Matt Rife is an American comedian and actor who rose to fame in his late teens and early 20s. He had an interesting childhood that shaped his future career in entertainment. This article will provide an in-depth look at Matt’s upbringing, family life, activities, and experiences growing up.
Where Did Matt Rife Grow Up?
Matt was born on September 18, 1995 in Columbus, Ohio. He spent most of his childhood years living in the Columbus metro area.
Some key details about his upbringing:
- Lived in the Columbus neighborhood of Clintonville
- Attended private schools from kindergarten through 12th grade
- Remained in the Columbus area with his family even after gaining fame
So although Matt now lives in Los Angeles for his career, he considers central Ohio his hometown.
What Was Matt Rife’s Family Like?
Matt was raised primarily by his mother along with his two older brothers. His parents divorced when he was young.
Here is an overview of Matt’s family:
- Mother: Amy Rife – raised Matt and his siblings as a single working mom
- Father: Unknown – not involved much in Matt’s upbringing after the divorce
- Brothers: Tyler Rife and Michael Rife – both are older than Matt
By all accounts, Amy Rife was a loving and supportive mom. Matt remains close with his family even after becoming a star.
Matt Rife’s Chidhood Activities & Experiences
Even from a young age, Matt showed a personality suited for entertainment and comedy. He was outgoing, humorous, and drew attention from peers.
Schools Matt Rife Attended
Matt attended several private schools in the Columbus area for kindergarten through 12th grade:
- Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: St. Catharine School
- 3rd Grade – 8th Grade: St. Charles Preparatory School
- 9th Grade – 12 Grade: Columbus Alternative High School
Matt played basketball and participated in improv comedy in middle school and high school. He also took theater classes during his childhood education years.
Key Memories with Friends
Although details are unclear, Matt likely had many formative memories with school friends during childhood – parties, school dances, extracurricular activities, and more typical kid/teen experiences.
Early Signs of Comedic Talent
Even before becoming nationally famous, Matt showed a knack for making people laugh during his formative years:
- Class clown: Matt was known for being the funny, goofy kid in school
- Pranking friends & family: He would often pull lighthearted pranks and stunts to get attention
- Impressions: During childhood he learned to do impressions of celebrities which is still part of his act
Jobs and Income Before Fame
Most teenagers have part-time jobs or side hustles to earn spending money. Matt Rife found ways to make cash too:
- Reportedly had a paper route for income at age 11
- Later worked retail jobs to support his early stand-up comedy career
So Matt understood from an early age the value of work and making your own money.
Matt Rife’s Path to Fame
Matt was just over 20 years old when he started gaining serious fame and success. But his childhood experiences clearly put him on the path towards an entertainment career from an early age.
Early Interest in Stand-Up Comedy
Even though it’s highly unconventional for kids and teens, Matt took an interest in stand-up comedy in his mid-teens:
| Age | Comedy Milestone |
|---|---|
| 15 | Wrote first stand-up joke |
| 16 | Performed first stand-up set at amateur event |
| 18 | Competed in regional stand-up competitions |
During his late teens, Matt started regularly performing at clubs in Columbus and gaining experience on stage telling jokes.
Moving to Los Angeles
Right after finishing high school, Matt moved to Los Angeles. Most aspiring entertainers head west to LA or New York City to chase their dreams.
At just age 18 in 2013, Matt made the leap and left his hometown behind for the bright lights of Hollywood.
Why LA?
- Wanted to pursue stand-up comedy career full-time
- More opportunities for untested comedians
- Could work as writer or actor as well
Within 18 months, he started landing major opportunities.
Matt Rife’s Big Break with MTV’s Wild ‘N Out
Matt Rife was a virtual unknown when he auditioned for Season 8 of MTV’s hip hop improv comedy series Wild ‘N Out in 2015.
But his stand-up comedy chops and improvisation skills impressed host Nick Cannon and the producers. Matt was hired for the new season of the hit show.
Benefits from Wild ‘N Out Fame
Appearing on MTV provided massive benefits for the barely 20-year old’s career:
- National TV exposure to millions of viewers
- Gained publicity and credibility almost instantly
- Allowed him to grow his fanbase rapidly
- Opened doors across entertainment industry
Matt took full advantage to launch his multifaceted and still rising career in Hollywood.
What is Matt Rife Doing Now?
While Matt isn’t yet a household name on par with major movie stars, he continues to build his entertainment career in his late 20s. He leveraged his childhood experiences and early fame to expand his opportunities.
Current Career Activities
Matt remains active and popular in several domains of show business:
- Stand-up comedy: Still headlines national comedy tours and pop-up shows
- Acting: Has appeared in movies and TV shows after Wild ‘N Out
- Hosting: Hosts Facebook weekly sports show Yacht or Nyacht
- Podcasting: Co-hosts relationship podcast Dated with girlfriend Carly Lawrence
Matt also has a highly popular Instagram account with nearly 850K followers.
His career continues trending upwards. So look for even bigger things ahead for Matt Rife.
SERP Questions on Matt Rife’s Childhood
Where did Matt Rife grow up as a kid?
Matt grew up in Columbus, Ohio primarily in the metro area neighborhood of Clintonville. He lived there with his mother and brothers after his parents split up early in his life.
What schools did young Matt Rife attend?
For kindergarten through 12th grade Matt attend several private schools in Columbus:
- St. Catharine School
- St. Charles Preparatory School
- Columbus Alternative High School
He reportedly played basketball and did improv comedy during the school years before focusing on stand-up comedy and acting.
How old was Matt Rife when he moved to Los Angeles?
In 2013 shortly after finishing high school, 18-year old Matt moved from his Ohio hometown to Los Angeles. He wanted to pursue comedy and acting full-time and take advantage of more opportunities for unproven talents.
Did Matt Rife have jobs as a kid?
Yes. He has mentioned working a paper route at age 11 to earn money. In his mid-teens Matt began working various retail jobs. The early work experiences helped instill a solid work ethic and financial literacy from a young age.
How did Matt Rife get discovered as a comedian?
Matt Rife worked the stand-up comedy circuit in Los Angeles after moving from Ohio. He performed at amateur events and clubs while likely struggling to get by.
His big break came in 2015 when he auditioned successfully for Season 8 of Nick Cannon’s comedy improv show Wild ‘N Out on MTV. The national exposure made him famous virtually overnight before age 21.
Conclusion
In summary, Matt Rife had a fairly normal American childhood growing up in Ohio with his family. He displayed natural talents and tendencies fitting for a future career in show business and comedy from a young age.
The support structure provided by his mother Amy and education at private schools gave Matt opportunities to nurture his innate abilities. Moving to Los Angeles less than two weeks removed from high school graduation showed immense ambition.
Gaining fame with MTV’s Wild ‘N Out provided the rocket fuel to launch a multifaceted entertainment career while still in his early 20s. Now approaching 30, Matt continues to thrive in Hollywood across stand-up comedy, acting, hosting, podcasting, and social media.
Expect even greater things ahead in the career of Matt Rife as he leverages the lessons, skills, connections, and resilience built during his childhood. His experiences and support system growing up shaped a talented performer. Hard work and great timing enabled his ascent to fame.
Matt Rife remains a rising star and household name in the making.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Matt Rife’s Upbringing
Still have questions about Matt Rife’s childhood and path to fame? Here are answers to 5 of the most common FAQs:
What did Matt Rife want to be when he grew up?
From an early age, Matt had aspirations of being an entertainer. As a kid, he envisioned himself becoming either a famous stand-up comedian or actor. So while unconventional, Matt fulfilled common childhood dreams of fame and celebrity even if comedy was an unlikely path for most.
Did Matt Rife have many friends as a kid?
Most accounts indicate Matt was relatively popular and enjoyed friendships during childhood despite changing schools multiple times from grades 3 through 12. His funny, outgoing personality attracted peers though he surely faced typical kid politics and shifts within social groups and cliques during adolescence.
What college did Matt Rife attend?
None. Matt opted against attending college after finishing high school in Ohio at age 18. He was laser focused on chasing his dreams of show business fame and moved to Los Angeles less than two weeks after graduation. So while risky, the decision paid off in the long run.
Is Matt Rife still close to his family?
Yes, by all accounts Matt remains very close to his mother Amy and two older brothers Tyler and Michael. He has shared loving tributes to his mom even after achieving fame and fortune. The support Matt received from family undoubtedly gave him a foundation for confidence and resilience required to “make it” in Hollywood against long odds.
What is Matt Rife’s net worth?
Estimates placed Matt’s current net worth at around $2 million. While substantial, that figure still seems low for someone of his current fame and earning potential in his late 20s. Expect his net worth to steadily rise assuming he remains hard working and opportunities keep unfolding at a brisk pace. He could likely reach $10M+ in personal wealth in his 30s or 40s.
Hopefully this comprehensive analysis helps answer any outstanding questions around comedian Matt Rife’s childhood leading up to fame and success in entertainment. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
