Bert Kreischer built a career on stories about heavy drinking, wild parties, and near-death adventures. But a real health scare in 2023 forced him to rethink the party lifestyle that made him famous. Here’s how the comedian’s blood clot diagnosis, sobriety shifts, and Netflix milestones are reshaping his story.
Net worth (2024): $13 million · Netflix specials: 3 (The Machine, Secret Time, Hey Big Boy) · Podcasts hosted: Bertcast, Something’s Burning, 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura · DVT event year: 2023 · Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Quick snapshot
- Deep vein thrombosis diagnosed 2023 (Fox News Digital)
- Blood clot in leg from travel (Fox News Digital)
- Saved from bus fire by delay (Fox News Digital)
- Stand-up comedian since 1997 (Netflix Is A Joke Festival)
- Netflix specials: The Machine, Secret Time, Hey Big Boy (Netflix Is A Joke Festival)
- Podcast host: Bertcast, 2 Bears 1 Cave (Fox News Digital)
- Wife: LeeAnn Kreischer (m. 2003) (Netflix Is A Joke Festival)
- Two daughters: Georgia and Ila (Netflix Is A Joke Festival)
- Resides in Los Angeles (Netflix Is A Joke Festival)
- Not permanently sober (Fox News Digital)
- Has taken extended breaks (Funniest Standups (Facebook))
- Open about alcohol use in comedy (Fox News Digital)
Six facts that define the comedian’s public profile, from his birth to his most recent health event.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Albert Charles Kreischer Jr. |
| Born | November 3, 1972, Tampa, Florida |
| Occupation | Stand-up comedian, podcaster, actor |
| Netflix shows | Free Bert, comedies The Machine, Secret Time, Hey Big Boy |
| Notable health event | DVT diagnosed June 2023 |
| Spouse | LeeAnn Kreischer (m. 2003) |
What is Bert Kreischer’s medical condition?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis
In June 2023, Kreischer was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis after experiencing severe leg pain. Fox News Digital reported that a significant clot was found behind his knee, with additional clots in his lungs (Fox News Digital).
How DVT saved him from a bus fire in 2023
The clot scare forced Kreischer to delay his tour bus departure. That bus later caught fire, and Kreischer told Fox News Digital the delay “may have saved my life” (Fox News Digital).
Travel clot risks and prevention
Long-haul travel increases DVT risk, especially for frequent flyers like touring comedians. Kreischer’s case highlights the need for movement and hydration during flights, though no specific medical guidance was issued for his situation.
A comedian whose act relies on rowdy, alcohol-fueled stories was sidelined by a blood clot that turned into a literal fire escape — the health scare that became a punchline.
Is Bert Kreischer sober?
Current sobriety status as of 2025
Kreischer is not permanently sober. He has publicly discussed taking breaks from alcohol, notably after the DVT diagnosis when he was on blood thinners (Fox News Digital). A Facebook post from a fan page reported that he said he was “taking a break from drinking” after the leg pain scare (Funniest Standups (Facebook)).
History of alcohol use and party persona
His early fame came from a 1997 Rolling Stone feature naming him the “Number One Partier in the Nation” – a title that fueled his stand-up identity. Years of heavy drinking became central to his material, but also prompted health concerns.
Bert Kreischer vs. Joe Rogan sobriety discussion
Kreischer and Joe Rogan remain friends despite different sobriety paths. Rogan, who has been sober for years, has discussed Kreischer’s drinking on The Joe Rogan Experience. Kreischer has acknowledged the dynamic but continues to drink in moderation on his own terms.
For a comedian whose brand is built on partying, even temporary sobriety creates a professional identity crisis. Kreischer’s audience expects the machine, not the medic.
Did Netflix cancel Free Bert?
Free Bert season 2 renewal
Netflix renewed Free Bert for a second season, according to Kreischer’s official site (Bert Kreischer official site). The show is a cooking and talk show hybrid where Kreischer hosts celebrity guests.
Release date and format
Season 2 debuted in 2024. The show features Kreischer cooking with guests while mixing stand-up and conversation. No specific episode count or exact premiere date was listed on the official site.
Show premise and guest list
Guests have included Tom Segura, Snoop Dogg, and other comedians. The format leans into Kreischer’s chaotic energy, with the kitchen serving as a stage for improvised banter.
What movie is based off of Bert Kreischer’s life?
Van Wilder (2002) and its inspiration
Kreischer’s college reputation as a party animal inspired the character of Van Wilder, though the film is not a direct biopic. The 2002 comedy starred Ryan Reynolds and was loosely based on Kreischer’s Rolling Stone profile (Fox News Digital).
The Machine (2023) film
Kreischer’s own stand-up routine about a real Russian train trip was adapted into a 2023 film, The Machine, in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself (Fox News Digital). The film grossed moderate box office returns.
Rolling Stone ‘Number One Partier’ article
The 1997 feature by Brendan I. Koerner set everything in motion. It documented Kreischer’s antics at Florida State University and was later optioned by Hollywood.
What health issues does Bert Kreischer have?
Deep vein thrombosis
DVT is the most serious documented health condition, confirmed by multiple sources. The clots in his leg and lungs required immediate treatment and hospitalization.
Weight fluctuations
Kreischer has discussed weight management, including a goal of losing 95 pounds with the help of tirzepatide (Fox News Digital). His 2025 Netflix special Lucky highlights a 45-pound weight loss (Netflix).
Alcohol-related health concerns
No other chronic illness has been publicly confirmed, but the DVT scare and subsequent sobriety breaks suggest alcohol was a contributing factor.
Timeline signal
- 1997 – Rolling Stone names Kreischer “Number One Partier in the Nation.”
- 2002 – Van Wilder released, loosely based on his college persona.
- 2003 – Marries LeeAnn.
- 2013 – “The Machine” story goes viral on YouTube.
- 2020 – Netflix special Hey Big Boy released.
- June 2023 – Diagnosed with DVT; bus fire incident.
- 2024 – Free Bert renewed for season 2.
- 2025 – Netflix special Lucky released.
- 2026 – Permission to Party tour announced.
Confirmed facts
- Kreischer had a DVT diagnosis in 2023 (Fox News Digital).
- He avoided a bus fire due to a hospital delay (Fox News Digital).
- Free Bert season 2 was ordered by Netflix (Bert Kreischer official site).
- He is not permanently sober (Fox News Digital).
What’s unclear
- Exact date of his last drink.
- Whether DVT was recurrent or a single occurrence.
- Full extent of alcohol-related health effects.
“The blood clot scare forced me to figure out my feelings without alcohol.”
— Bert Kreischer, via Fox News Digital
“He’s taking a break from drinking after the leg pain scare.”
— Funniest Standups (Facebook), citing Kreischer’s own statement
The pattern is clear: Kreischer’s health scare didn’t end his career – it gave him a new chapter. For a comedian who built his brand on excess, the DVT diagnosis and subsequent sobriety breaks have become material in themselves. The implication for fans: expect a slightly more reflective, but still boisterous, Bert Kreischer moving forward.
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En detaljerad tidslinje över Berts medicinska problem och nykterhet finns i en separat sammanställning.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bert Kreischer’s net worth?
Kreischer’s net worth is estimated at $13 million as of 2024, driven by stand-up tours, Netflix specials, and podcast advertising.
What is The Machine about?
The Machine is a 2023 action comedy film based on Kreischer’s stand-up routine about a real trip to Russia where he got involved with a train full of armed men.
Who is Bert Kreischer’s wife?
He married LeeAnn Kreischer in 2003. She has appeared on his podcast and in his Netflix specials.
How many Netflix specials does Bert Kreischer have?
He has released four Netflix specials: The Machine (2016), Secret Time (2018), Hey Big Boy (2020), and Lucky (2025).
Does Bert Kreischer have children?
Yes, two daughters: Georgia and Ila.
What podcast is Bert Kreischer on?
He hosts Bertcast, Something’s Burning, and co-hosts 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura.
Is Bert Kreischer touring in 2025?
Yes, he announced the “Permission to Party” tour for 2026, with 2025 dates including the Lucky special promotion.
For a comedian who once defined himself by partying, the DVT scare and its aftermath have forced a reckoning. The choice for Kreischer is clear: evolve his act to include the sober moments, or risk the road catching up with him.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.