Matt Rife reveals how TikTok stopped him from quitting comedy on Jimmy Fallon 'The Tonight Show'

Rife’s comedy path began at the age of 15, thanks to his grandfather, who introduced him to the local comedy scene in Columbus, Ohio. His early start meant he always aimed his humor at adult audiences, which turned out to be an advantage when his youthful novelty wore off in his early 20s.

However, after struggling in the comedy industry for 11 years, including a decade in Los Angeles, Rife faced constant rejection. He couldn’t secure a special or a spot on a TV show, despite multiple attempts, including submissions to The Tonight Show. This brought him to a breaking point, making him question his talent and his place in the comedy world.

Then, his breakthrough arrived. Despite his initial dislike of social media due to its negativity, Rife recognized the need for a change. He reluctantly started posting videos on TikTok at the beginning of 2022. Later that year, an improv comedy show he started with comedian Paul Elia was invited to the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, but without Rife receiving any compensation or travel support. Despite his reservations, he decided to go.

While in Montreal, Rife, feeling down and uncertain, posted an edited video titled “The Lazy Hero” on TikTok which went viral accumulating 20-30 million views over a few days.

This unexpected success led to a Netflix special, “Natural Selection,” set to premiere on November 15. Rife chose the historic Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., as the filming location, following in the footsteps of comedy legends like Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, and Katt Williams.

In addition to the special, Rife announced his “ProbleMATTic World Tour,” which astoundingly sold over 600,000 tickets within its first hour. Despite the rapid ascent to stardom, Rife rejects the notion of being an overnight success, acknowledging his 12 years of hard work and training in the comedy world.