Gabriel Iglesias Biography And Net Worth
Gabriel Iglesias, often called “Fluffy, is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is a very successful stand-up comedian who travels nationwide, performing in front of sold-out crowds of fans.
Gabriel is known for his funny and relatable comedy. He has released many comedy specials, especially on Netflix. Recently, he became the star of his sitcom on Netflix.
His shows are top-rated, and people love his humor and storytelling. Dude just has a unique style that makes people laugh and feel good.
READ ALSO: Clive Davis Biography And Net Worth
Contents
Gabriel Iglesias’s Early Life And Educational Background
Gabriel Iglesias was born on July 15, 1976, in San Diego, California. His parents were Esther P. Mendez and Jesús Iglesias.
However, Gabriel was raised by his mother, Esther, as a single parent. Gabriel is of Mexican heritage, and his family background has influenced much of his comedy.
Growing up, Gabriel moved around quite a bit. He lived in various places in California, including Riverside, Corona, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park, and Compton.
Eventually, his family settled in Long Beach, where they lived in Section 8 low-income housing. This was where Gabriel spent most of his childhood and teenage years.
Despite the challenges of growing up in a low-income environment, Gabriel developed a strong sense of humor. He used comedy as a way to cope with difficult situations.
This love for making people laugh eventually led him to pursue a comedy career. Gabriel’s early career in comedy wasn’t easy, having faced many struggles, including financial difficulties. Yet, his perseverance paid off. He performed at small clubs and events, slowly building a reputation for himself.
READ ALSO: Jessica Gadsden Biography And Net Worth
Gabriel Iglesias’s Personal Life
Gabriel was in a long-term relationship with a woman named Claudia Valdez. During their time together, Gabriel became very close to Claudia’s son, Frankie.
He considers Frankie his son and loves him very much. However, in 2017, Gabriel and Claudia decided to go their separate ways.
This was a hard time for Gabriel, leading him to cancel some of his shows and stop drinking for two years. Despite their breakup, Gabriel still keeps a close relationship with Frankie and continues to help raise him.
Gabriel Iglesias has also faced many challenges with his health. In his comedy special, “The Fluffy Movie,” he shared that he once weighed 445 pounds.
At that time, his doctor told him he had type 2 diabetes and his blood sugar levels were dangerously high. The doctor gave him a scary warning: if he didn’t change his lifestyle, he only had two years to live.
This news shocked Gabriel and made him realize he needed to take better care of himself. Determined to live a healthier life for his family, Gabriel began his journey to lose weight.
Gabriel tried many different methods to lose weight. He couldn’t have bariatric surgery because he was always on the road for his comedy tours.
Instead, he started lifting weights, doing yoga with Diamond Dallas Page, and following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
Through his hard work and dedication, he managed to lose over 100 pounds. Gabriel has also battled depression and alcoholism.
He believes that his busy touring schedule contributed to these issues. In addition to these challenges, Gabriel faced another health scare on July 15, 2021, which was his 45th birthday.
He tested positive for COVID-19. Because of this, he had to cancel his remaining shows at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and the taping of his upcoming comedy special.
Gabriel Iglesias has faced many personal and health-related challenges, but he continues to work hard and make people laugh.
READ ALSO: Jeanette Adair Bradshaw Biography And Net Worth
Gabriel Iglesias’s Career
His story begins with a bold decision: leaving a secure job at a cell phone company to pursue his passion for comedy. Despite his family’s objections, he leaped, and it paid off.
Iglesias’s first noteworthy break came in 2000 when he appeared on Nickelodeon’s kids’ comedy sketch show “All That,” alongside Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes.
This brief appearance was the beginning of his rise in the entertainment industry. In 2007, he further established his presence by voicing characters in popular TV shows.
He voiced a Mexican family in an episode of “Family Guy” and twins in Disney’s “The Emperor’s New School.” Another notable moment in Iglesias’s career was participating in the fourth season of “Last Comic Standing,” a stand-up comedy reality competition.
Although he reached the final eight, he was disqualified for smuggling a cell phone onto the show. In 2009, Iglesias released a comedy DVD titled “Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Not Fat… I’m Fluffy,” through Comedy Central.
The DVD was a success. Building on this momentum, in 2011, Comedy Central produced “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution,” a stand-up showcase program hosted by Iglesias.
The show ran for three successful seasons. Iglesias didn’t stop at comedy; he ventured into acting as well. He appeared in several TV shows and movies, including “Magic Mike” and “A Haunted House 2,” and had roles in TV shows like “My Wife and Kids,” “The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange,” and “Modern Family.”
Also, Iglesias has been featured in reality TV series like “Fluffy Breaks Even” and “Fluffy’s Food Adventures.” His efforts in reality TV earned him a nomination for an ALMA Award in 2012 for Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act.
Iglesias has also built an impressive resume as a voice actor. He lent his voice to characters in animated movies such as “Planes,” “The Nut Job,” “The Book of Life,” “Norm of the North,” “Smurfs: The Lost Village,” “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature,” “Coco,” “The Star,” and “Blazing Samurai.”
In 2019, Iglesias achieved another milestone by getting his sitcom on Netflix, titled “Mr. Iglesias.” The show is a fictionalized version of his life, imagining what it would be like if he became a history teacher instead of a comedian.
Throughout his career, Iglesias has released three comedy albums: “Hot and Fluffy,” “We Luv Fluffy,” and “Aloha Fluffy.”
Despite his ventures into acting and voice work, his primary passion remains stand-up comedy. He credits comedians like Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, and Robin Williams as his biggest influences.
In 2022, Iglesias made history, becoming the first comedian to sell out Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He released the show, titled “Stadium Fluffy,” on Netflix in October 2022.
Financially, Iglesias has done exceptionally well. Between June 2017 and June 2018, he earned $21 million from various endeavors, making him one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.
His partnership with Netflix has been particularly lucrative, contributing significantly to his income. Alongside his Netflix specials, his extensive touring schedule has kept him in high demand.
Iglesias lives in California and owns a home in the Signal Hill area worth $1.5 million. He also has a unique passion for Volkswagen buses, with a collection valued at $3 million, housed in a warehouse that resembles a car museum.
Iglesias is not only successful in his career but also in his philanthropic efforts.
In 2012, he was awarded an honorary key to the city of El Paso and received a Beacon of H.O.P.E award from Operation H.O.P.E. for his contributions to financial literacy and education in underprivileged communities.
READ ALSO: Sarai Burgos Biography And Net Worth
What Is Gabriel Iglesias’s Net Worth In 2024?
As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be over $40 million. He has made his money through various sources, including comedy tours, TV shows, movies, and merchandise sales.
Gabriel Iglesias earns about $20 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. He has a large fan base, and his shows often sell out. His success in the entertainment industry has contributed significantly to his impressive net worth.
