To say the internet has created its own celebrity culture would be an understatement. Since we got access to the “world wide web,” we’ve seen myriad people become famous and make a living solely online, chiefly through content creation. And arguably the king among them is MrBeast, as his high-concept videos and stunts have made him the most-subscribed YouTube channel in the world. He’s become so famous, in fact, he’s raised millions of dollars for charity and produced his own TV shows, food, candy and even a theme.
Here’s everything to know about who MrBeast is, including his real name, how many subscribers he has, and whether he’s married.
Who is MrBeast?
MrBeast is a media personality, most prominently known for his work on YouTube.
What is MrBeast’s real name?
In a sentence that will surprise no one, two parents did not suddenly one day decide to name their child “MrBeast.” His real name, in fact, is Jimmy Donaldson.
How old is MrBeast?
Donaldson is 27 years old, born May 7, 1998.
Related: Who Is MrBeast’s Fiancée, Thea Booysen? All About the Gamer Who Stole the YouTuber’s Heart
How many subscribers does MrBeast have?
As of April 2026, MrBeast has almost 479 million subscribers on YouTube. That makes him far and away the most-subscribed YouTube account on the planet!
Where did MrBeast get his name?
As Donaldson recalls, one day, while playing Xbox in his youth, he was randomly given the name “MrBeast6000.” When he started to get into posting videos on YouTube, he decided to keep the moniker, albeit dropping the “6000.” Thus, “MrBeast” was born.
When did MrBeast start posting videos?
Donaldson actually uploaded his first video on the MrBeast channel only when he was 13! Back in February 2012, his early work ran the gamut, from playthroughs of popular video games to videos estimating the net worth of other YouTubers to explanations on drama happening in the YouTube space at the time. Safe to say, it’s a far cry from what he’s known for doing now!
How did MrBeast become famous?
That is quite a loaded question! A few years into his channel, Donaldson began to pivot his content, focusing on audacious stunts. The first video that made him go viral, for example, consisted of him spending nearly an entire day counting to 100,000. Other early stunts include attempting to spend 24 hours underwater, and watching paint dry for an hour.
Of course, if you know the work of MrBeast, the more popular he got, the more ridiculous his stunts have gotten. By the time 2020 hit, he had become one of the most mainstream YouTubers, boosting his profile even more with events like holding a real-life version of Squid Game (before, of course, Netflix would do that themselves with Squid Game: The Challenge). As MrBeast has grown in popularity, he’s involved increasingly famous people in his videos, including Stephen Curry, Serena Williams and Tom Brady.
Does MrBeast have a TV show?
Yes! In March 2024, it was announced that Donaldson and Amazon Studios would be partnering on a new reality show. The result is Beast Games, which has hundreds of contestants competing for $5 million, the biggest single prize in television history. The Prime Video series has so far ran for two seasons, and has been renewed through Season 4.
Was MrBeast on Survivor?
Yes! While Donaldson rarely makes TV appearances outside of Beast Games, he chose to make an exception for Survivor. He’ll appear on Episode 10 of Season 50 of the iconic CBS reality series, dropping by to offer the remaining players a game-changing “MrBeast Super Beware Advantage.”
What are the controversies around MrBeast?
Of course, being the most popular YouTuber on the planet, it’s not surprising Donaldson and the MrBeast brand has attracted a fair amount of controversy around it over the years. Here’s a list of what has come out so far:
Over the course of May 2021, a series of employees came forward, alleging Donaldson was fostering a difficult work environment. Some former editors claimed they were berated almost daily, and that Donaldson’s demeanor would shift when the cameras were off. Donaldson denied the accusations, insisting that their intention is to maintain high standards without creating toxicity.
In September 2024, five contestants who were on BeastGames Season 1 filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Donaldson and Amazon. They alleged that they were mistreated consistently while filming the show, including sexual harassment, unsafe conditions, unpaid expenses, and being pressured by production to sign illegal contracts and submit false paperwork to secure tax credits.
In April 2026, former employee Lorrayne Mavromatis accused the company, “Beast Industries,” of years of demanding treatment, sexual harassment, gender discrimination and even wrongful termination, claiming she was fired after she became a mother. Donaldson has denied the allegations.
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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