Few comedians have turned a wild college story into a decades-long career quite like Bert Kreischer. But the man behind ‘The Machine’ has faced more than just stage pressure — a harrowing blood clot scare in 2022 forced him to confront his health and his drinking. Here’s what we know about his DVT diagnosis, his sobriety journey, and the questions fans still ask about his friendship with Joe Rogan.
Born: November 3, 1972 ·
Known for: Stand-up comedy, podcasting, ‘The Machine’ story ·
Net worth (estimate): $14 million (multiple reports) ·
Major health scare: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 2022 ·
Sobriety status: Publicly maintains sobriety since 2021 ·
Latest Netflix special: ‘Razzle Dazzle’ (2023)
Quick snapshot
- Born Albert Charles Kreischer Jr. in Tampa, Florida
- Attended Florida State University
- Started comedy in 1997
- Rolling Stone’s ‘Number One Partier’ (1997)
- Netflix specials: ‘The Machine’, ‘Razzle Dazzle’
- Podcasts: Bertcast, 2 Bears 1 Cave
- Diagnosed with DVT after leg pain on flight
- Underwent emergency surgery
- Became public advocate for travel clot awareness
- Married to LeeAnn Kreischer
- Two daughters: Georgia and Ila
- Resides in Los Angeles
Seven key facts give a fast overview of Bert Kreischer’s life and career.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Albert Charles Kreischer Jr. |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Tampa, Florida |
| Profession | Stand-up comedian, podcaster, actor |
| Net Worth (approx.) | $14 million |
| Spouse | LeeAnn Kreischer |
| Children | 2 daughters |
What is Bert Kreischer’s Medical Condition?
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis
In October 2022, Kreischer was rushed to an emergency room after experiencing severe leg pain following a flight. According to Fox News, doctors found a significant blood clot behind his knee and additional clots in his lungs. The event was described as a travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism scare by Center for Vein, a vascular health clinic.
Hospitalization and recovery
Kreischer underwent surgery to remove the blood clots and was placed on blood thinners, Fox News reported. He later said the diagnosis became a turning point in his health and weight-loss journey. In a January 2026 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Kreischer explained that doctors told him to remain sober for six months while on the medication, according to SingjuPost, a podcast transcript aggregator.
Public awareness campaign about travel clots
Kreischer has since used his platform to warn frequent travelers about the risks of prolonged sitting. He now wears compression socks on flights and encourages others to move regularly during long trips. The Center for Vein report notes that he attributed the blood clots primarily to prolonged sitting rather than alcohol.
Kreischer’s DVT scare turned a comedian known for partying into an unlikely health advocate — and it forced him to choose between the blood thinners that keep him alive and the alcohol that once defined his public persona.
What Happened Between Joe Rogan and Bert Kreischer?
The falling out over political and personal differences
Around 2020, Kreischer and Rogan stopped appearing on each other’s podcasts. According to Nicki Swift, a celebrity news site, Rogan cited political disagreements and discomfort with Kreischer’s behavior as reasons for the distance. In a 2022 episode, Rogan said Kreischer was “so much more of a drunk” than before and vowed to get him on board with Sober October, as reported by Sportskeeda, a sports and entertainment news outlet.
Joe Rogan’s comments on his podcast
Rogan later posted a screenshot of Kreischer and Tom Segura turning down his Sober October request, which sparked backlash from fans. Kreischer responded by saying Rogan had no intention of throwing them under the bus, according to the same Nicki Swift report.
Current status of their relationship
By 2025, the two men remained publicly cordial but no longer collaborated regularly. In May 2025, Rogan recalled a story about Kreischer’s martinis and admitted that alcohol had sabotaged his own desire to follow a healthy lifestyle, as noted by Pro Football Network, a sports media outlet.
The implication: The friendship fracture appears driven less by a single blowup and more by a slow divergence in lifestyle and priorities — Rogan’s move toward fitness and sobriety clashed with Kreischer’s longtime party image.
How Did Bert Kreischer Get Famous?
Rolling Stone’s ‘Number One Partier’ (1997)
Kreischer’s rise began when Rolling Stone featured him as the “Number One Partier in the Nation” during his college years at Florida State University. The article, based on a wild reputation, put him on the national radar and opened doors in comedy.
The ‘Machine’ story on ‘The Howard Stern Show’ and beyond
While on a college trip to Russia, Kreischer claims he was mistaken for a mobster and forced to strip at gunpoint — a story he later turned into the stand-up bit “The Machine.” The tale became so popular that it spawned a Netflix special and a feature film of the same name.
Transition to podcaster (Bertcast, ‘2 Bears, 1 Cave’)
Kreischer expanded into podcasting with Bertcast and later co-hosted 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura. The shows built a loyal audience and became a major income stream, complementing his touring and Netflix specials.
Why this matters: Kreischer’s fame is a textbook case of “failing upward” — a single college anecdote, amplified by early internet culture, snowballed into a multi-platform career that few comedians have matched.
Is Bert Kreischer Sober?
Timeline of his journey to sobriety
Kreischer publicly announced sobriety in 2021, citing health concerns and family as his primary motivations. The DVT diagnosis in 2022 reinforced his commitment: doctors told him to avoid alcohol while on blood thinners, as recorded in the SingjuPost transcript of his January 2026 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
Impact on his comedy and public appearances
Kreischer has said that performing sober changed his stage presence. He still leans on his high-energy, shirtless persona, but fans have noted a more reflective tone in recent interviews. He continues to support others in recovery through occasional mentions on his podcast.
Statements about alcohol and health
On Rogan’s podcast, Kreischer said he could not drink because he was on medication for blood clots in his legs. He also noted that the clot scare forced him to fly sober for the first time in years. The Center for Vein report confirms that the clot was primarily travel-related, not alcohol-related, but the two intersected in his recovery.
Kreischer built his brand on being the life of the party — but the very thing that made him famous (the “Number One Partier” label) almost killed him when combined with the physical toll of constant touring.
What Surgery Did Bert Kreischer Have?
Details of the DVT-related surgery
In October 2022, Kreischer underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clots from his leg and lungs. Fox News reported that the procedure was successful and that he was placed on a regimen of blood thinners afterward.
Recovery process and timeline
Recovery involved several weeks of limited mobility and regular monitoring. Kreischer later said the experience was a wake-up call that changed his approach to health and fitness. He now follows a strict routine that includes daily walks and compression wear during flights.
Medical recommendations following the procedure
Doctors advised Kreischer to stay on blood thinners for at least six months and to avoid alcohol during that period. He now publicly recommends that frequent travelers move every two hours on long flights and stay hydrated to reduce clot risk, echoing the Center for Vein’s travel safety guidance.
The trade-off: Kreischer traded a carefree touring lifestyle for a medically managed one — but the alternative, he says, could have been fatal.
How Rich is Bert Kreischer?
Net worth estimate and sources of income
Multiple sources estimate Kreischer’s net worth at around $14 million as of 2025. His income comes from three main streams: stand-up tours, Netflix specials, and podcast sponsorships. The touring circuit remains his biggest earner, with frequent sold-out shows across the U.S. and internationally.
Tour revenue and podcast revenue
Kreischer’s tours typically gross several million per year. His podcast network, including Bertcast and 2 Bears, 1 Cave, generates additional revenue through advertising and live show ticket sales. The “failing upward” narrative — a term Kreischer himself uses — has become a marketing asset that drives ticket sales.
Comparison with other comedians
While Kreischer’s net worth is modest compared to household names like Jerry Seinfeld or Dave Chappelle, it places him in the upper tier of touring comedians. His consistency and loyal fanbase have kept his career stable despite the health scare and the reduced collaboration with Rogan.
The pattern: Kreischer’s financial success is built on volume — constant touring, frequent podcast output, and regular Netflix releases — rather than high per-project fees. It’s a grind that his health scare nearly derailed.
Timeline: Bert Kreischer’s Career and Health Journey
- 1997 — Featured in Rolling Stone as ‘Number One Partier in the Nation’
- 2000s — Develops ‘The Machine’ story, expands into podcasting
- 2020 — Distance from Joe Rogan becomes public
- 2021 — Publicly announces sobriety
- October 2022 — Diagnosed with DVT, undergoes surgery
- 2023 — Releases Netflix special ‘Razzle Dazzle’
- 2024 — Continues touring, net worth grows
- 2025 — Current tours and podcast schedule
Clarity Check: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Bert Kreischer was hospitalized for DVT in October 2022. (Fox News)
- He is married to LeeAnn Kreischer since 2003.
- He has two daughters.
- He announced sobriety in 2021.
- His net worth is estimated around $14 million by multiple sources. (Pro Football Network)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the falling out with Joe Rogan beyond political differences. (Nicki Swift)
- Precise date of his DVT surgery beyond October 2022.
- Exact net worth figure (multiple sources vary).
Quotes: In Their Own Words
“I couldn’t drink because I was on medication for blood clots in my legs.”
— Bert Kreischer on The Joe Rogan Experience, January 2026 (via SingjuPost transcript)
“This diagnosis became a turning point in my health and weight-loss journey.”
— Bert Kreischer, as reported by Fox News
“He’s so much more of a drunk than before. I want to see how he behaves after a month of sobriety.”
— Joe Rogan on his podcast, 2022 (via Sportskeeda)
For Bert Kreischer, the intersection of a blood clot scare and a forced sobriety has redrawn the boundaries of a career built on partying. The choice he faces now — between the lifestyle that made him famous and the health that keeps him alive — is one that many frequent travelers and public figures will recognize. For Kreischer, the path forward is clear: stay on the meds, keep moving on flights, and let the jokes come anyway.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bert Kreischer’s real name?
Albert Charles Kreischer Jr.
Does Bert Kreischer still drink?
He has been publicly sober since 2021 and continues to abstain, particularly while on blood thinners for his DVT recovery.
How many Netflix specials does Bert Kreischer have?
He has released three Netflix specials: The Machine (2016), Secret Time (2018), and Razzle Dazzle (2023).
Is Bert Kreischer still on tour?
Yes, he continues to tour regularly in 2025 with a schedule that includes shows across the U.S. and internationally.
What is Bert Kreischer’s podcast called?
He hosts Bertcast and co-hosts 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura.
Did Bert Kreischer have a blood clot?
Yes, he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in October 2022 and underwent emergency surgery.
What did Bert Kreischer do before comedy?
He attended Florida State University, where he gained notoriety as the “Number One Partier” in a Rolling Stone article.
How tall is Bert Kreischer?
He is approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Canada Scene, covering breaking stories and community news across Canada.