Nikki Glaser has become one of the most recognizable voices in American comedy by doing something many comedians avoid—being brutally honest about topics most people only whisper about. Her willingness to discuss sex, relationships, and personal struggles with unflinching honesty has made her stand out in an industry where authenticity often takes a backseat to carefully crafted personas.
What makes her journey particularly compelling is how she turned vulnerability into strength. From starting comedy at 18 while still in college to becoming the first solo female host of the Golden Globes in 2025, she has built a career on refusing to play it safe. Her success demonstrates that audiences appreciate comedians who take risks and share genuine experiences rather than polished, sanitized versions of themselves.
Quick Background Overview
Nikki Glaser is an American stand-up comedian, actress, podcast host, and television personality known for her sharp, unfiltered comedic style.
She has hosted multiple television shows including “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” on Comedy Central, reality dating shows like “FBoy Island” and “Blind Date,” and made history as the first solo female host of the Golden Globes in January 2025. Her work spans stand-up comedy specials, podcasting, acting roles in films like “Trainwreck” and “I Feel Pretty,” and memorable performances at Comedy Central Roasts.
Early Life and Parents
Nikki was born on June 1, 1984, in Cincinnati, Ohio, making her 41 years old as of january 2026. Her full name is Nicole Rene Glaser. She was born to Julie E. (née Burke) and Edward J. Glaser in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents raised her in a Catholic household, and the family moved to Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, where she spent most of her childhood. She has a younger sister named Lauren.
Her parents have been supportive of her career, though they occasionally become subjects of her comedy material. In July 2023, she appeared on “Celebrity Family Feud” with her family, giving audiences a glimpse of her relationship with her parents. She has discussed how her upbringing in St. Louis shaped her perspective and sense of humor.
Julie and Edward Glaser largely stay out of the spotlight, maintaining private lives while supporting their daughter’s public career. She has mentioned that her parents’ relationship and their approach to life influenced her views on commitment and relationships, topics she frequently explores in her comedy.
Education and Early Interests
Nikki attended Kirkwood High School in Missouri, graduating in 2002. After high school, she briefly enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder before transferring to the University of Kansas, where she completed her degree in English Literature.
Her interest in comedy began during her college years. Friends encouraged her to try stand-up, and at 18, she wrote her first jokes and performed at a college talent show. The positive response gave her confidence that comedy could be more than just a hobby.
While still at the University of Kansas, she would drive to Kansas City to perform at open mic nights, honing her craft while completing her education. This dedication to both her degree and her developing comedy career showed early discipline that would later define her professional approach.
Life Before Fame
Before gaining widespread recognition, she spent years working the comedy club circuit, performing at open mics and small venues wherever she could get stage time. Her early comedy focused on sex and relationships, topics she approached with honesty that sometimes made audiences uncomfortable but always kept them engaged.
In the mid-2000s, she auditioned for Season 4 of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC, reaching the semi-finals in Los Angeles. While she didn’t win the competition, the exposure helped her gain attention and connections in the comedy industry.
During this period, she also dealt with personal challenges including struggles with alcohol and an eating disorder. She quit drinking on December 9, 2011, crediting self-help author Allen Carr’s books with helping her achieve sobriety. This decision significantly impacted both her personal life and comedy, as she learned to perform and socialize without alcohol.
How She Became Famous
Her breakthrough came through a combination of television exposure and consistent stand-up work. In 2011, she started hosting the podcast “You Had To Be There” with comedian Sara Schaefer, which ran until 2014 and helped build her following beyond live comedy audiences.
In January 2013, MTV premiered “Nikki & Sara Live,” a late-night talk show she co-hosted with Schaefer. As shown on her verified Instagram profile, the show ran for two seasons and gave her significant mainstream exposure, though it was canceled in November 2013.
Her 2016 Comedy Central show “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” further raised her profile. The sex-themed talk show was bold and controversial, tackling topics most late-night shows avoided. Though it was canceled after one season, it established her as a comedian willing to push boundaries.
Her stand-up specials solidified her reputation. “Perfect” aired on Comedy Central in 2016, followed by “Bangin'” on Netflix in 2019, which received critical acclaim. Her HBO specials “Good Clean Filth” (2022) and “Someday You’ll Die” (2024) showcased her evolution as a performer, with the latter earning Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe nominations.
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Television, Podcast, and Media Career
Beyond stand-up, she has built a diverse media career. She appeared in Amy Schumer films “Trainwreck” (2015) and “I Feel Pretty” (2018), showing her acting range beyond comedy. She competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2018, though she was eliminated first, and appeared on “The Masked Singer” in 2022.
Her hosting work includes reviving “Blind Date” on Bravo in 2019 and hosting “FBoy Island” on HBO Max from 2021-2023, along with its spinoff “Lovers and Liars.” Her 2022 reality show “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?” on E! documented her life living with her parents during the pandemic.
She became a fixture at Comedy Central Roasts, delivering memorable performances roasting Rob Lowe, Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin, and most notably Tom Brady in 2024. According to coverage on major entertainment outlets like Variety, her performance at the Tom Brady roast went viral and significantly boosted her mainstream recognition, setting the stage for her Golden Globes hosting gig.
Her podcast work includes “The Nikki Glaser Podcast,” which ran from March 2021 to March 2025. She also hosted “You Up? With Nikki Glaser” on SiriusXM from 2018-2020 and co-hosted “We Know Nothing” with Phil Hanley and Anya Marina, focusing on relationship advice.
According to the Golden Globes website, she hosted the Golden Globes and is set to return as host in 2026.
Relationship and Marriage Status
Nikki is not married. She is in a long-term, on-and-off relationship with television producer Chris Convy. They met in 2013 when he worked as a producer on her MTV show “Nikki & Sara Live.” Both are from St. Louis, and they connected partially because both were sober—she had quit drinking a year before meeting him.
Their relationship has been complex, with the couple breaking up and reuniting multiple times over more than a decade. She has stated publicly that they have broken up “probably five times in 10 years,” with separations ranging from two days to three years.
She has been open about her reluctance toward marriage, stating on the Howard Stern Show in May 2024: “I think the off-and-on is [because] I’m just terrified of committing to anything forever. I think committing to something forever makes me think of no other adventures. It’s just, kind of, admitting defeat. It’s settling.”
Despite this hesitation about formal commitment, she has described Convy as “the love of my life” and they continue their relationship. He has produced several of her projects including her HBO special “Someday You’ll Die” and was featured in her reality show “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?”
Net Worth and Income Sources
Financial Disclaimer: Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available information about her career and typical earnings in the entertainment industry. These are not official confirmations and actual figures may vary.
Based on industry estimates, her net worth is believed to be in the range of $2-4 million as of 2026. Her income comes from multiple sources across her diverse career in comedy and entertainment.
Stand-up comedy tours generate substantial income. She regularly performs across the country, with ticket sales and merchandise contributing significantly to her earnings. Successful comedians at her level can earn tens of thousands per show.
Television hosting and appearances provide steady income. Hosting shows like “FBoy Island” and the Golden Globes comes with significant paychecks. Her 2025 Golden Globes hosting gig was a major career milestone that likely came with a substantial fee.
Her comedy specials on platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Comedy Central generate both upfront payments and ongoing residuals. Major streaming platforms pay established comedians six to seven figures for exclusive specials.
Podcast revenue comes from advertising and sponsorships. Her podcast attracted sponsors willing to pay for access to her engaged audience.
Acting roles in films and television add to her income, though this represents a smaller portion compared to her comedy work.
Physical Appearance
Based on publicly available information, she stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. She has brown eyes and naturally brown hair. She maintains a slim build, though she has been open about past struggles with body image and eating disorders.
She has discussed her journey toward body acceptance in interviews and comedy material, using her platform to talk honestly about the pressures women face regarding appearance in entertainment.
Challenges and Industry Pressure
Her career has included significant professional and personal challenges. She has been open about struggling with alcohol dependency before getting sober in 2011, and she has discussed battling an eating disorder earlier in life.
Working in comedy as a woman who discusses sex openly has brought unique challenges. She has mentioned receiving inappropriate comments from audience members who misinterpret her openness about sexuality as an invitation for unwanted advances.
Show cancellations tested her resilience. Both “Nikki & Sara Live” and “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” were canceled despite positive reception, requiring her to adapt and find new opportunities.
The pressure of maintaining relevance in a competitive industry led her to embrace social media, though she has described it as exhausting work, calling it “a television show that never ends.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Nikki Glaser?
She was born on June 1, 1984, making her 41 years old as of January 2026. She celebrated a milestone birthday in 2024 and continues performing at the peak of her career.
Is she married?
No, she is not married. She is in a long-term relationship with producer Chris Convy, but has expressed reluctance about marriage, stating she’s “terrified of committing to anything forever.”
What made her famous?
She gained recognition through a combination of television shows (“Nikki & Sara Live,” “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser”), stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO, memorable Comedy Central Roast performances (especially Tom Brady), and becoming the first solo female host of the Golden Globes in 2025.
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