing shaped his comedic voice permanently. He’s named Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin, Brian Regan, Bob Newhart, and Bill Cosby as comedic influences.
The clean approach hasn’t limited his career—it’s become his signature. Families can attend his shows together. Parents don’t worry about inappropriate content. His comedy proves you don’t need shock value to sell out arenas.
Nateland Entertainment and Business Ventures
In 2023, Bargatze unveiled Nateland Entertainment, a family-friendly content company where he produces standup comedy specials, showcases, sketches, and scripted episodic content for film, television, podcasts, music, and more.
Bargatze was recently signed to Universal Music Group Nashville as their flagship comedian under their new Capitol Comedy label. This partnership positions him uniquely in the music industry capital.
- The Nateland Podcast
Bargatze began hosting The Nateland Podcast in 2020 along with Brian “Breakfast” Bates and Aaron Weber; in 2022, Dusty Slay joined as a fourth host. The podcast features conversations about life, current events, and comedy, all filtered through Bargatze’s Southern sensibility.
2. Book: Big Dumb Eyes
In May 2025, Bargatze released his first book, Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind. The book connects to his 2025 tour of the same name and offers written stories in his signature voice.
3. Film Projects
In March 2025, Bargatze stated that he would make his first feature acting role in The Breadwinner, a film he co-wrote with Dan Lagana, announcing the film’s release date as March 13, 2026.
His Comedy Style and Delivery
Bargatze’s comedy is characterized by several distinct elements:
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Deadpan Delivery
His monotone, expressionless delivery has become his trademark. He rarely smiles while performing, letting the absurdity of the stories speak for themselves. This understated approach makes ordinary situations extraordinarily funny.
2. Self-Deprecating Humor
Bargatze positions himself as the least intelligent person in every scenario. His wife is smarter. His daughter is funnier. He constantly misunderstands basic concepts. This self-effacing approach makes him immediately likable.
3. Observational Comedy
He finds humor in universal experiences—hotel breakfast buffets, airport confusion, family gatherings, and marriage dynamics. His material connects because everyone has lived similar moments.
4. Family-Friendly Content
Without crude humor or profanity, Bargatze creates comedy accessible to all ages. This inclusive approach has built him a diverse fanbase spanning generations.
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Awards and Recognition:
- Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album (2022)
- Two Emmy nominations for Your Friend, Nate Bargatze
- Highest-grossing comedian of 2024
- Record-breaking arena attendance across 20+ venues
- Billboard’s highest-grossing comedy tour in history
2. Television Appearances:
- 14 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (most of any comedian)
- Four appearances on Conan
- Multiple appearances on Late Night with Seth Meyers
- Two Saturday Night Live hosting gigs
- CBS holiday special: Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas
3. Streaming Records:
- Amazon Prime’s most-streamed original comedy special debuts
- Multiple Netflix specials in the Top 10
What’s Next for Nate Bargatze?
Just days after the Emmy announcement, Bargatze revealed he soon plans to quit standup and pursue a filmmaking career in an interview with The New York Times, envisioning at most only two more tours and televised specials. This unexpected announcement shocked fans but demonstrates his desire to explore new creative territories.
His 2025 Big Dumb Eyes World Tour continues through December, giving fans multiple opportunities to see him live. The upcoming film The Breadwinner represents his first major foray into acting and screenwriting.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Bargatze’s total fortune at around $40 million as of January 2025.
Why Nate Bargatze Resonates with Audiences
In an era of divisive comedy and shock-value humor, Bargatze offers something refreshing—comedy that brings people together rather than dividing them. He doesn’t punch down. He doesn’t push boundaries for the sake of edge. He finds humor in shared human experiences.
His Southern roots ground his comedy in specific details while exploring universal themes. Airport security confuses everyone. Marriages require compromise and communication. Parenting humbles the most confident adults. Technology baffles older generations.
Bargatze’s success proves audiences crave comedy they can enjoy without cringing, share without hesitation, and recommend to anyone. His clean approach isn’t a limitation—it’s a superpower that’s made him the most successful touring comedian in America.
FAQs
Where is Nate Bargatze from?
Nate Bargatze was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently resides in Nashville with his wife, Laura, and daughter Harper, about 25 minutes south of downtown.
How did Nate Bargatze get into comedy?
Bargatze began his comedy career in 2002 after working as a water meter reader. Inspired by The Bob & Tom Show radio program, he moved to Chicago to study at The Second City before relocating to New York City to perform at the Boston Comedy Club.
Is Nate Bargatze married?
Yes, Nate Bargatze married Laura Baines on October 13, 2006 (Friday the 13th). They met while working together at Applebee’s in Tennessee and have one daughter, Harper, born in 2012.
What Netflix specials has Nate Bargatze released?
Bargatze has released three Netflix specials: The Tennessee Kid (2019), The Greatest Average American (2021), and Your Friend, Nate Bargatze (2024). He also released Hello World on Amazon Prime in 2023.
Why is Nate Bargatze called a clean comedian?
Bargatze performs without profanity, sexual content, or crude humor. He credits his Christian upbringing and respect for his parents as reasons for keeping his material family-friendly.
What is Nate Bargatze’s net worth?
As of January 2025, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Bargatze’s fortune at approximately $40 million, earned through touring, streaming specials, and various business ventures.
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