Joseph James Rogan (born August 11, 1967) is an American podcaster, comedian, actor, and mixed martial arts (MMA) color commentator, widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in modern digital media. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Rogan’s upbringing involved several relocations following his parents' divorce when he was five years old. He lived in San Francisco, California, and Gainesville, Florida, before his family settled in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts. He graduated from Newton South High School in 1985 and briefly attended the University of Massachusetts Boston before deciding to focus on a career in entertainment. Rogan’s formative years were defined by his involvement in martial arts. He began practicing karate at age 14 and taekwondo at 15. He was highly successful in the discipline, becoming a Massachusetts full-contact taekwondo champion for four consecutive years and eventually winning the U.S. Open Taekwondo Championship’s lightweight title and Grand Championship at age 19. Rogan has frequently cited martial arts as a foundational element of his life, providing him with confidence and a sense of discipline. Rogan began his career as a stand-up comedian in the Boston area in 1988. After moving to Los Angeles in 1994, he transitioned into acting, landing roles on the Fox sitcom *Hardball* (1994) and subsequently the NBC sitcom *NewsRadio* (1995–1999), where he played Joe Garrelli. In 1997, Rogan began working for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a backstage and post-fight interviewer. His role evolved significantly in 2002 when he became a ringside color commentator, a position he has maintained for more than two decades, cementing his status as a prominent voice in the sport of mixed martial arts. Between 2001 and 2006, Rogan hosted the reality game show *Fear Factor*, which brought him mainstream television fame. He returned to host the show's revival in 2011. While he continued to release stand-up comedy specials, including *Triggered* (2016) and *Strange Times* (2018), his career trajectory shifted dramatically with the 2009 launch of his podcast, *The Joe Rogan Experience* (JRE). Co-created with comedian Brian Redban, the podcast initially started as a grassroots project but grew to become one of the most popular and listened-to programs in the world. The show is known for its long-form, conversational format, featuring a diverse array of guests including scientists, authors, athletes, comedians, and public figures. In 2020, Rogan signed a multi-year exclusive licensing deal with Spotify, valued at a reported $200 million, which significantly increased the podcast’s reach and consolidated its status as a major media entity. Beyond his media career, Rogan has been the subject of both widespread praise for his open, inquisitive approach and criticism regarding his stance on various controversial topics and the views expressed by his guests. In 2020, Rogan relocated from California to Austin, Texas, where he continues to film his podcast and operate his comedy club, Comedy Mothership. He is married to Jessica Ditzel, with whom he has three daughters.