Matthew Steven Rife, born September 10, 1995, in Columbus, Ohio, is an American comedian and actor. He was raised in North Lewisburg, Ohio, by his mother, April Rife, and his grandfather, Steven Rife, after his father passed away when Matt was very young.

Rife first discovered his passion for comedy at age 14 when a teacher announced a high-school talent show. Encouraged by a friend, he performed in that show and, by 15, was doing stand-up professionally across Ohio. He grew up alongside three older stepsisters and one younger half-sister, honing his craft at local clubs and fairs.

In 2015, Rife joined the cast of MTV2’s improv series Wild ’n Out, performing for three seasons. He then appeared on NBC’s comedy competition Bring the Funny in 2019, where he advanced to the semi-final showcase before being eliminated.

Rife has self-produced several stand-up specials—Only Fans (2021), Matthew Steven Rife (2023), and Walking Red Flag (2023)—and in 2023 released two Netflix specials: Natural Selection in November and Lucid: A Crowd Work Special, Netflix’s first crowd-work special.

Beyond stand-up, he’s appeared in television and film, with guest roles on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fresh Off the Boat, and in the slasher film Black Pumpkin (2018). In December 2022, Rife signed with Creative Artists Agency, further expanding his creative opportunities.

Currently on his “ProbleMATTic World Tour,” one of the fastest-selling comedy tours of 2024, Rife continues to sell out venues nationwide. He’s also set to publish his memoir, Your Mom’s Gonna Love Me, in December 2024.

Residing in Los Angeles, Rife is open about his experiences with depression and anxiety—topics he addresses candidly in his specials. With over 19 million TikTok followers and a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2024, Matthew Steven Rife has firmly established himself as a leading voice in modern comedy.