Matt Rife is one of the most controversial names in standup comedy. The former Wild 'n Out cast member parlayed early success on MTV into sitcom roles on Fresh Off the Boat and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, before blowing up on TikTok with his edgy comedy routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rife's two Netflix specials, Natural Selection and Lucid: A Crowd Work Special, faced considerable backlash for jokes about taboo subject matter - including domestic violence - but his popularity only increased in the wake of social media debate. (Rife strenuously denied that his jokes meant that he is a "supporter of domestic violence.") "For 11 straight years, I woke up pretty much every single day with nothing to do unless I created something to do," he told Us Weekly exclusively in August 2024. "Now, I wake up and go, 'Wow, I don't know if I'll ever have a free day for the rest of my life,' which is a blessing and a curse." Katie Maloney Says Matt Rife Almost Appeared on 'Pump Rules' He went on, "I don't ever want to be bored ever again - that used to drive me absolutely insane - [and] there's nothing worse than your phone not ringing, but every now and then, I'm like, 'OK, am I ever going to get a chance to enjoy the house I just bought?'" Keep scrolling for a look at some ups and downs from Rife's career: $50 Million Income Forbes ranked Rife as one of the Top 10 Content Creators of 2025 for making $50 million dollars from his Netflix specials and various other projects. Rife's very successful 2025 included sold-out comedy shows around the world and several film projects. He appeared in the indie horror thriller I Live Here Now, and landed a costarring role with Owen Wilson in the upcoming comedy Rolling Loud. The 2026 movie - which also features The Kid Laroi, Sexyy Red and Ty Dolla $ign - is loosely inspired by the true story of an overprotective dad who agrees to sneak his 13-year-old son into Miami's Rolling Loud music festival as a bonding experience. Joke Backlash Rife endured a significant backlash for a joke in his 2023 Netflix special, Natural Selection, about domestic violence. The joke centered around Rife's friend questioning why a diner waitress with a black eye wasn't working in the kitchen so customers wouldn't see her wound. "Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye," Rife quipped. Matt Rife in January 2025. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Domestic violence prevention advocates objected to the joke and demanded a public apology. The comedian told Us in December 2024 that he had no regrets about the joke despite offending some viewers. "It's comedy. Sometimes you don't hit the mark. Plenty of people think I did," he explained. "Therefore, it's not a failure." Rife later insisted, "It's inevitable [people will be offended] with almost any comedian. We're in the business of making people happy, but I gotta be me." Dating Kate Beckinsale Rife dated the Underworld actress for a year after they initially connected in 2017. Following their split, he made headlines for commenting on Beckinsale's short-lived romance with Pete Davidson. (Beckinsale and Davidson split in April 2019 after dating for four months.) "Enjoy it while you can," he told Davidson on TMZ Live in 2019. "I hope they're both happy, I hope that it can build to where it's an established, good relationship. I wish them both the best. I hope they're happy. I don't really have any solid advice, just be careful." In September 2023, Rife expressed regret for addressing Beckinsale's new relationship with Davidson since there were no hard feelings between them. Who Are Matt Rife's Parents? Details on the Comedian's Family "I gave that advice because I was only speaking from personal experience, having been together and finding out that we weren't the most compatible match," he told Elle. "I wanted to make sure that both of them were careful with their emotions and didn't head into something that they also wouldn't, that also wouldn't work out." There were reports in January 2025 that Rife and Beckinsale may have reconnected at the Golden Globes afterparty, though a source confirmed to Us that they'd only had a friendly chat. "They are friendly exes having fun conversations and laughing having a good time," an insider clarified to Us. Living the Dream Speaking to Us ahead of his second Netflix comedy special, Lucid: A Crowd Work Special, in August 2024, Rife said he'd already been successful beyond his wildest dreams. "The dream I had was, OK, if I could just sell out weekends at comedy clubs for 300-seat venues, I f***ing made it," Rife explained. "The level of being a Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Katt Williams - these arena acts [and] top-tier entertainers - never even occurred to me. I'm from f***ing Ohio, it doesn't really seem fitting." He continued, "I'm super happy to get to work with [Netflix] in any capacity really, but to work with them on something that has been so natural and niche to me, and to what I do, is really