Who Is Nate Bargatze? 7 Things You Didn’t Know About the Comedian

Nate Bargatze isn’t your typical loud, over-the-top comedian. He doesn’t need to shout or shock to make people laugh. His calm, easygoing style and clever storytelling have quietly made him one of the best stand-up comedians out there today. And the cool part? His jokes hit with everyone — from teens to grandparents. That’s rare in comedy, where most comics rely on edgy or controversial stuff.

Bargatze’s clean, family-friendly humor has become his secret weapon. While others chase viral moments or drama, Nate’s building something way more lasting — genuine connection. His Netflix specials, sold-out comedy tours, and hilarious podcast have all helped his popularity skyrocket on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok.

But here’s what’s really interesting — Nate Bargatze’s story goes deeper than just laughs. His rise in the comedy world is all about timing, consistency, and good old Southern charm. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering him through Netflix or YouTube Shorts, here are 7 things you probably didn’t know about Nate Bargatze — the comedian who’s quietly dominating the stand-up scene.

1. Nate Bargatze Was Born and Raised in Tennessee

Nate Bargatze, whose full name is Nathanael Bargatze, was born on March 25, 1979, right in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. And honestly, you can feel that Southern charm in everything he does. Growing up in the South shaped his whole vibe — from the way he tells stories to his easy, laid-back delivery on stage. His Tennessee roots are basically his comedy DNA.

That smooth Southern accent, the dry humor, those funny little self-burns about small-town life — it’s all real. While a lot of comedians move on from their hometowns, Nate never really left Tennessee behind. He actually brings it into his jokes all the time, which makes his sets feel so personal and relatable.

He started out at DuPont Elementary before heading to Donelson Christian Academy (DCA), a private school in Nashville. When college rolled around, he went to Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tennessee — sticking close to home like a true Southern guy. Later, he gave Western Kentucky University a shot but eventually dropped out (classic comedian move, right?).

After building a successful career in stand-up comedy, performing on Netflix, and selling out comedy tours, Nate found his way back to where it all started — Nashville. Now he lives there with his family, still keeping that same humble, grounded energy that fans love.

2. Nate Bargatze’s Father Was a Clown and Magician

Nate Bargatze comes from a pretty unique and entertaining family background. His parents, Stephen and Carol Bargatze, both played a big role in shaping who he is today — especially his dad. Here’s the wild part a lot of fans don’t know: Nate’s father, Stephen Bargatze, wasn’t just a regular dad. He actually worked as a professional clown and magician! Yep, you read that right. He even became a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, which is kind of a big deal in the magic world.

Growing up around that kind of energy — the shows, the laughter, the audiences — it’s no surprise Nate ended up in entertainment too. But instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, he chose the mic. That early exposure to live crowds definitely helped him get comfortable performing and reading a room, which shows in his calm, confident stand-up comedy style today.

Before he became a Netflix-famous comedian, Nate was grinding just like everyone else. When he first moved to New York City, he worked as a barker at the Boston Comedy Club, basically standing outside trying to get people to come in. The deal was simple — he promoted the shows during the day, and in return, he got free stage time at night. That hustle not only sharpened his timing but also proved that his laid-back, clean comedy could win over even the toughest NYC crowds.

Now, that’s what you call paying your dues — from clown roots to comedy king.

3. Nate Bargatze Started His Career in New York City

Even though Nate Bargatze is proudly Southern to his core, chasing his dream meant stepping way outside his comfort zone. To really make it in stand-up comedy, he packed up and moved to New York City — the place where every big comedian has to prove themselves sooner or later.

Like most people chasing their dreams in the city, Nate had to grind hard just to get by. Before anyone knew his name from Netflix or sold-out comedy tours, he was doing all kinds of odd jobs — working as a FedEx delivery driver, dog walker, and even a barker outside comedy clubs just to earn stage time. Basically, he hustled all day so he could tell jokes for free at night.

It wasn’t glamorous at all. For the first year, Nate didn’t even have a paying gig as a comedian. He’d perform for tiny crowds — sometimes less than ten people — but he kept showing up. That consistency, that “keep going even when no one’s watching” attitude, is what shaped his success later on.

After about four years of grinding it out, things finally started to click. His slow climb through the New York comedy scene led to real gigs, recognition, and eventually, national exposure. Today, that same guy who once handed out flyers on the sidewalk is headlining massive stand-up tours and streaming specials on Netflix. Not bad for a kid from Tennessee, right?

4. Nate Bargatze Was Part of Jimmy Fallon’s Clean Cut Comedy Tour

Nate Bargatze’s big break came thanks to one of the biggest names in late-night TV — Jimmy Fallon. Back in 2013, Fallon discovered Nate’s smooth, clean comedy style and instantly became a fan. Fallon has always appreciated comedians who can make people laugh without going overboard, and Nate fit that perfectly.

That same year, Fallon invited him to perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and let’s just say — Nate crushed it. His calm delivery, clever jokes, and relatable stories stood out in a world full of loud, edgy comics. Audiences loved him, and Fallon clearly did too, because Nate became one of his go-to guests, appearing on the show multiple times.

But that wasn’t all. Fallon took things a step further by including Nate in his Clean Cut Comedy Tour, a big move that gave Bargatze national exposure. Later on, Fallon even produced one of Nate’s stand-up albums, which helped him reach an even wider audience through streaming platforms and TV appearances.

That collaboration with Jimmy Fallon turned out to be a major turning point — it pushed Nate from being a respected New York club comic to one of the most recognized clean comedians in America.

5. He Had His Breakthrough With Netflix

Nate Bargatze’s persistence finally paid off — big time — in 2017. After grinding for fifteen long years since his professional debut in 2002, his career took a massive leap forward thanks to Netflix.

That year, Netflix launched The Standups, a 30-minute comedy series designed to showcase up-and-coming comics who deserved a bigger spotlight. Nate appeared in the very first episode — and let’s just say, he didn’t waste that moment. His clean, family-friendly comedy and smooth Southern delivery instantly clicked with audiences. He wasn’t trying too hard, wasn’t edgy — just funny, real, and relatable.

Nate has even admitted that this was the turning point — the moment everything changed. After The Standups, his career literally blew up overnight. More people discovered his comedy, and soon after, Netflix gave him full-length specials like The Tennessee Kid and The Greatest Average American, both of which became huge hits.

And he didn’t stop there. Nate took his talent to Amazon Prime Video with his special Hello World, proving he could crush it on any platform. From small clubs in New York to streaming on Netflix and Amazon, Nate Bargatze became one of the most-loved clean comedians in America — proof that you don’t need to be edgy to be funny.

6. Nate Bargatze is a Husband and Father

Nate Bargatze might make millions of people laugh, but at home, he’s just a family guy through and through. He married his longtime love, Laura Baines, on October 13, 2006 — way before he became the Netflix-famous comedian we know today. Back then, Nate wasn’t performing on big stages or selling out tours. He was just a regular guy chasing a dream and working hard to make it happen.

Funny enough, Nate and Laura actually met in their early 20s while working at Applebee’s in Nashville. Yep, before the comedy specials and TV appearances, he was serving up burgers and laughs at a neighborhood restaurant. Their love story is about as real and humble as it gets.

Together, they have one daughter, Harper Blair Bargatze, who Nate often mentions in his routines. And fans love it — his family stories add this warm, relatable touch to his clean comedy. Despite his success, Nate’s always been about keeping things grounded. Even after he started making waves in stand-up, he decided to move back home to Nashville so his wife and daughter could be close to family and friends.

For Nate, fame’s cool, but family’s everything. His life off stage — filled with love, laughter, and dad jokes — is what keeps his comedy so real and refreshing.

7. Nate Bargatze Was the Highest-grossing Stand-up Comic in 2024

Nate Bargatze has officially proved that clean comedy can be both hilarious and wildly successful. His rise from small-town Nashville, Tennessee, to the big stages of New York and Los Angeles is pure proof that you don’t need shock value to make people laugh — just real stories, good timing, and heart.

Over the years, Nate’s calm delivery and relatable humor have turned him into one of the most respected names in stand-up comedy, but 2024 was the year everything hit another level. That year, Pollstar named him the highest-grossing stand-up comedian, with an insane 1.1 million tickets sold across 148 shows, pulling in more than $82 million. That’s not just impressive — that’s historic.

And if that wasn’t big enough, by 2025, Nate was tapped to host the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, officially marking his crossover from comedy clubs to Hollywood’s biggest stage. Not bad for a guy who started out passing out flyers in New York for free stage time, right?

But here’s the thing — for Nate, it’s never just about fame or money. He’s always been about gratitude and giving back. A perfect example? He donated a massive $1.15 million to his old school, Donelson Christian Academy, to help build a new indoor athletic facility. That move shows exactly who he is — humble, thankful, and always paying it forward.

From Netflix specials and sold-out tours to inspiring the next generation of clean comics, Nate Bargatze is living proof that success doesn’t have to come with controversy. Just authenticity, hard work, and a good sense of humor.