Bert Kreischer is an American stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster, and TV host, best known for his wild, high‑energy storytelling style and his nickname “The Machine”.

Who is Bert Kreischer?

Bert Kreischer (full name Albert Kreischer) was born on November 3, 1972, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He became famous in the late 1990s after being featured in Rolling Stone magazine as the “Number One Partier in the Nation” while he was a student at Florida State University, where he was in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. That story later inspired the 2002 comedy film Van Wilder , though Kreischer himself didn’t play the lead role.

He’s often called “The Machine” because of his larger-than-life, party‑crazed persona and his signature story about a wild college trip to Russia that became the basis of his most famous stand‑up bit and later a movie.

What does he do?

Bert Kreischer is mainly a stand‑up comedian, but he’s built a big career across several areas:

  • Stand‑up comedy
    He tours the world doing sold‑out arena shows, often with his “Tops Off World Tour” and similar big tours. His comedy is built around long, outrageous stories from his life — like the infamous Russian mob trip, wild college days, and his life as a husband and dad — told in a very energetic, loud, and self‑deprecating way.
  • Podcasting
    He hosts the popular podcast Bertcast , where he talks with comedians, actors, and other guests about life, comedy, and personal stories. He also co‑hosts the hit comedy podcast Two Bears, One Cave with fellow comedian Tom Segura, which is one of the top comedy podcasts globally.
  • TV and film
    He’s appeared in TV shows and movies, including voice work on The Loud House and hosting reality/travel shows like Trip Flip on the Travel Channel and The Cabin with Bert Kreischer. In 2023, he starred in and produced the comedy film The Machine , based on his famous Russian mob story, released by Sony Pictures.
  • YouTube and social media
    He runs the YouTube cooking show Something’s Burning , where he cooks with guests in a chaotic, funny style. Across platforms, he has tens of millions of followers and hundreds of millions of video views.

Why is he popular?

Bert’s appeal comes from his relatable, “man‑child” persona — a funny, loud, slightly out‑of‑control guy who’s also a devoted family man. Fans love his long, wild stories that feel like a friend telling a crazy tale at a party, and he’s known for being very open about his struggles with addiction, marriage, and fatherhood.

He’s also a major figure in the modern comedy podcast world and has a huge live following, making him one of the top‑grossing stand‑up comics in the U.S..

Bottom line:
Bert Kreischer is a stand‑up comedian turned multimedia star — famous for his wild stories, podcasts, and the movie The Machine — who built a career around being a loud, funny, party‑loving “Machine” with a surprisingly heartfelt side.