Bert Kreischer
Born 1972 · Age 53
American stand-up comedian, podcaster, reality-TV host, actor and producer, best known for shirtless storytelling, his "Machine" story, multiple Netflix specials, podcasts (Bertcast, 2 Bears 1 Cave) and festival/production ventures.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida
Albert Charles Kreischer Jr. was born in St. Petersburg and raised in Tampa, Florida.
Grew up in Tampa; family background noted
Raised in Tampa; mother worked in early childhood development and father was a real-estate attorney.
Attended Jesuit High School (Tampa) — secondary education
Attended Jesuit High School of Tampa (approximate graduation year inferred from college timeline).
Enrolled at Florida State University (FSU)
Began undergraduate studies at FSU; majored in English and joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. (Estimated start year based on six-year attendance ending 1997.)
First stand-up experience at Potbelly's (Tallahassee)
Performed stand-up for the first time at Potbelly's bar/nightclub while in Tallahassee during college.
Oliver Stone optioned life rights
Director Oliver Stone optioned film rights to the Rolling Stone feature based on Kreischer's life (development deal later fell through).
FSU named #1 Party School (Princeton Review) while he attended
During Kreischer's sixth year at FSU, The Princeton Review ranked the university the No.1 party school, context for Rolling Stone article.
Graduated Florida State University (BA, Creative Writing)
Completed his B.A. (Creative Writing) at Florida State University — listed as BA 1997 on FSU page.
Featured in Rolling Stone as 'The Undergraduate' (top partyer)
Rolling Stone published a six-page feature 'Bert Kreischer: The Undergraduate,' naming him 'the top partyer at the Number One Party School'.
Moved to New York City to pursue comedy
Relocated to NYC after a talent agent saw a tape of his set and invited him to the city to watch shows and pursue stand-up opportunities.
Worked the door at the Boston Comedy Club
Worked at the Boston Comedy Club (now-defunct) while building stand-up career in NYC scene.
Sitcom offer from Will Smith's production company (development)
Within five months of moving to NYC, Kreischer was offered a sitcom deal by Will Smith's production company (did not become a long-running show).
Host on FX's The X Show
Served as a host on The X Show (FX) during 2001–2002.
Starred in pilot 'Life With David J.'
Appeared in a television pilot based on producer DJ Nash's life titled Life With David J. (pilot year 2001).
National Lampoon's Van Wilder released (inspired by Rolling Stone article)
The 2002 film Van Wilder (starring Ryan Reynolds) was based on a script that originated out of the Rolling Stone piece about Kreischer (he states he had no involvement).
Married LeeAnn Kreischer
Bert and LeeAnn were married in December 2003.
Appeared on National Lampoon Live: New Faces – Volume 2 (DVD)
Featured along with four other comedians on this DVD release.
Acted in TV series episode 'The Shield' (Cracking Ice)
Appeared as Alfred in a 2004 episode of The Shield.
Hosted 'Hurt Bert' on FX
Hosted the television series Hurt Bert on FX in 2004.
Story featured on Comedy Central's Shorties Watchin' Shorties
One of his stories appeared in an animated segment on Comedy Central's show.
Birth of first child, Georgia Mae Kreischer
Daughter Georgia Mae was born on June 8, 2004; Bert returned to touring three days after her birth.
Birth of second child, Ila Grace Kreischer
Daughter Ila Grace was born on July 18, 2006. Bert has spoken publicly about her dyslexia.
Comedy special 'Comfortably Dumb' (Comedy Central / Showtime listing)
His first comedy special 'Comfortably Dumb' appeared (credited to 2009).
Bert the Conqueror (Travel Channel) launched
Hosted Travel Channel reality show 'Bert the Conqueror' 2010–2011 (and later in 2016), traveling to amusement parks and performing stunts.
Regular guest on Rachael Ray (2011–2015)
Appeared regularly as a guest on the Rachael Ray show across multiple years.
Launched podcast 'Bertcast'
Bertcast launched in 2012; previously recorded in his 'Man Cave'. It became a central long-running podcast with hundreds of episodes.
Began hosting Trip Flip (Travel Channel)
Hosted 'Trip Flip' on Travel Channel from 2012–2015.
Notable podcast guest appearances (Joe Rogan, Marc Maron, others)
Was guest on high-profile podcasts including The Joe Rogan Experience (#73 in 2013), WTF with Marc Maron, Doug Loves Movies and others — raising profile in podcasting community.
Published memoir 'Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child'
Authored and published a 256-page memoir via St. Martin's Press (ISBN 978-1-250-03031-3).
Publicly clarified non-involvement in Van Wilder (NY Post interview)
In a 2014 interview, Kreischer stated he had never seen Van Wilder and had nothing to do with it despite being its inspiration.
Appeared on 'This Is Not Happening' (wrestling a bear story)
Returned to Comedy Central's storytelling series to recount his experience wrestling a bear.
Released 'The Machine' stand-up special (Showtime)
Showtime released 'Bert Kreischer: The Machine' in 2016, centered on his famed 'Machine' story.
Story of 'The Machine' becomes signature set
The 'Machine' story (train/Russian mob anecdote) became his signature tale and later the basis for a feature film.
Australian tour announced (international touring expansion)
Announced and embarked on international (Australian) touring in 2017; continuing global stand-up presence.
Recognized by The Guardian and Forbes
Named 'one of the US's top stand-ups over the past decade' by The Guardian; Forbes praised him as one of the best storytellers of his generation (recognitions compiled by bios).
Netflix special 'Secret Time' released
Netflix released 'Bert Kreischer: Secret Time' (filmed in Philadelphia) in August 2018.
Began co-hosting '2 Bears, 1 Cave' with Tom Segura (podcast)
Became co-host of the popular comedy podcast with Tom Segura (start year approximated based on public chronology).
Netflix special 'Hey Big Boy' released
Released the Netflix special 'Hey Big Boy' in March 2020 (filmed in Cleveland, OH).
Peter Atencio attached to direct movie adaptation of 'The Machine'
Deadline reported April 14, 2021 that Peter Atencio would direct Legendary's 'The Machine' starring Bert Kreischer (production news).
Pollstar: #4 Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours
Pollstar listed Bert as #4 in the 'Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours' for 2022, performing to sold-out arenas worldwide.
Founded Berty Boy Productions
Launched Berty Boy Productions as the production home for his podcasts, videos and the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival brand.
The Machine entered streaming Top 10; launched on major platforms
After theatrical release, 'The Machine' launched on platforms (Hulu/Disney+) and entered Netflix/streaming Top 10 film lists.
Launched Por Osos vodka with Tom Segura
Launched a vodka brand with Tom Segura (timing reported as 'last year' relative to 2024 updates; recorded here as 2023 launch).
Third Annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival (wrapped)
Wrapped the third annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival across iconic ballparks and arenas in 2023 (multi-city festival).
Netflix special 'Razzle Dazzle' released
Released 'Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle' on Netflix in March 2023; reported to have ~8.3 million global views in debut.
Film 'The Machine' premiered in theaters
Starred in and produced the Legendary/Sony Pictures film 'The Machine' (based on his 'Machine' story), premiering in US theaters May 26, 2023.
Fully Loaded at Sea Cruise (sold out)
Hosted the Fully Loaded at Sea Cruise Oct 27–31, 2023 from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau; event sold out and broke alcohol sales records.
140-city international arena tour completed; recorded hometown special
Completed a 140-city international arena tour and shot his 6th stand-up special in his hometown of Tampa; six hometown shows sold out within a day.
Social media reach milestone
Profiles report social media totals of ~13.4M fans across platforms and large YouTube view totals (figures differ between sources; 2024 snapshot).
Inaugural '2 Bears 5K' at Rose Bowl (Two Bears, One Cave fan event)
Hosted the inaugural 2 Bears 5K at the Rose Bowl with thousands participating; announced the second 2B5K for 2025 in Tampa.
Something's Burning YouTube view milestone (reported)
YouTube cooking show 'Something's Burning' reported high lifetime views — site and bios report ranges; 2024 reporting shows ~45.3M total views to date.
Continued status as top-grossing touring comedian
Following the 2024–2025 touring cycle and Netflix specials, Kreischer remains one of the highest-grossing comedy touring acts in the U.S.
Netflix special 'Lucky' released
Netflix slated release of Bert Kreischer: Lucky on March 18, 2025 (6th special; filmed in Tampa).
Key Achievement Ages
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