Joe Rogan
Encyclopedia
Joseph James "Joe" Rogan (born August 11, 1967) is an American
comedian
, video blogger, actor
, writer
, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio
, his work as color commentator
for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
, and his hosting work on Fear Factor
.
as Frank Valente, the young, ego-centric star player on a fictional professional baseball
team. From 1995-1999, Rogan co-starred on the comedy NewsRadio
. He portrayed Joe Garrelli, the electrician at WNYX, a news radio station in New York City
. In 2002, he appeared on the episode "A Beautiful Mind" of Just Shoot Me as Chris, Maya Gallo's boyfriend. In 2011, Rogan played his first major character in a movie in the Kevin James movie Zookeeper
. He is slated to play himself in an upcoming action-comedy starring Kevin James called Here Comes the Boom, set to be released in the summer of 2012.
. He eventually gained a 2nd dan black belt. He went on to become a four-time state champion in Massachusetts, and In 1987, he was the USA Taekwondo
U.S. Open lightweight champion.
In 1996, Rogan began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
under Carlson Gracie
at his school in Hollywood, California
. After Gracie relocated to Chicago
, Rogan later began training under Jean Jacques Machado
, (a cousin of the Gracie family
), eventually earning his brown belt under Machado. In addition, Rogan holds a brown belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
under Eddie Bravo
.
Rogan also practices kickboxing
.
in Dothan, Alabama
, before eventually becoming a color commentator
for the promotion.
and Joe Rogan: Talking Monkeys in Space
.
In 2007 Rogan confronted comedian Carlos Mencia
on stage, accusing him of joke thievery
. A video of the incident, created with Brian Redban, included evidence and supporting comments from other comedians, including George Lopez
, Reverend Bob Levy
, Bobby Lee and Ari Shaffir. Rogan was then banned from performing at The Comedy Store
and was dropped by his agents at The Gersh Agency
.
, as a host of the United States version of the show. He hosted from June 11, 2001 through September 12, 2006. Rogan will return as the host of Fear Factor in an upcoming rebooted edition of the show, which will air December 12, 2011 on NBC.
In 2003, Rogan and Doug Stanhope
replaced Jimmy Kimmel
and Adam Carolla
as co-hosts of The Man Show
. They continued through the end of the show's run in 2004.
In December 2009, Rogan began hosting a regular podcast with concurrent live Ustream
availability. Co-hosted by his friend and the show's producer Brian "Redban" Reichle, the podcast features an array of guests from the pursuits of comedy, acting and Mixed Martial Arts
. Now known as The Joe Rogan Experience, the show is regularly found in the Apple iTunes top 10 most downloaded comedy, and was named one of iTunes "Best of 2010" audio podcasts in its first year.
. His paternal grandfather was Irish, and the remainder of his ancestry is Italian.
In 2008, Rogan and his future wife, Jessica, had a baby girl. The couple married in 2009. In 2010, Rogan announced the birth of a second baby. Rogan also has a step daughter with his wife Jessica.
Although raised Roman Catholic, Rogan stated in September 2010, during a guest appearance on the Alex Jones radio show, that he does not follow any organized religions
because he feels it is all the work of man. Rogan also said that he is not completely opposed to the concept of a "higher power
" such as a God
; however, he views the concept of God as part of nature that exists in everything.
One of the recurring themes in his stand-up comedy and life is the use and support of cannabis
, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT
. Rogan supports the medical and recreational use of cannabis. He has also starred in the marijuana documentary The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
. Rogan was featured in the 2010 History Channel documentary, Marijuana: A Chronic History, as an advocate of legalized medical use of marijuana. He is also the presenter of the 2010 documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, released in October 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, video blogger, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio
NewsRadio
NewsRadio is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from 1995 to 1999. The series was created by executive producer Paul Simms, and was filmed in front of a studio audience at CBS Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios...
, his work as color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
, and his hosting work on Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
.
Acting
In 1994, Rogan co-starred on the Fox comedy HardballHardball (1994 TV series)
Hardball is an American baseball sitcom that aired on the Fox Network on Sunday nights from September 4, 1994 to October 23, 1994. Ironically the series premiered in the middle of the 1994-95 Major League Baseball strike and was canceled around the time that the year's World Series would have been...
as Frank Valente, the young, ego-centric star player on a fictional professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team. From 1995-1999, Rogan co-starred on the comedy NewsRadio
NewsRadio
NewsRadio is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from 1995 to 1999. The series was created by executive producer Paul Simms, and was filmed in front of a studio audience at CBS Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios...
. He portrayed Joe Garrelli, the electrician at WNYX, a news radio station in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In 2002, he appeared on the episode "A Beautiful Mind" of Just Shoot Me as Chris, Maya Gallo's boyfriend. In 2011, Rogan played his first major character in a movie in the Kevin James movie Zookeeper
Zookeeper (film)
Zookeeper is a 2011 comedy film starring Kevin James, and featuring the voices of Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Nick Nolte, Don Rickles, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau, Cher and Faizon Love. The film contains computer animation, is produced by Sandler's production company, Happy Madison, and is...
. He is slated to play himself in an upcoming action-comedy starring Kevin James called Here Comes the Boom, set to be released in the summer of 2012.
Martial arts
During high school, Rogan became a practitioner of kenpo karate at age 14, then went to TaekwondoTaekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
. He eventually gained a 2nd dan black belt. He went on to become a four-time state champion in Massachusetts, and In 1987, he was the USA Taekwondo
USA Taekwondo
USA Taekwondo is the national governing body of Taekwondo for the United States Olympic Committee and as such is the official Member National Association of the World Taekwondo Federation in the USA. It began in the 1970s as the AAU National Taekwondo Association, and later broke away from AAU...
U.S. Open lightweight champion.
In 1996, Rogan began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
under Carlson Gracie
Carlson Gracie
Carlson Gracie, Sr. was a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was the eldest son of Carlos Gracie, founder of the system with his uncle Hélio Gracie, and learned the art from his uncle and his father. He was a member of the legendary Gracie family.- Biography :Carlson Gracie would later split...
at his school in Hollywood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After Gracie relocated to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Rogan later began training under Jean Jacques Machado
Jean Jacques Machado
Jean Jacques Machado is one of the five Machado brothers, including Carlos, Roger, Rigan and John, renowned for their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills...
, (a cousin of the Gracie family
Gracie family
The Gracie family is a prominent sporting family from Brazil known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling events...
), eventually earning his brown belt under Machado. In addition, Rogan holds a brown belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
10th planet jiu-jitsu
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a non-traditional style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developed by Eddie Bravo. The characteristics that distinguish it from traditional grappling are its strong focus on alternative and unconventional techniques, and its foundations without using a gi...
under Eddie Bravo
Eddie Bravo
Eddie Bravo is a Mexican-American practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who holds a second degree black belt under Jean-Jacques Machado...
.
Rogan also practices kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
.
Color commentary
Rogan began working for the UFC in 1997, making his debut interviewing fighters at UFC 12: Judgement DayUFC 12
UFC 12: Judgement Day was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 7, 1997 at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama...
in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
, before eventually becoming a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for the promotion.
Stand-up comedy
Rogan has toured as a stand-up comedian and recorded several albums and specials, including Shiny Happy JihadShiny Happy Jihad
Shiny Happy Jihad is an album by American comedian Joe Rogan, released on April 10, 2007 by Comedy Central Records.-Track listing:#"Fear Factor"#"Pot, Jet Packs, and Peace in the Middle East "#"72 Virgins"...
and Joe Rogan: Talking Monkeys in Space
Joe Rogan: Talking Monkeys in Space
Talking Monkeys in Space is a 2009 stand-up comedy special by comedian Joe Rogan. The special originally aired on Spike TV. The show is 68 minutes of unedited and uncensored material. It was released on DVD by Comedy Central in 2010....
.
In 2007 Rogan confronted comedian Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia , born Ned Arnel Mencia, is a Honduran-born American comedian, writer, and actor. His style of comedy is often political and involves issues of race, culture, criminal justice, and social class...
on stage, accusing him of joke thievery
Joke thievery
Joke thievery is the act of performing and taking credit for comic material written by another person without their consent. This is a form of plagiarism and sometimes can be copyright infringement....
. A video of the incident, created with Brian Redban, included evidence and supporting comments from other comedians, including George Lopez
George Lopez
George Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is mostly known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including the Mexican American culture...
, Reverend Bob Levy
Reverend Bob Levy
"The Reverend" Bob Levy is an American stand-up comedian and radio personality who is most well known as the host of the comedy roasts and frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony Show as well as the Howard Stern Show, co-host of the Miserable Men show on Howard 101, and stand-up comedy performances...
, Bobby Lee and Ari Shaffir. Rogan was then banned from performing at The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. It has a sister comedy club in La Jolla, San Diego, California.-History:...
and was dropped by his agents at The Gersh Agency
The Gersh Agency
The Gersh Agency was established in 1949 by Founder . With 125 employees, 60 agents and offices in Beverly Hills and New York, TGA maintains seven full-service departments: Talent, Feature Literary, TV Literary, Theater, Comedy, Below-the-Line, and a modeling agency.-External links:***...
.
Hosting
Rogan worked on the TV series Fear FactorFear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
, as a host of the United States version of the show. He hosted from June 11, 2001 through September 12, 2006. Rogan will return as the host of Fear Factor in an upcoming rebooted edition of the show, which will air December 12, 2011 on NBC.
In 2003, Rogan and Doug Stanhope
Doug Stanhope
Douglas Gene "Doug" Stanhope is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author known for his abrasive comedy routines.-Life and career:Stanhope quit high school after his freshman year...
replaced Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel
James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel is an American television host and comedian. He is the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that airs on ABC. Prior to that, Kimmel was best known as the co-host of Comedy Central's The Man Show and Win Ben Stein's Money...
and Adam Carolla
Adam Carolla
Adam Carolla is an American radio personality, television host, comedian, and actor. He currently hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast on the ACE Broadcasting Network...
as co-hosts of The Man Show
The Man Show
The Man Show is an American comedy television show on Comedy Central. It was created in 1999 by its two original co-hosts, Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, and their executive producer Daniel Kellison.-Format:...
. They continued through the end of the show's run in 2004.
In December 2009, Rogan began hosting a regular podcast with concurrent live Ustream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
availability. Co-hosted by his friend and the show's producer Brian "Redban" Reichle, the podcast features an array of guests from the pursuits of comedy, acting and Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. Now known as The Joe Rogan Experience, the show is regularly found in the Apple iTunes top 10 most downloaded comedy, and was named one of iTunes "Best of 2010" audio podcasts in its first year.
Personal life
Rogan was born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. His paternal grandfather was Irish, and the remainder of his ancestry is Italian.
In 2008, Rogan and his future wife, Jessica, had a baby girl. The couple married in 2009. In 2010, Rogan announced the birth of a second baby. Rogan also has a step daughter with his wife Jessica.
Although raised Roman Catholic, Rogan stated in September 2010, during a guest appearance on the Alex Jones radio show, that he does not follow any organized religions
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
because he feels it is all the work of man. Rogan also said that he is not completely opposed to the concept of a "higher power
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
" such as a God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
; however, he views the concept of God as part of nature that exists in everything.
One of the recurring themes in his stand-up comedy and life is the use and support of cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT
Dimethyltryptamine
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. DMT is found in several plants, and also in trace amounts in humans and other mammals, where it is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan, and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT...
. Rogan supports the medical and recreational use of cannabis. He has also starred in the marijuana documentary The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High is a 2007 documentary film by Canadian filmmaker Brett Harvey.-Synopsis:The film explores the illegal growth, sale and trafficking of marijuana. Its theatrical run was limited to film festivals...
. Rogan was featured in the 2010 History Channel documentary, Marijuana: A Chronic History, as an advocate of legalized medical use of marijuana. He is also the presenter of the 2010 documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, released in October 2010.
Comedy recordings
- I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday (CD) (August 22, 2000)
- Live from the Belly of the Beast (DVD) (May 4–5, 2001)
- Joe Rogan: Live (DVD) (September 1, 2006)
- Shiny Happy JihadShiny Happy JihadShiny Happy Jihad is an album by American comedian Joe Rogan, released on April 10, 2007 by Comedy Central Records.-Track listing:#"Fear Factor"#"Pot, Jet Packs, and Peace in the Middle East "#"72 Virgins"...
(CD) (April 10, 2007) - Talking Monkeys In Space (CD & DVD) (2010) Comedy Central RecordsComedy Central RecordsComedy Central Records is a record label founded by Jack Vaughn and Comedy Central that puts out comedy albums by comedians that have appeared on their network....
Awards and recognition
- World MMA Awards 2011 Personality of the Year
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Best Television Announcer (2010)
- Teen Choice Award Nominated, Choice TV Reality/Variety Host for Fear Factor (2003)
External links
- Joe Rogan on YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Fear Factor
- Interview from August 2008
- Joe Rogan on his UFC career