Rhett McLaughlin: The YouTube Legend With A Heart Of Gold

How Much is Rhett McLaughlin Worth?

Alright, folks, let’s talk about Rhett McLaughlin, the YouTube icon who’s made millions laugh and earned a net worth of $20 million in the process. Rhett, along with his long-time buddy Link Neal, is the brains behind the YouTube powerhouse Rhett and Link. These two have built an empire centered around their wildly popular show, Good Mythical Morning. Together, they’ve become two of the most successful and highest-paid YouTubers in the world. In 2020 alone, they raked in a staggering $20 million. That’s right, $20 million! And if that’s not impressive enough, their company, Mythical Entertainment Co., employs over 100 people. They even run a fan club where fans pay $10-20 per month to access exclusive content. Talk about dedication to their audience!

From the Playground to the Big Screen

Let’s rewind the clock a bit and talk about Rhett’s early days. Born in Macon, Georgia, in October 1977, Rhett met his future collaborator, Link Neal, on the very first day of first grade at Buies Creek Elementary School in 1984. His family had just moved from Macon, Georgia, to Buies Creek, North Carolina, when fate intervened. The two became fast friends after being punished for writing swear words on their desks. Instead of sulking, they bonded over drawing mythical creatures like unicorns—creatures that would later inspire the name of their iconic YouTube show, Good Mythical Morning.

As kids, Rhett and Link were already dreaming big. At 14, they wrote a screenplay called "Gutless Wonders" and even started filming it, though they never finished. Years later, they revisited the script during episodes of Good Mythical Morning. In high school, they created a 25-minute parody of the story of Oedipus Rex, with Rhett playing Oedipus and Link as his father’s servant. They also formed a punk rock band called The Wax Paper Dogz. Rhett even holds a record at his old high school for scoring the most three-pointers in a single basketball season—77 to be exact.

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Rhett attended North Carolina State University in 1996, where he majored in civil engineering and graduated magna cum laude in December 2000. He worked briefly at Black & Veatch after college but eventually left to focus on their YouTube channel full-time. It’s safe to say that engineering lost a great mind, but the world gained two incredible entertainers.

Rhett and Link: Pioneers of YouTube Comedy

Not long after college, Rhett and Link made the bold decision to quit their engineering jobs and dive headfirst into the world of YouTube. Today, at 46 and 45 respectively, they’re considered the original YouTube stars. Their daily show, Good Mythical Morning, has become a staple for fans around the globe. Whether they’re eating Cheetos-flavored Pop-Tarts or testing out bizarre new products, Rhett and Link keep their audience entertained and engaged.

It all started with their first viral video, "Wolfpack or Tarheels?" uploaded in 2006. The video featured Rhett’s then-three-year-old son, Locke McLaughlin, crying over the loss of the NC State Wolfpack. YouTube wanted to feature it on their homepage, but Rhett and Link requested that one of their comedic songs be highlighted instead. They wanted to be known for their humor, not just a viral moment. After some hiccups, the video was uploaded to their channel, Rhett & Link, where it gained massive traction.

Rhett and Link officially joined YouTube on September 18, 2008. By January 2020, their channel had amassed over 6 billion views and more than 16 million subscribers. They describe their channel as a place where they eat unbelievable things, explore surprising trends, compete in original games with celebrity guests, and conduct serious experiments in hilarious ways. It’s no wonder they’ve become such a beloved part of the YouTube community.

In September 2012, they uploaded a video of themselves singing Lionel Richie’s "All Night Long," which featured over 11 hours of footage recorded on the Santa Monica Pier and Mt. Wilson. This video helped solidify their presence on the platform. Some of their most-watched videos include "Eating a Scorpion – Bug War Challenge," "Amazing Game Show Cheaters," and "World's Hottest Pepper Challenge – Carolina Reaper." Their music videos, like "My OCD (Song)" and "Epic Rap Battle: Nerd vs. Geek," have also garnered tens of millions of views.

They even had their own TV show, "Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings," which aired on the Independent Film Channel. The show followed them as they traveled across the country making local commercials for small businesses. In 2016, they won a Shorty Award for Best Web Series for Good Mythical Morning. And in 2019, they acquired the Smosh brand after Defy Media went into liquidation, reportedly paying $10 million for the deal.

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Life Beyond the Screen

Rhett married Jesse Lane (now McLaughlin) on March 29, 2001. Together, they have two sons, Locke and Shepherd, and they reside in Los Angeles. Rhett’s personal life hasn’t been without its challenges. As a child, he suffered from febrile seizures, and unfortunately, his sons inherited the same condition. Despite these hurdles, Rhett continues to inspire with his humor and resilience.

In 2012, Rhett and Link returned to their alma mater to deliver the commencement speech. During the event, they performed a song and had the valedictorian smash a Charmander piñata. It’s moments like these that remind us why Rhett and Link are so beloved—they never forget where they came from and always give back to their community.

The Numbers Behind the Magic

In 2019, Rhett and Link earned a combined $18 million from their various ventures, ranking them as the fourth-highest YouTubers in the world that year. And in 2020, they topped that by earning $20 million. Their success isn’t just about the money; it’s about the impact they’ve had on millions of fans worldwide.

Where Does Rhett Call Home?

In 2015, Rhett and his wife purchased a stunning 3,214-square-foot home in La Crescenta, a suburb of Los Angeles, for $1.425 million. The house, built in 1978, boasts a modern traditional style with dark hardwood floors, a sunken family room, a formal dining room, and a kitchen with granite countertops. Outside, there’s a large basketball court, a swimming pool, and a spa. It’s the perfect place for Rhett to relax and recharge after a long day of creating content for his fans.