Steve Doocy Interviews Comedian Matt Rife on Viral Success

Fox News’ Steve Doocy recently caught up with viral comedian Matt Rife during one of his tour stops. They discussed his rise in comedy, largely attributed to viral TikTok clips, the importance of faith in his life, and performing for large audiences.

Matt Rife appeared on “Fox & Friends” and emphasized how social media changed the way comedians break into the entertainment industry. He shared that posting viral crowd work clips on TikTok did what years of trying to navigate Hollywood’s traditional paths could not.

Originally from Ohio, Rife moved to Los Angeles with the expectation of becoming a regular at prominent comedy clubs. His aim was to attract the attention of talent scouts and secure television roles. However, after initial success on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out,” he found himself struggling to advance his career before social media offered him a new opportunity.

“That’s why I moved to LA, to maybe become a regular at places like the Laugh Factory or the Comedy Store,” Rife explained. He hoped these venues could lead to late-night sets and potential sitcom roles. Before his social media breakthrough, Rife told Dave Portnoy during a podcast that he earned between $40,000 to $60,000 annually, considered “very low income” by Los Angeles standards.

Rife’s fortunes changed dramatically with the discovery of TikTok. Despite his initial reluctance to join the platform, he accumulated over 20.3 million followers and a reported net worth of $40-50 million.

Rife also spoke of his excitement about his role in “Rolling Loud: The Movie,” featuring Owen Wilson, set to release on October 2. “Owen Wilson is someone who inspired me to pursue acting. He’s incredibly talented,” Rife said. His opportunity to learn and work with Wilson marks another significant achievement in his career.

Max Bacall, an associate editor for Fox News Digital, contributed to media, culture, and comedy coverage.