Nate Bargatze has steadily become one of the most recognizable names in stand-up comedy. Known for his clean style, laid-back delivery, and ability to make everyday observations genuinely funny, he has attracted audiences across the world. While many fans admire his comedy, others are also curious about personal details such as Nate Bargatze’s height, background, career journey, and family life. This article takes an in-depth look at the comedian, exploring both his physical profile and the long road that brought him to international success.
Nate Bargatze’s Height and Physical Profile
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm)
- Weight: 187 lbs (85 kg)
- Age: 45 (Born March 25, 1979)
- Profession: Stand-up Comedian
- Hometown: Old Hickory, Tennessee
While Nate Bargatze’s height might not be the most significant aspect of his career, it is a detail fans often look up when learning more about their favorite performers. Standing at 5’8″, he has an approachable, everyman presence that complements his relatable comedic style. His weight and appearance further contribute to the grounded, down-to-earth persona that has become his trademark.
Early Life and Family Background
Nate Bargatze was born Nathanael Bargatze in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in a Christian household with two siblings. His father, Stephen Bargatze, had an unusual career path—first aiming to become a preacher before later working as a motivational speaker, clown, and magician. Nate’s mother, Carol, worked in the Vanderbilt Commodores’ ticket office.
From an early age, Nate was surrounded by entertainment. His father practiced magic tricks with him, and Nate participated in church skits when he was just 11 years old. He attended Donelson Christian Academy, where he competed in sports but didn’t particularly stand out as an athlete. Despite setbacks, he graduated in 1997.
After high school, Nate tried college but struggled academically, eventually dropping out of Western Kentucky University. During this time, he held various jobs, including construction work, selling cellphones, and waiting tables. It was while working as a meter reader for a water company that he and a co-worker, Michael Clay, decided to pursue comedy.
The Decision to Pursue Comedy
Bargatze’s path to stand-up wasn’t straightforward. Inspired by The Bob & Tom Show, he began performing open mic nights in the early 2000s. His parents supported his decision, attending his first open mic. In 2002, he moved to Chicago to attend The Second City, but quickly realized improv wasn’t his strength. Instead, he studied stand-up at Jim Rauth’s Comedy College.
By 2004, he relocated to New York City. To make ends meet, he worked day jobs—including FedEx delivery and dog walking—while handing out flyers for stage time at the Boston Comedy Club. During this period, he encountered some of the industry’s biggest names, including Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr, who would influence his own comedic journey.
Breakthrough Years in Comedy
Bargatze’s first major turning point came in 2008 when he appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and showcased his talent at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. He also toured with the USO, performing for American troops overseas.
In 2010, he won both the New York Comedy Festival and the Boston Comedy Festival, cementing his reputation as a rising comic. A year later, his Comedy Central special marked his entry into a broader audience.
In 2012, he released his first album, Yelled At By A Clown, which hit No. 2 on Billboard’s comedy chart. His career gained further traction when Jimmy Fallon included him in the Clean Cut Comedy Tour in 2013, highlighting his reputation as a family-friendly performer.
Return to Nashville and National Attention
After years in Los Angeles, Bargatze returned to his home state of Tennessee in 2014. This move was partly for his family and partly because he preferred Nashville’s environment over Hollywood. Even though he worried people would assume he quit comedy, his career trajectory only grew stronger.
In 2015, Comedy Central released his hour-long special Full Time Magic. That same year, he began earning recognition for his distinct comedic style—deadpan, slow-paced, and always “clean” without relying on profanity or shock humor.
Netflix and Widespread Recognition
The true breakthrough came in 2017 with Netflix’s The Standups. His half-hour special introduced him to millions of viewers. Two years later, his special The Tennessee Kid cemented him as a major name in the comedy world. Critics praised his observational style, and Forbes named it the best comedy special of 2019.
He followed up with The Greatest Average American in 2021, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album, and Hello World in 2023, which set streaming records on Amazon Prime Video.
By 2024, Bargatze had become the highest-grossing comedian in the world, selling over 1 million tickets and generating $82 million in revenue across 148 shows.
Recent Career Highlights
- SNL Hosting: Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live twice, in October 2023 and October 2024. His sketches, including a George Washington parody, drew national attention.
- Record Attendance: In April 2023, he performed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena before a crowd of nearly 20,000, breaking the venue’s attendance record.
- Christmas Special: In December 2024, he released Your Friend, Nate Bargatze on Netflix.
- Film and Awards: In 2025, he announced his first feature film, The Breadwinner, set to release in 2026, and hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Style of Comedy
Nate Bargatze’s humor has been described as clean, observational, and deadpan. Unlike many comics who rely on political commentary or controversial material, Bargatze avoids divisive topics. Instead, he focuses on universal experiences—family life, marriage, parenting, and everyday awkward moments.
He has cited Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin, Brian Regan, Bob Newhart, and Bill Cosby as influences. His ability to craft humor from ordinary situations has allowed him to reach diverse audiences, from comedy club fans to mainstream television viewers.
Nate Bargatze’s Personal Life
Bargatze married Laura Blair on October 13, 2006. They met while working at Applebee’s in Nashville and later built a life together in Tennessee. The couple has one daughter. Despite his fame, Bargatze maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on family and faith.
A practicing Christian, he has spoken about his values but avoids branding his comedy as “faith-based,” preferring to let his work appeal broadly. He has also been candid about his past struggles with alcohol, which he quit in 2018 to focus fully on his career and family.
Nate Bargatze’s Net Worth and House
By 2025, Nate Bargatze’s success in touring, streaming specials, and television appearances contributed to an estimated net worth in the multi-million range. Reports have placed him among the top earners in stand-up, especially after his record-setting 2024 tour. He lives in Nashville, where he has invested in property and community projects, including funding an athletic facility at his former school.
Tours and Upcoming Events
Bargatze continues to tour extensively, including stops across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. His UK tour in 2025 includes performances in London and Glasgow, highlighting his growing international appeal. Fans continue to follow updates on ticket sales, upcoming specials, and live events.
Nate Bargatze’s Influence on Comedy
Nate Bargatze represents a rare success story in modern stand-up: a comedian who has become wildly popular without relying on controversy or shock value. His ability to connect with audiences while keeping his material clean has made him stand out in a crowded comedy field.
His career also demonstrates persistence—working small clubs, handing out flyers, and performing in front of tiny crowds before becoming one of the top touring comedians in the world.
Conclusion
Nate Bargatze’s height may be 5’8″, but his stature in the comedy world is much larger. From his beginnings in Nashville to setting attendance records and hosting major television events, Bargatze has built a career defined by relatability, clean humor, and perseverance. At 45 years old, he continues to expand his career into new areas, including film, while maintaining the everyman charm that first made audiences connect with him.
FAQs
- What is Nate Bargatze’s height?
Nate Bargatze stands at 5’8″ (173 cm), with a weight of 187 lbs (85 kg). - Who is Nate Bargatze married to?
Nate Bargatze is married to Laura Blair, whom he met while both were working at Applebee’s in Nashville. - Where is Nate Bargatze from?
Nate Bargatze hails from Old Hickory, Tennessee, and still resides in Nashville with his wife and daughter. - What makes Nate Bargatze’s comedy unique?
Nate Bargatze is known for his clean, deadpan humor, focusing on family life and everyday situations with relatable comedy. - When did Nate Bargatze achieve major success?
Nate Bargatze gained widespread recognition after his Netflix special The Tennessee Kid and became the highest-grossing comic in 2024.
