Smosh
Born 2002 · Age 23
Smosh is an American YouTube sketch-comedy collective and production brand founded as smosh.com by Anthony Padilla (joined by Ian Hecox). It expanded into multiple channels, products, and ventures, underwent several ownership changes, and was repurchased by its co-founders in 2023.
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Life & Career Timeline
Smosh (smosh.com) founded by Anthony Padilla
Anthony Padilla built smosh.com to host Flash animations and games; the name 'Smosh' originated from a misheard 'smosh pit'.
Smosh YouTube channel created; first uploads
Officially joined YouTube and uploaded three videos (including 'Power Rangers' and 'Mortal Kombat'); channel creation date is Nov 19, 2005.
Released 'Pokémon Theme Music Video' (viral)
One of Smosh's earliest videos, it lip-synced the English Pokémon theme and became massively viral.
Barry Blumberg discovers Smosh; management begins
Barry Blumberg (former Disney Television Animation president) became manager and guided diversification and scheduling.
Became YouTube's most-subscribed channel (first span)
Smosh briefly became the most-subscribed YouTube channel (May–June 2006).
Featured in Time's 'Person of the Year: You' issue
Smosh's early popularity led to inclusion in Time magazine's 2006 'You' issue.
Joined YouTube Partner Program (monetization)
Under Blumberg's guidance, Smosh entered YouTube's Partner Program (2007) enabling monetization.
YouTube Awards — Comedy (Won)
Smosh won the 2007 YouTube Awards in the Comedy category for 'Smosh Short 2: Stranded'.
Became most-subscribed again (2007–2008)
Smosh held the #1 most-subscribed YouTube channel position from April 2007 to September 2008.
Pokémon video removed for copyright (takedown)
2007: the original Pokémon Theme video was removed from YouTube due to a copyright infringement claim.
Reached 1,000,000 subscribers (YouTube milestone)
Smosh's main channel reached 1,000,000 subscribers by 2009 (YouTube Creator milestones noted).
Launched 'Smosh Pit' blog
Smosh launched the 'Smosh Pit' blog feature for pop-culture trivia and written comedy.
Recreated Pokémon video (YouTube partnership)
Recreated the removed Pokémon theme video in November 2010, with altered lyrics criticizing the takedown.
Mari Takahashi hired; Smosh Pit Weekly hosted
Mariko 'Mari' Takahashi joined in 2011 to host Smosh Pit Weekly on their second channel.
Acquired by Alloy Digital / Defy Media
In July 2011 Smosh was acquired by Alloy Digital (later Defy Media); the brand saw ~40% boost in viewership.
Launched three new channels (ElSmosh, Shut Up! Cartoons, Smosh Games)
In 2012 Smosh expanded into ElSmosh (Spanish-dubbed), Shut Up! Cartoons (animation), and Smosh Games (gaming).
Ian Hecox & Anthony Padilla listed in Forbes 30 Under 30
Hecox and Padilla were named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2012 (and again in 2014) for entertainment.
Became most-subscribed channel (third span) / surpassed Ray William Johnson
In January 2013 Smosh surpassed Ray William Johnson to become the #1 most-subscribed channel again.
First channel to reach 10 million subscribers (Diamond Award)
Smosh was the first YouTube channel to reach ten million subscribers and received the Diamond Creator Award.
Published Smosh Magazine
2013: Smosh created Smosh Magazine (2 US print editions, 40,000 copies produced plus digital iTunes download).
Food Battle: The Game released (2014 follow-up)
After the successful 2013 Indiegogo, the Food Battle video game (action-RPG inspired by Zelda/Witcher 2) released in 2014.
Released Super Head Esploder X (iOS game)
February 2013: released Super Head Esploder X for iOS; it became the App Store's most downloaded game within its first week.
Launched Indiegogo for 'Food Battle: The Game'
Indiegogo ran from July 22 to Aug 24, 2013 to fund Food Battle: The Game.
Sculptures at Madame Tussauds (duo)
In 2014 Hecox and Padilla were among the first internet personalities to receive Madame Tussauds wax sculptures.
Smosh: The Movie announced / developed
September 18, 2014: A feature-length film starring the duo was announced by AwesomenessFilms.
Smosh.com reached 60 million page views
By December 2014 the Smosh website hit over 60 million page views and ranked highly on Alexa.
Expanded cast (Smosh Squad) hired
In 2015 Smosh hired Noah Grossman, Keith Leak Jr., Olivia Sui, Courtney Miller and Shayne Topp to increase production value.
Launched 'Every [Blank] Ever' series
May 2015: started the popular Every [Blank] Ever sketch series.
Smosh: The Movie released (direct-to-video)
Smosh: The Movie released on July 24, 2015 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (also on Netflix).
Won multiple industry awards (2014–2017 span)
Smosh and Smosh Games won Webby, Streamy and Shorty awards (notable wins: 2014 Streamy - Smosh Games, 2015 Shorty - YouTube Star of the Year, 2016 Webby Gaming).
Launched 'Part Timers' web sitcom
January 2016 launched a scripted web sitcom 'Part Timers' inspired by Ian's Chuck E. Cheese's job.
Participated in 'Smoshtober' programming block
Fall 2016: launched a slate of short-lived web series as part of 'Smoshtober'; occurred around Defy raising $70M that summer.
First major live sketch stream on YouTube
Aug 26, 2016: 90-minute improvisational live sketch show reached ~58,000 concurrent viewers and 1.3M+ views in days.
Barry Blumberg resigned from Defy
March 2017: Barry Blumberg left his position at Defy Media after years associated with Smosh.
Anthony Padilla announced departure from Smosh
June 14, 2017: Padilla left Smosh citing lack of creative freedom; Ian Hecox remained with the brand.
Defy Media shut down abruptly
Nov 6, 2018: Defy Media abruptly closed and laid off all employees, leaving Smosh temporarily independent.
'Smosh is Homeless' update video
Nov 12, 2018: Smosh published an update video stating they were searching for new ownership but would continue releasing content independently.
Acquired by Mythical Entertainment (Rhett & Link)
Feb 22, 2019: Mythical Entertainment acquired Smosh; many cast and crew returned and Smosh created the 'SmoshCast' podcast.
Joined Studio71 network
April 2019: Smosh joined the Studio71 creator network.
Announced first live 'Try Not To Laugh' tour (Feb 2020)
Oct 2019: announced live tour scheduled for Feb 2020 across five cities (Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, Phoenix).
Planned tour impacted by COVID-19 (implied)
Tour announced for Feb 2020 would have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (tour schedule context).
Daniel Tibbets hired as Smosh CEO
October 2021: Daniel Tibbets was hired as Smosh's first CEO under Mythical ownership.
Lesley Wolff hired as director of on-air talent
April 2022: Lesley Wolff joined Smosh as director of on-air talent.
Aired 'Under the Influence' live show
June 30, 2022: Smosh stream 'Under the Influence' featured sketches and segments like 'Try Not To Laugh' while the cast was under the influence.
Joel Rubin appointed EVP of Programming & Content
July 2022: Joel Rubin was hired as Executive VP of Programming and Content.
Aired 'Under the Mistletoe' event
Dec 15, 2022: Smosh hosted a holiday stream event 'Under the Mistletoe'.
Launched subscription-based membership program
Following independence, Smosh launched a membership program offering exclusive videos and live streams to support sketch production.
Alessandra Catanese promoted to CEO
June 2023: Alessandra Catanese (from Padilla's Pressalike) was promoted as CEO of the newly independent Smosh entity; some executives exited.
Ian Hecox & Anthony Padilla repurchased majority stake; Padilla returns
June 20, 2023: Padilla returned and the duo repurchased a majority stake in Smosh from Mythical, re-establishing independence; Mythical retained a minority/advisory role.
First sketch post-reunion: 'WE SUMMONED A DEMON!'
June 30, 2023: Published first reunion sketch after Padilla's return, marking a return to classic sketch format.
Premiere of Bit City (flagship sketch/variety show)
Aug 23, 2024: Bit City premiered as a late-night-style show (flagship for the main channel), shifting focus back to sketch content.
AnthonyPadilla channel rebranded to SmoshAlike
May 5, 2025: Anthony Padilla's channel rebranded to SmoshAlike, integrating PressAlike under the Smosh brand.
Main Smosh channel reach reported (views & subscribers)
As of June 2025 the main Smosh channel has over 11 billion views and over 26 million subscribers.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Smosh and others achieved at these notable ages:
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