Matt Rife Talks About Overnight-ish Success on The Tonight Show- Rejects, and a Viral TikTok

Posted by Sebrina Pilcher on Thursday, May 2, 2024

Matt Rife’s rise to fame was more akin to a ten-year ride on a rollercoaster in the glittering world of comedy, where rejection is as common as punchlines.

Rife opened up on Wednesday’s Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon about his journey, which resulted in a Netflix special and a completely booked global tour.

.@mattrife spent 12 years working in the comedy industry before his clips on TikTok went viral and turned him into an overnight sensation. #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/CXRzkbIc7C

— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 9, 2023

Rife’s grandpa made the brilliant decision to introduce him to the local comedy scene in Columbus, Ohio, which launched his comedic career at the age of 15.

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A post shared by Matt Rife (@mattrife)

Though most teenagers were avoiding algebra, Rife was writing jokes for adults. Advantageous? Absolutely! Until his early 20s rolled around, and the ‘young and fresh’ appeal started to fade faster than a knock-knock joke’s punchline.

Los Angeles, the comedy battleground, became Rife’s stomping ground for a decade, marked by more rejections than a reality TV show pitch. The tipping point? No special, no TV spot, no dice. But wait, cue the TikTok twist!

Social media skeptic Rife, begrudgingly joined TikTok in 2022, hoping for a laugh, maybe a chuckle. Little did he know, it would be his ticket out of comedy purgatory.

An improv show with Paul Elia snagged an invite to the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, sans any cash or travel support. Challenge accepted!

Montreal, the city of bagels and unexpected breakthroughs, witnessed Rife’s mood-lifting TikTok drop. “The Lazy Hero” went viral quicker than a cat video on a caffeine high, racking up 20-30 million views in days. Suddenly, the comedy gods decided it was Rife’s time to shine.

Netflix and ‘Natural Selection’

Netflix took notice, offering him a special titled “Natural Selection,” set to premiere on November 15.

Choosing the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in D.C. as the backdrop, Rife follows in the footsteps of legends, proving that comedy gold can be mined from unexpected places.

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A post shared by Matt Rife (@mattrife)

But the laughter didn’t stop there. Rife, probably still in shock, announced his “ProbleMATTic World Tour,” which promptly sold over 600,000 tickets in an hour. Overnight success? Rife laughs in the face of that notion, acknowledging the 12-year hustle that laid the groundwork for his comedy coup.

🎤🌎 JUST ANNOUNCED Matt Rife: ProbleMATTic World Tour is coming to a city near you! @mattrife
🎟️ Public onsale begins Friday at 10am local on https://t.co/3FcP7qdJXQ pic.twitter.com/kgol2d2rsp

— Live Nation Comedy (@LiveNationCmdy) June 5, 2023

In an industry where rejection is as common as puns in a stand-up routine, Matt Rife’s story is a reminder that sometimes, success is just a viral video away.

From TikTok trials to Netflix triumph, Rife’s journey is a hilarious testament to the unpredictability of showbiz and the power of embracing change, one TikTok at a time.

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