Chris Hardwick
Born 1971 · Age 54
American comedian, actor, writer, producer and host. Founder of Nerdist Industries and creator/host of The Nerdist Podcast (later ID10T). Host of Talking Dead and @midnight; co-created Nerdist digital properties and Nerdist YouTube channel.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Louisville, Kentucky
Christopher Ryan Hardwick born to Billy Hardwick and Sharon Hills.
Memphis City Junior High Chess Champion
Won the 1983 Memphis City Junior High chess championship while growing up in Memphis, Tennessee.
Graduated UCLA (Philosophy)
Graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in philosophy; was a member of Chi Phi fraternity freshman year.
Co-hosted MTV's 'Singled Out' (start)
Co-hosted Singled Out with Jenny McCarthy on MTV (1995–1998).
Starred in UPN sitcom 'Guys Like Us'
Starred in UPN comedy Guys Like Us; show aired 12 episodes and was cancelled January 1999.
Became sober (recovering alcoholic)
Has been sober since October 2003; a long-stated personal milestone shaping his life and career.
Contributor & TV commentator work
Guest commentator on VH1's I Love the '90s and appeared on various TV shows; increasingly active across media.
Began contributing writer role at Wired
Started writing for Wired magazine (ongoing contributor from 2007).
Hard 'n Phirm Comedy Central special
Comedy Central Presents: Hard 'n Phirm special (musical comedy duo with Mike Phirman) aired January 2008.
Nerdist Podcast recognized by press
The Nerdist Podcast was named one of 2010's best (The A.V. Club) and included in Rolling Stone's 10 best comedy podcasts.
Launched The Nerdist Podcast
Launched The Nerdist Podcast, a weekly interview show hosted by Chris Hardwick with Jonah Ray and Matt Mira; flagship property of what would become Nerdist Industries.
Published 'The Nerdist Way' (book)
Published self-help/business book 'The Nerdist Way: How to Reach the Next Level (In Real Life)' with Penguin.
Began hosting 'Talking Dead' (start year)
Started hosting AMC's aftershow Talking Dead (2011 onward), interviewing cast, crew and fans about The Walking Dead episodes.
Opened Nerdist Showroom (NerdMelt) at Meltdown Comics
Nerdist Showroom (known as NerdMelt) performance space opened in April 2011 in Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles; hosted comedy, panels and live podcasts.
Equity partnership with GeekChicDaily
Entered an equity partnership with GeekChicDaily (co-founded by Peter Levin) to expand nerd/pop-culture publishing and content.
GeekChicDaily merged to form Nerdist Industries
In February 2012 GeekChicDaily and Hardwick's Nerdist projects merged to form Nerdist Industries; GeekChicDaily rebranded Nerdist News.
Filmed 'Mandroid' stand-up special
Filmed Mandroid, his first one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central in New York City (filmed Feb 17, 2012).
Appointed co-president of Legendary Digital business
As part of the Legendary acquisition, Hardwick was given the title of co-president of Legendary's digital business operations.
Legendary Entertainment acquires Nerdist Industries
Legendary Entertainment acquired Nerdist Industries in July 2012; Nerdist was to operate independently with Hardwick and Peter Levin as co-presidents.
'Mandroid' stand-up special aired on Comedy Central
Comedy Central aired Chris Hardwick: Mandroid on November 10, 2012; DVD/CD releases followed January 22, 2013.
Peter Levin leaves Nerdist Industries
Peter Levin left Nerdist Industries in 2013; later took a role heading Lionsgate's Interactive Ventures and Games (announcement in 2014).
Nerdist News transitions to YouTube web series
Late 2013 Nerdist News moved to a daily web series on the Nerdist YouTube channel hosted by Jessica Chobot.
Announced @midnight (Comedy Central)
Comedy Central announced a new half-hour comedic panel show @midnight hosted by Chris Hardwick (announcement Apr 30, 2013).
Hosted 'Talking Bad' companion show
Hosted Talking Bad, AMC's live aftershow companion to the final eight episodes of Breaking Bad (August 2013 run).
Premiere of '@midnight with Chris Hardwick'
@midnight premiered on Comedy Central October 21, 2013; Hardwick served as creator, host, writer and executive producer.
Spike Guys' Choice Award (Smartacus) — Won
Won Spike Guys' Choice Award for Smartacus (2014).
Primetime Emmy nomination (@midnight)
@midnight received a 2014 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Program.
Voiced 'Vaughn' in Telltale's Tales from the Borderlands
Provided voice work for Vaughn in the 2014 game Tales from the Borderlands (later reprised in DLCs and Borderlands 3).
Relinquished operational control of Nerdist Industries
In 2015 Hardwick relinquished day-to-day operational control of Nerdist Industries while remaining CEO in title until his contract expiry in 2017.
Primetime Emmy activity (2015 nominations/wins)
@midnight received Primetime Emmy attention in 2015; Hardwick and show recognized for interactive media/social TV experience.
Engaged to Lydia Hearst
Announced engagement to model/actress Lydia Hearst on September 12, 2015.
Began hosting 'Talking Saul' (start)
Began hosting Talking Saul, an AMC live one-hour companion show to Better Call Saul (February 2016 episodes).
Primetime Emmy wins for @midnight (2015 & 2016)
@midnight won Primetime Emmy(s) for Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media – Social TV Experience (2015 and 2016).
Began hosting NBC's 'The Wall'
Became host and executive producer of NBC game show The Wall (started 2016).
Married Lydia Hearst
Married Lydia Hearst on August 20, 2016 in Pasadena, California.
'@midnight' ended (series concluded)
@midnight ran from 2013 and concluded in 2017 after roughly 600 episodes; Hardwick credited as creator, host and EP.
Contract with Legendary expired; ceased being CEO in practice
Hardwick's contract with Legendary expired in 2017; he considered his role advisory and ultimately moved the original podcast out of Nerdist.
Announced rebrand of The Nerdist Podcast to 'ID10T'
Announced in early February 2018 that The Nerdist Podcast was rebranding to ID10T with Chris Hardwick and would be leaving Nerdist (catalog/rights retained by Hardwick).
Nerdist Showroom (NerdMelt) closed
Nerdist Showroom located inside Meltdown Comics closed on March 31, 2018 after the building was sold to developers.
Chloe Dykstra publishes abuse allegation essay
Ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra published an essay alleging emotional and sexual abuse (did not name the alleged abuser explicitly; timing led readers to identify Hardwick).
Nerdist removes Hardwick references from site
Nerdist removed references to Chris Hardwick from its website amid the allegations and related media fallout.
AMC investigation clears Hardwick; returns to hosting
After an AMC-commissioned investigation, AMC announced on July 25, 2018 it had not confirmed Dykstra's allegations and that Hardwick would return as host of Talking Dead and Talking With Chris Hardwick.
Hardwick's name returned to Nerdist website
On August 10, 2018 Nerdist restored Chris Hardwick's name to its site following their internal review.
Reprised 'Vaughn' role in Borderlands 3
Reprised the role of Vaughn in later Borderlands content, including material associated with Borderlands 3.
The (original) podcast surpassed 1,000 episodes
Hardwick's podcast (including catalog and later under ID10T) had broadcast 1,000 episodes as of December 2019.
Birth of daughter
Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst announced arrival of their daughter on January 29, 2022.
Continued active hosting & voice work
Continues to host The Wall and other projects, and to do voice acting and producing work (ongoing career through 2023+).
Long-term public profile & legacy of Nerdist
Nerdist remains a significant digital entertainment brand (Nerdist Network, YouTube channel, Nerdist News) originally founded from Hardwick's podcast and expanded via the 2012 merger/acquisition.
Key Achievement Ages
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