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Markiplier: The King of YouTube Comedy and Charity

Full Name Mark Edward Fischbach
Nickname Markiplier
Born June 28, 1989 (age 33)
Birthplace Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Nationality American
Ethnicity Korean, German
Current Residence Los Angeles, California
Occupation YouTuber, Internet Personality
Years Active 2012-present
Subscribers 30+ million
Total Views 15+ billion
Associated Acts JackSepticeye, PewDiePie, CrankGameplays
Partner Amy Nelson
Catchphrase "Hello everybody, my name is Markiplier"
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

Markiplier, known off-camera as Mark Edward Fischbach, is one of the most influential and beloved personalities on YouTube and beyond. With over 30 million subscribers on YouTube alone, Markiplier has built an empire on comedy gaming videos, fan interactions, and philanthropic efforts.

Early Life and Background

Markiplier was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 28, 1989. His mother is Korean while his father was American with German heritage, giving Markiplier his Asian-American ethnic background. During his childhood, Markiplier‘s family moved frequently as his father served in the military. They ultimately settled in Cincinnati, Ohio where Markiplier spent his adolescence.

From a young age, Markiplier displayed creative talents and musical ability. He learned to play numerous instruments throughout school, including the trumpet, piano, drums, and more. After graduating from Milford High School, Markiplier enrolled at the University of Cincinnati where he pursued a biomedical engineering degree. However, he found his true passion laid elsewhere.

The Path to YouTube Stardom

After briefly working at a hospital, Markiplier decided to leave the engineering field to pursue other interests. A lifelong gamer and animation enthusiast, he began uploading sketch comedy shorts and Let‘s Play videos to YouTube under the handle "Markiplier" in early 2012.

His animated video game commentaries quickly gained popularity for their unique blend of humor, horror, and charisma. Markiplier offered entertaining reactions and discussions as he played indie games like Slender Man and popular titles like Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy‘s.

Within his first few years on YouTube, Markiplier hit several major subscriber milestones:

  • 1 million subscribers in April 2013
  • 3 million subscribers in December 2013
  • 5 million subscribers in June 2014
  • 10 million subscribers in July 2015

Propelled by his fan-favorite series, collaboration videos, and consistency, Markiplier eventually became the top subscribed solo gamer on YouTube. He also expanded beyond gaming content with animated parodies, sketch comedies, and vlogs giving fans a window into his personal life.

Philanthropy

In addition to his videos, Markiplier is also beloved for his charity work. He began hosting yearly fundraising live streams in 2013, with his first benefiting the Cincinnati Children‘s Hospital Medical Center.

Since then, Markiplier‘s charity live streams have raised over $3 million for various causes including:

  • Cancer research funds
  • Mental health programs
  • Disaster relief for hurricane and tornado victims
  • Youth homelessness organizations
  • Animal welfare groups

His generosity combined with his authenticity are part of what makes Markiplier such an admirable influencer.

Evolving an Empire

Over the past decade, Markiplier has expanded his presence across multiple platforms:

  • Launched clothing merch lines with tour pop-up shops
  • Created mobile games and apps under his Cloak brand
  • Formed the musical comedy trio Cyndago with friends Daniel Kyre and Ryan Magee
  • Co-created the sketch series "A Date With Markiplier" (2019)
  • Starred in YouTube Premium series "A Heist With Markiplier" (2019)
  • Continues collaborating with top YouTubers like JackSepticeye and CrankGameplays
  • Joined the podcast "Distractible" with Bob Muyskens and Wade Barnes
  • Released interactive book "You‘re Not Alone" (2020) guiding fans on making friends
  • Published fantasy novel "The Edge of Sleep" (2022) which debuted #1 on NYT Bestseller list

Markiplier‘s creative drive and passion for trying new things keeps his content feeling fresh even after a decade on YouTube.

Why Fans Love Markiplier

There are many factors that contribute to Markiplier‘s massive popularity after 10 years:

Humor

Markiplier has mastered the art of comedic timing and improv in his videos. Fans never know what hilarious reaction or quip he might offer next. He turns even mundane games into laugh riots with his signature goofy voices, running gags, and wacky editing.

Storytelling Ability

Whether narrating a let‘s play or describing his life in a vlog, Markiplier is a natural entertainer. He draws viewers in with his animated facial expressions and stellar voice acting chops. Fans say his dramatic storytelling skills could rival any radio host.

Authentic Personality

Markiplier‘s genuineness shines through in all his videos. Fans feel like they know him as a real person not just a distant celebrity. He openly shares personal stories, cherished memories, fears, and goals.

Interactivity

Dedicated to his community, Markiplier frequently responds to fan mail, answers questions on social media, and finds ways to involve his audience through polls and live streams. He‘s always coming up with creative new segments to connect with viewers.

Reliability

Markiplier adheres to a remarkably consistent upload schedule, putting out multiple videos daily regardless of circumstances. Fans never have to wait long for their next dose of Markiplier entertainment.

Impact and Legacy

It‘s undeniable that Markiplier has left his mark on the YouTube landscape. Just some of his achievements and accolades over the years include:

  • First solo gaming YouTuber to hit 30 million subscribers
  • Multiple Streamy Award wins for Comedy, Gaming, and Editing
  • 2016 honor from Make-A-Wish for his charitable efforts
  • Named a "Top gaming influencer" by Forbes (2017)
  • Emmy Award for The Game Theorists YouTube channel (2016)
  • Featured in YouTube‘s national "YouTube Made Me Do It" ad campaign (2020)
  • Billions of worldwide views and hours watched on his videos
  • Inspiring a new generation of gaming commentators and vloggers

Thanks to his consistent hard work, creativity, and business savvy, Markiplier has more than earned his place as the undisputed king of YouTube gaming. It‘s hard to imagine the platform without his goofy humor and compassionate spirit lifting up his 30+ million loyal followers on a daily basis. Here‘s to the next 10 years of Markiplier magic!