Smosh is an American YouTube sketch comedy-improv collective, independent production company, and former social networking site founded by Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox in 2002. Initially starting as a comedy duo of Hecox and Padilla, the channel expanded to include additional cast members over the years, with various shows and series hosted on their channels, such as Smosh Pit Weekly, Try Not to Laugh, and 2 Truths 1 Lie Challenge.
The channel has undergone changes, including acquisitions and the departure and return of its founders, with Padilla leaving in 2017 and returning in 2023. Smosh has a significant presence on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Twitch, where they engage with their audience through a variety of content, including sketch comedy, gaming, vlogs, and music.
*Summary Table: | |
|---|---|
Name | Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox |
Profile Name | Smosh |
DOB (Age) | Ian Hecox: November 30, 1987 Anthony Padilla: September 16, 1987 |
DOJ (YouTube) | Nov 19, 2005 |
Total Videos | 1.8k+ |
Schedule/Status | Active/ 1 video every week |
Net Worth | $6.02 million |
Nationality | American |
Residence | Los Angeles, California, United States of America |
Smosh, an American YouTube sketch comedy-improv collective and independent production company, traces its roots back to the year 2002 when Anthony Padilla created a website named "smosh.com" for developing Flash animations. During this period, Padilla produced several Flash animations, and the concept of "Smosh" was born. The name "Smosh" itself reportedly originated from a misunderstanding, where Padilla mistook a friend's explanation of a "mosh pit" for a "smosh pit." Subsequently, Ian Hecox, a friend of Padilla's since sixth grade, joined him in this venture. Together, Padilla and Hecox realised their inclination towards comedy and embarked on creating comedic content.
In 2005, the duo transitioned to YouTube, where they began sharing a series of videos featuring lip-syncing performances of popular theme songs including those of "Mortal Kombat," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and "Power Rangers." The video featuring the lip-syncing rendition of the English theme song for the Pokémon anime proved to be a breakout success, amassing over 24 million views, eventually becoming the most-viewed video on the platform at that time. This accomplishment thrust Smosh into the spotlight and garnered attention from the mainstream media, leading to their feature in the "Person of the Year: You" issue of Time in 2006.
The group continued to diversify its content, incorporating short YouTube skits such as the annual video series "Food Battle" and "That Damn Neighbour," fueling their surge in popularity and cementing their position as one of the most subscribed channels on YouTube. Over the years, Smosh broadened its creative scope, resulting in the inception of the "Smosh Pit," "Smosh Games," and "ElSmosh" channels, each catering to diverse genres and demographics within the YouTube ecosystem.
Smosh embraced multiple innovative approaches, including the establishment of the "Smosh Pit" feature in 2010, the creation of the "iShut Up App" for Android phones, and the launch of three different Smosh-based web series: "Ian Is Bored" "Ask Charlie," and "Lunchtime with Smosh," diversifying their content offerings and engaging their audience through various platforms.
According to Net Worth Spot, Smosh's net worth is estimated to be around $6 million. Smosh's primary source of income is YouTube advertising, with the channel earning an estimated $100.38 thousand in ad revenue per month and $1.51 million per year. In addition to YouTube advertising, Smosh has other sources of income, such as sponsorships and promoting their own products. Smosh's other channels, including Smosh Pit, Smosh Shorts, Smosh Cast, and ElSmosh, also contribute to their overall net worth and earnings.
Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox are the co-founders of Smosh. Padilla was born on September 16, 1987, in Sacramento, California, and is of Filipino, Spanish, and German descent. Hecox was also born in Sacramento and is of German and Japanese descent. The duo met in the 6th grade in the suburbs of Sacramento and began posting videos in 2005, initially as a way to make each other laugh. Smosh quickly gained popularity, with Padilla and Hecox writing, directing, and starring in sketch comedy videos for the channel from 2005 to 2017.
In 2011, Smosh was sold to Alloy Digital, which later merged with Break Media to become Defy Media. However, Padilla and Hecox retained little creative or management control and were paid in company stock, which was essentially worthless. Padilla left Smosh in 2017 due to his frustration with these areas but remained friends with Hecox and the crew.
Defy Media later went bankrupt in November 2018, and the Smosh brand was eventually bought by Mythical Entertainment, which is owned by Rhett and Link of Good Mythical Morning. In June 2023, Padilla and Hecox bought back the majority ownership of Smosh from Mythical Entertainment and have since returned to writing, directing, and starring in comedy sketches on the main Smosh channel.
Smosh uploads a variety of content to YouTube, including sketch comedy, gaming-related videos, vlogs, and music videos. Their content ranges from comedic sketches and parodies to gaming challenges and series. Additionally, they produce content in Spanish on their ElSmosh channel, catering to a broader audience. Smosh's diverse range of content has contributed to its success and popularity on YouTube, with over 10 billion views and 25 million subscribers.
Smosh's content includes a variety of series, such as Smosh, Smosh Pit, Smosh Cast, Smosh Shorts, and Smosh Games. Smosh's series include Try Not To Laugh Challenge, Eat It or Yeet It, and Smosh Games, which features Board AF, Gaming with a Twist, Stan Trivia, and Sword AF.
With over 108 million views, this is the most viewed video on the channel Smosh. This is a comedic skit video showing off a product called Beef n go.
This is the second most viewed video on the channel and has over 101 million views. This is a parody of the Assassin's Creed 3 soundtrack.
This is the third most viewed video on the channel and has over 82 million views. This is a rap parody of the Legend of Zelda song.
This is the fourth most-viewed video on the channel and has over 64 million views. This is a parody of the popular show, Death Note.
This is the fifth most-viewed video on the channel and has over 59 million views. This is a skit showing what it's like to play Pokemon in real life.
Smosh's collaborations include working with other YouTubers, such as Rhett and Link, who purchased Smosh in 2019 but later sold it back to Padilla and Hecox in 2023. Smosh has also collaborated with various brands and companies for sponsorships and promotions.
Smosh has faced controversies in the past, including the subject of whether Kalel manipulated Anthony Padilla, which sparked discussions and fan-created videos after her tweets responding to Anthony's video. Additionally, there have been controversies surrounding changes within the channel, such as Padilla leaving in 2017 due to creative inspiration issues and the acquisition of Smosh by controversial companies like Defy Media.
The duo uploaded their first YouTube video in November 2005, which features them dancing and playing air guitar to the Power Rangers theme song.
Smosh had the most-watched video on YouTube in the site's early days, featuring Padilla singing the Pokemon theme song.
Smosh has been the most-subscribed channel on YouTube thrice, from May-June 2006, April 2007-September 2008, and January-August 2013.
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