Bert Kreischer: Joe Rogan Rift, Health, Sobriety, Net Worth

Bert Kreischer has spent two decades as the shirtless, hard-partying comedian who turned a college drinking story into a career. But in 2020, a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis landed him in the hospital and started a quieter conversation about health and sobriety.

Born: November 3, 1972 · Occupation: Stand-up comedian, podcaster, actor · Spouse: LeeAnn Kreischer · Children: Two daughters · Net worth: $14 million (estimated) · Famous for: The Machine story

The pattern is clear: Kreischer’s public persona is shifting from party animal to something more measured.

One of the central dynamics shaping his career has been his long-running friendship with Joe Rogan — a cornerstone of his podcast fame. Here’s what the timeline shows.

What happened between Joe Rogan and Bert Kreischer?

Bert Kreischer and Joe Rogan were once inseparable podcast guests — Kreischer appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience at least 37 times, with episodes dating back to 2013 (video platform YouTube (JRE #249)). By 2023, fans noticed the appearances had stopped. Rogan acknowledged on his own show that the two had grown apart, saying they “just don’t hang out as much” (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda).

Why did Joe Rogan stop talking to Bert?

No public feud has been confirmed. Kreischer described Rogan as “like an older brother” and credited him with pushing his career forward — advising him to get a Netflix special and “be undeniable” (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda). The distance appears to be a natural drift, not a falling-out.

Did Joe Rogan unfriend Bert?

Rogan has never used the word “unfriend.” In a 2024 JRE episode, he welcomed Kreischer back warmly, and the two discussed comedy, family, and health (video platform YouTube (JRE #1990)). The relationship is still cordial, just less frequent.

Are Joe Rogan and Bert still friends?

Based on public statements, yes. Rogan has said “I love Bert” and Kreischer continues to praise Rogan’s mentorship. The bond has changed shape but hasn’t broken (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda).

Is Bert Kreischer sober?

Kreischer’s relationship with alcohol has been a central part of his brand. After a 2020 DVT scare, he began to publicly reconsider his drinking. On The Joe Rogan Experience #2445, he revealed he had set a timer and gone “5 months and 18 days” without alcohol (transcript archive Singju Post).

Is Bert Kreischer sober now?

Not fully. He has described his sobriety as a period measured in months, and he still drinks occasionally. In a 2024 interview with The Charlotte Observer, he said he woke up without chronic leg pain after cutting back on alcohol — a direct result of the DVT and blood thinners (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication)).

Has Bert Kreischer quit drinking?

He has not claimed to be permanently sober. His own words suggest a conscious reduction rather than a full quit. He told Rogan that the blood thinners made drinking “not worth it” (entertainment news outlet Aussie Pulse).

What did Bert say about sobriety?

On his own podcast, he has described the experience as “a reset” and acknowledged that the party reputation is hard to shake. The shift is real, but not absolute (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication)).

What health issues does Bert Kreischer have?

In 2020, Kreischer was hospitalized with deep vein thrombosis — blood clots that formed behind his knee and traveled to his lungs. He was put on blood thinners and told he would need them for six months (entertainment news outlet Aussie Pulse).

What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs. If it breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening. Kreischer’s case was severe enough to require hospitalization and long-term medication (entertainment news outlet Aussie Pulse).

How did Bert Kreischer get DVT?

The exact cause isn’t publicly documented, but Kreischer has linked it to a combination of frequent long-haul flights for his comedy tour and a sedentary lifestyle during the pandemic. He now advocates for travelers to move regularly during flights (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication)).

Does Bert Kreischer have other health issues?

He has mentioned chronic leg pain that resolved after he reduced drinking and lost weight. Beyond DVT and related circulation issues, no other major health conditions have been confirmed (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication)).

What happened to Bert Kreischer?

Kreischer’s rise to fame began in 1997, when Rolling Stone named him the top partyer at Florida State University. That notoriety evolved into the “The Machine” story — a tall tale about a train trip in Russia that became a staple of his stand-up and eventually a Netflix movie in 2023 (film database IMDb).

How did Bert Kreischer become famous?

After the Rolling Stone article, Kreischer parlayed his party reputation into a career in stand-up. He developed a shirtless, high-energy style that played well on TV and later on podcasts. His breakthrough came when he told “The Machine” story on a late-night show, which went viral (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda).

What is the Machine story?

The story involves Kreischer, as a college student, getting mistaken for a Russian mobster while on a train in Russia. He claims to have been forced to drink with the mafia and eventually earned their respect. The story has been told and retold on stage, on podcasts, and in the 2023 film The Machine (film database IMDb).

What are Bert Kreischer’s stand-up specials?

Kreischer has released multiple Netflix specials: Secret Time (2013), The Machine (2016), and Free Bert (2022). Each builds on his autobiographical, high-energy style (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda).

What is Bert Kreischer’s net worth?

As of 2024, Kreischer’s net worth is estimated at $14 million (entertainment news outlet Aussie Pulse). The figure comes from multiple income streams: stand-up tours, Netflix specials, podcasting, and his role in The Machine movie.

What is Bert Kreischer’s net worth in 2024?

The same $14 million estimate is widely cited by entertainment outlets. No official source confirms the number, but it aligns with his touring schedule and media presence (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication)).

How does Bert Kreischer make money?

His primary income is live stand-up: he tours regularly, selling out mid-sized venues. He also earns from his podcast Bertcast, his Netflix specials, and endorsement deals. The 2023 film The Machine added a paycheck, though box office numbers were modest (film database IMDb).

What is Bert Kreischer’s salary?

No exact salary is public. Like most comedians, his income fluctuates with tour dates and specials. The $14 million net worth suggests annual earnings in the low millions, after expenses and taxes (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda).

Timeline

• 1997: Rolling Stone names Bert the “top partyer” at Florida State University (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)
• 2008: The Machine story goes viral on TV (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)
• 2013: First Netflix special Secret Time released (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)
• 2020: Bert hospitalized with DVT, begins health advocacy (entertainment news outlet Aussie Pulse)
• 2022: Netflix special Free Bert released (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)
• 2023: Rumors of rift with Joe Rogan surface; The Machine movie released (film database IMDb)
• 2024: Bert discusses health and sobriety on podcasts (transcript archive Singju Post)

What’s clear and what’s not

Quotes

“I woke up without chronic leg pain.”

— Bert Kreischer, speaking to The Charlotte Observer (The Charlotte Observer (regional publication))

“We just don’t hang out as much, but I love Bert.”

— Joe Rogan, on The Joe Rogan Experience (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)

“He’s like an older brother to me.”

— Bert Kreischer, describing Joe Rogan (MMA and pop culture coverage Sportskeeda)

Summary

Bert Kreischer built a career on a single drunken story, but the man behind the Machine is now navigating a different reality — one where health scares, friendship dynamics, and a changing public appetite demand a quieter, more thoughtful version of the party animal. For his core audience, the choice is clear: embrace the new, more measured Kreischer, or watch the old one slowly fade away.

Related reading: Bert Kreischer talks health, sobriety, and shirtless stand-up in Charlotte · Bert Kreischer’s DVT, sobriety, and fame

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