Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal — collectively known simply as Rhett and Link — are an American comedy duo whose journey from mischievous fourth-graders to multimillionaire “entertainers” has captivated fans around the world. Their unique blend of humor, music, and genuine friendship has fueled their success across multiple platforms. Here’s a closer look at their backgrounds, how they built their fortune, and why they remain beloved internet icons.
Rhett and Link’s Journey:
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal—often referred to simply as Rhett & Link—are an American comedy duo celebrated for their friendly banter, inventive challenges, and clean humor. They met in elementary school and, after initially pursuing engineering careers, decided to turn their passion for entertaining into a full-time endeavor. Their blend of humor, music, and storytelling quickly found a home on YouTube, and they have since become prominent figures in digital media.
Their primary YouTube venture, @rhettandlink, features comedic sketches, music videos, and personal vlogs. However, they are best known for the weekday morning talk show, Good Mythical Morning (GMM), GMM’s lighthearted segments—ranging from taste tests and bizarre experiments to friendly competitions—have cultivated a large, family-friendly fan base and consistently draw millions of views. The success of GMM has led to several spin-off channels, including Good Mythical MORE for extended show content, and Mythical Kitchen focusing on food-related videos.
Today, Rhett and Link operate under the umbrella of Mythical Entertainment, a production company they founded to manage their growing content catalog, multiple podcasts (such as Ear Biscuits), live tours, and additional creative ventures. Through Mythical Entertainment, they’ve also ventured into acquisitions—most notably purchasing the Smosh brand—and established an investment fund for emerging creators. Widely regarded as pioneers in YouTube’s “internetainer” space, Rhett and Link continue to innovate, entertain, and engage audiences both online and offline.
Category | Rhett James McLaughlin | Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III |
Date of Birth | October 11, 1977 | June 1, 1978 |
Place of Birth | Macon, Georgia (USA) | Durham, North Carolina (USA) |
Education | B.S. in Civil Engineering (NC State, magna cum laude) | B.S. in Industrial Engineering (NC State, summa cum laude) |
Notable Works | Good Mythical Morning, Buddy System, Ear Biscuits | Good Mythical Morning, Buddy System, Ear Biscuits |
Production Company | Mythical Entertainment (Co-Founder) | Mythical Entertainment (Co-Founder) |
Estimated Net Worth | $36 million (combined figure) | $36 million (combined figure) |
Residence | La Crescenta, California | La Crescenta, California |
Family | Married to Jessie; Two sons | Married to Christy; Three children |
Major Acquisitions | Smosh (acquired in 2019), Mythical Accelerator Fund | Smosh (acquired in 2019), Mythical Accelerator Fund |
Instagram Handle | @rhettmc | @linkneal |
Rhett and Link’s Early Lives and Education:-
Childhood Bond:
Rhett James McLaughlin, born on October 11, 1977, in Macon, Georgia, and Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III, born on June 1, 1978, in Durham, North Carolina, formed a lifelong friendship through a serendipitous meeting in first grade.
After being caught scribbling on their desks, the teacher tasked them with writing a story together, igniting a bond built on creativity and humor. As kids, they shared a love for storytelling, playful antics, and inventing quirky games. Their mutual curiosity and knack for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures set the foundation for their enduring partnership.
Engineering Background:
Rhett and Link both attended North Carolina State University, where they pursued engineering degrees. Rhett graduated magna cum laude in December 2000, while Link achieved summa cum laude honors in May 2001. Their rigorous academic paths reflected their determination and intellectual drive.
However, even during college, their creative spark never dimmed—they collaborated on quirky videos, humorous projects, and offbeat ideas in their free time. Though they were equipped to excel as engineers, their shared love for comedy and entertainment grew stronger, eventually guiding them to take a leap of faith toward pursuing their true passions together.
Their Rise to YouTube Stardom:-
Channel Name | Subscribers |
Good Mythical Morning | 18.6 Million |
Rhett & Link’s Wonderhole | 5.38 Million |
Good Mythical MORE | 4.31 Million |
Mythical kitchen | 3.51 Million |
Ear Biscuits | 541 thousand |
Good Mythical Morning:
Rhett and Link’s bold decision to leave their stable engineering careers marked the beginning of an unexpected journey into the world of digital entertainment. In 2012, they launched Good Mythical Morning (GMM), a daily talk show on YouTube.
The show quickly gained traction due to their imaginative challenges, playful experiments, and charismatic banter, all while maintaining a family-friendly appeal. With segments ranging from taste-testing bizarre foods to quirky life hacks, GMM became a household name, earning millions of loyal fans across the globe who tune in daily for a dose of creativity and laughter.
Additional Channels and Projects:
Beyond Good Mythical Morning, Rhett and Link expanded their creative universe. They launched multiple YouTube channels, including Mythical Kitchen for food content and Good Mythical More as a GMM aftershow. They created a podcast called Ear Biscuits, where they dive into personal stories and discussions about life.
They also explored scripted entertainment with Rhett & Link’s Buddy System, a fictional comedy series, and produced hilarious music videos that showcase their comedic genius. By diversifying their content, they’ve reached audiences of all ages and interests, solidifying their position as pioneers in the YouTube space.
Rhett and Link’s Mythical Entertainment and Brand Collaborations:-
Founding Mythical Entertainment:
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, known for their unique humor and creativity, laid the foundation for Mythical Entertainment to manage their expanding array of projects. Starting with “Good Mythical Morning,” their flagship YouTube show, they soon diversified into podcasts, digital content, and live events. Mythical Entertainment is now home to over 100 employees, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. It produces a variety of content, including shows featuring not only Rhett and Link but also other talented hosts and creators. The company’s ethos is rooted in creativity and community, ensuring it continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide.
Sponsored Content and Brand Deals:
Rhett and Link’s knack for blending humor and storytelling paved the way for early partnerships with major brands. Before achieving mainstream success, they created quirky promotional content for companies like Alka-Seltzer, McDonald’s, and Cadillac. Their comedic songs and sketches resonated with audiences and proved highly effective for advertisers.
These collaborations not only provided significant financial support during their formative years but also showcased their ability to balance creative integrity with commercial goals. As their brand grew, these partnerships evolved, helping establish Rhett and Link as pioneers in integrating sponsorships seamlessly into entertaining content.
Rhett and Link’s Estimated Net Worth:
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, famously known as Rhett & Link, have an estimated net worth of $36 million, according to their Forbes profile. The duo is renowned for their YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning, which boasts millions of subscribers and billions of views. Their unique mix of comedy, creativity, and engaging content has propelled them to the top tier of digital creators.
Beyond YouTube, Rhett & Link have diversified their income streams, including hosting podcasts, producing original shows, publishing books, and owning a creative agency called Mythical Entertainment. They have also ventured into merchandise sales and collaborations with brands, further solidifying their influence in the entertainment industry.
Their ability to adapt to changing trends while maintaining authenticity has earned them a loyal fan base and consistent financial success, making them some of the most successful creators in the online entertainment space.
Diversification: Books, Tours, Acquisitions, and More
- Publishing, Music, and Live Tours: The duo has published two books, released seven comedy albums, and embarked on tours across the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Live performances and appearances on television (including talk shows and cooking competitions) have further boosted their income and brand recognition.
- Smosh and the Mythical Accelerator Fund: In a pivotal move, Rhett and Link acquired the well-known comedy brand Smosh in 2019 after its former parent company, Defy Media, went into liquidation. Moreover, they launched the “Mythical Accelerator Fund” to invest in other social media creators. Their financial stake in channels run by Jarvis Johnson, Daniel Thrasher, and The Sorry Girls exemplifies their commitment to leveraging their success to nurture other emerging talents.
- Merch and E-Commerce: Mythical.com, the official merchandise store, offers everything from apparel to collectibles, further bolstering Rhett and Link’s earnings. With their strong fan base, branded products consistently enjoy robust sales.
Rhett and Link’s Real Estate and Reported Salaries:-
- Homes in California: Rhett and Link settled near each other in La Crescenta, Calif., each purchasing homes valued at over $1 million. Rhett and his wife Jessie acquired their property for $1.425 million, while Link and his wife Christy bought theirs for $1.265 million.
Here is the home tour video for their houses.
- Salary Figures: While Distractify estimates their combined net worth at around $36 million, wageindicator/paycheck.in cites that Rhett and Link (as YouTube video editors/entertainers) might earn the equivalent of over ₹3,03,01,78,427 per year (roughly translating to tens of millions of U.S. dollars). Discrepancies in reported figures are common, but there is no doubt that Rhett and Link rank among the top-earning digital creators worldwide.
Conclusion:
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have fashioned an extraordinary entertainment empire out of a humble classroom punishment. Their transition from engineers to YouTube icons underscores the power of authenticity, creativity, and genuine friendship. With a net worth estimated at around $36 million (and some sources suggesting higher), the duo continues to expand its influence through Mythical Entertainment, brand deals, acquisitions, and original content.
Recommendations:
- Expand Mythical Entertainment into new verticals like gaming or live events to reach untapped audiences.
- Create region-specific content or partnerships to grow their international fan base.
- Utilize platforms like TikTok and streaming services to stay relevant with younger demographics.
Rhett & Link should focus on sustaining their authenticity while embracing innovation. By adapting to new trends and exploring fresh opportunities, they can continue building their legacy as digital entertainment pioneers.
FAQs:
Rhett and Link have a combined net worth generally estimated at around $36 million, although different sources may present higher figures.
They met in the first grade after getting in trouble for writing inappropriate words on their desks. This led to a lifelong friendship that would eventually become the foundation of their entertainment career.
Mythical Entertainment is Rhett and Link’s production company. It oversees their various media properties, including multiple YouTube channels, podcasts, merchandise lines, live tours, and acquisitions.
Their revenue streams include advertising on their YouTube videos, sponsorships, brand collaborations, merchandise sales, book deals, live tours, comedy albums, and strategic investments such as acquiring Smosh and funding other creators.
Both reside in La Crescenta, California, with their respective families. They purchased homes roughly one mile apart, each valued at over $1 million.