Featured image credit to Jumancha on Wikimedia Commons.
Joe Rogan boasts a diverse circle of friends cultivated through his vibrant and multifaceted life. His prowess in three distinct domains—stand-up comedy, the UFC, and the JRE podcast—has connected him with acquaintances from each of these worlds. Additionally, he has forged friendships stemming from various other interests such as hunting, fitness, and even a shared love for shooting pool.
Intrigued by this wide-ranging network, let’s embark on an in-depth investigation, leveraging resources like his podcast, YouTube channel, Instagram, and Twitter, to compile a comprehensive list of Joe Rogan’s most notable friendships, from an outsider’s perspective.
25) Whitney Cummings
On JRE episodes: #732, #793, #923, #1016, #1067, #1328, #1529, #1654, #1850
Cummings has been a reoccurring guest on Rogan’s podcast quite a few times and is a fellow comedian. Perhaps, what makes her so cool is her ability to “shoot the crap” with the guys.
Cummings and Rogan were both part of a star-studded lineup at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, prior to Rogan’s move to Austin, Texas. She is part of Rogan’s inner circle of close comedic friends.
Also see: The 15 HOTTEST Women on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
24) Jocko Willink
On JRE episodes: #729, #962, #1391, #1492, #1740
Jocko Willink is one of the most famous Navy SEALs in the world and a good buddy of Rogan. They have both hung out outside of the JRE podcast, including going hunting together.
Willink self-described himself as a person who doesn’t need constant close contact with his best friends. They can go months at a time without speaking but know that they are both there for each other when needed.
***Also see: Will Jocko Willink and David Goggins Ever Do a Podcast Together?
23) Tommy Jr.
On JRE episode: none
Rogan has been playing pool for many decades and keeps a billiards table in his podcast studio. He’s often mentioned playing pool with his buddy Tommy Jr., from when he lived in the North East prior to moving to L.A. in the 90’s.
My great friend for over 20 years, the powerful Tommy Jr. Throwing heat at @amsterdamusq https://t.co/yAZO7B7rG0
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) April 17, 2015
Not much is known about Tommy Jr. other than he is a long-time pool buddy of Rogan. While not famous, Rogan mentioned on his podcast that when he travels to New York, he often tries to set aside some time to visit his buddy Tommy Jr. to shoot some pool.
22) Steven Rinella
On JRE episodes: #176, #312, #348, #442, #540, #709, #879, #971, #1204, #1341, #1559, #1716, #1912
Rinella is a superior outdoorsman, hunter, and host of the Netflix show MeatEater. His profound knowledge about how to hunt, kill, and cook wild game is second to none.
Rinella has been credited for teaching Rogan how to hunt, and took him on his first hunt in 2012. Rogan had desired to hunt for a while, because he knew there was a disconnect between society and meat.
Nowadays, Rogan eats mostly meat that is wild game, preferring it over store-bought meat, citing that is healthier – antibiotic and hormone free, natural, free-range, and organic.
*Also see: The Ultimate Joe Rogan Diet Guide
21) Dana White
On JRE episodes: #327, #723
Dana White, the current president and former co-owner of UFC, is a long-time friend of Joe Rogan. Rogan first began working for UFC in 1997, and again in 2002-present.
White was successful in luring Rogan into his current position as a color commentator for the big UFC fights. Rogan initially just wanted to go to fights and get drunk with his buddies, but White knew that he was the best talent for the job.
In 2002, they agreed that in exchange for free tickets for him and his buddies, Rogan would provide interviewing and commentating skills.
White has launched some flattering compliments about Rogan: “He’s educated more people in mixed martial arts than anybody ever. He’s the best fight announcer who has ever called a fight in the history of fighting.”
20) Ian Edwards
On JRE episodes: #272, #314, #495, #795, #992, #1324
Ian Edwards is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and frequent travel buddy of Joe Rogan. He’s been a writer for The Big House, starring Kevin Hart, and numerous other shows on Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, and ABC’s Black-ish.
Edwards and Rogan have known each other for over 25 years and often travel together to go do comedy shows in certain cities. They had a hilarious back-and-forth on who can catch the each other sleeping on the plane and then posting it to social media. Check it out:
19) David Goggins
On JRE episodes: #1080, #1212, #1906
Goggins, nicknamed “the baddest man on the planet,” is one of the most inspiring guests to ever appear on the JRE podcast. He is the only man ever to become both a Navy SEAL and an Army Ranger, in addition to graduating from the Air Force’s Tactical Air Controller training.
Goggins and Rogan keep in touch every month or so, usually in the form of Goggins sending him a message to keep working hard. Rogan mentioned a hilarious happy birthday message he received from him (YouTube) during a podcast.
***Also see: David Goggins Diet: Eating for High Performance
18) Doug Stanhope
On JRE episodes: #43, #163, #301, #500, #751, #1048, #1144, #1623, #1812
Doug Stanhope is a stand-up comedian, actor, and longtime friend of Joe Rogan. The two co-hosted The Man Show on the 4th and 5th seasons, airing in 2003-2004.
Although the start of their friendship is unclear, they have known each other since the 1990’s and have both been long-time performers at two of Los Angeles’s best comedy clubs: Hollywood Improv and The Comedy Store. Also, Stanhope visited and performed in Austin, TX at Rogan’s Comedy Mothership club.
17) Theo Von
On JRE episodes: #925, #1118, #1141, #1225, #1731, #1847, #1994
Theo Von is a stand-up comedian and successful podcaster. He’s been a recurring guest on other comedians’ podcasts, including Joe Rogan, Joey Diaz, Bryan Callen, Brendan Schaub, and Bobby Lee.
Von thinks of Rogan as a mentor to him, and has described being on Rogan’s podcast as like “hanging out with your big brother and friends.”
16) Tom Papa
On JRE episodes: #609, #758, #802, #839, #882, #927, #966, #1011, #1129, #1165, #1281, #1333, #1424, #1473, #1549, #1662, #1789
Tom Papa is a stand-up comedian and XM Radio Host of the show Come To Papa. He’s been on Rogan’s podcast over 15 times, and those episodes are some of the funniest ever.
Early in his career, Papa toured with Jerry Seinfeld, and has since released numerous comedy specials on Netflix and Hulu. Also, he’s appeared on the late shows with David Letterman, Jay Leno, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien.
15) Cameron Hanes
On JRE episodes: #450, #567, #759, #815, #944, #957, #1013, #1074, #1112, #1365, #1542, #1730, #1819, #1997
Cam Hanes is a professional bowhunter, Under Armour sponsored athlete, author, and long-distance runner.
Hanes is a beast in the gym and considers that a requirement for the type of hunting he does while tracking wild animals in the wilderness, often through rough terrain and up mountains. He mentored Rogan with his archery and bowhunting skills, and the two have been on numerous hunts together.
14) Greg Fitzsimmons
On JRE episodes: #190, #349, #466, #542, #615, #658, #841, #892, #941, #1025, #1082, #1223, #1307, #1378, #1452, #1688, #1803, #1876
Greg Fitzsimmons is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and frequent guest on the JRE podcast.
Although he is great at stand-up, Fitzsimmons is perhaps the most successful at comedy writing. He’s worked with Ellen DeGeneres, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Maher, Chelsea Handler, Louis C.K., and Wanda Sykes. He won four Daytime Emmy awards for his work on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Fitzsimmons has been a long-time friend of Joe Rogan and even lived with Rogan’s girlfriend at one point, early on in their careers.
13) Shane Gillis
On JRE episodes: #1685, #1728, #1764, #1802, #1834, #1866, #1907, #1926, #1957, #1991, #2030
Shane Gillis’s popularity has exploded in the last several years, thanks in large part to becoming a frequent guest on the JRE podcast. Gillis is one of Rogan’s favorite guests to have on the show because of his hilarious storytelling abilities.
Gillis has performed shows at Rogan’s Comedy Mothership comedy club. In 2021, he released a comedy special Shane Gillis: Live in Austin and has relocated to Austin, Texas.
12) Brendan Schaub
On JRE episodes: #486, #494, #619, #671, #706, #734, #736, #768, #774, #788, #799, #819, #871, #890, #893, #948, #1012, #1304, #1603, #1811 and numerous JRE Fight Companions.
Brendan Schaub is a former UFC fighter, podcast host, and stand-up comedian. Standing at 6’4”, he fought in the heavyweight division with a record of 10-5 before officially retiring in 2015.
Schaub’s over 50 appearances on the JRE podcast are evident that he is a close friend with Rogan. A turning point in Schaub’s career was when Rogan told him that he appeared to have one foot out the door (of fighting) and that maybe he should consider retiring. The conversation has since been dubbed by fans as the “intervention.”
11) Tony Hinchcliffe
On JRE episodes: #350, #510, #545, #586, #722, #723, #747, #843, #856, #903, #1079, #1192, #1400, #1471, #1563, #1586, #1720, #1750, #1813, #1821, #1872, #1948
Tony Hinchcliffe, a multifaceted talent in the world of comedy, is known for his stand-up prowess and writing skills, even earning a coveted Netflix special titled “One Shot.” His podcast, “Kill Tony,” was a standout in the comedy scene, recorded at The Comedy Store, a venue frequently frequented by Joe Rogan, who has been a mainstay there for many years.
Notably, both Hinchcliffe and Rogan have relocated to Austin, Texas, and Tony is a regular performer at Rogan’s Comedy Mothership club. Furthermore, Hinchcliffe has graced the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast as a frequent guest and was a notable opener for comedy tours headlined by Jeff Ross and Joe Rogan himself.
10) Joey Diaz
On JRE episodes: (50+) – #1140, #1190, #1220, #1319, #1409, #1448, #1523, #1778, #1973, #
Born in Havana, Cuba, Joey Diaz is a stand-up comedian, podcast host, actor, and close friend of Joe Rogan. He moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in New Jersey.
As an actor, Diaz had a prominent role in The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler, and has a role in the Sopranos movie – The Many Saints of Newark.
Diaz has been a frequent JRE podcast guest since the beginning and he is one of the funniest guests. With Rogan now living in Austin, Texas, Diaz also moved out of Los Angeles to go back home to New Jersey. Diaz said about their relationship: “it has been a good run.”
9) Tim Dillon
On JRE episodes: #1251, #1390, #1457, #1525, #1544, #1555, #1610, #1677, #1752, #1860, #2019
Tim Dillon, a comedian and host of The Tim Dillon Show, has become a regular on the JRE podcast. He is one of Rogan’s favorite guests because of his intensity and opinionated, yet intelligent, stances on social issues and politics.
8) Ari Shaffir
On JRE episodes: (50+) – #1686, #1728, #1750, #1764, #1802, #1834, #1866, #1879, #1892, #1907, #1966, #2030
Ari Shaffir is a stand-up comedian, actor, and producer. He first reached notoriety for his video series The Amazing Racist, and has been a long-time guest on the JRE podcast, including appearing as early as episode #3. He also participated in the Sober October challenges, with Joe Rogan, Bert Kreischer, and Tom Segura.
7) Bert Kreischer
On JRE episodes: #1007, #1036, #1160, #1405, #1446, #1712, #1821, #1879, #1892, #1954, #1990
Bert Kreischer is a stand-up comedian, podcast host, and long-time guest of the JRE podcast. He co-hosts 2 Bears 1 Cave with buddy Tom Segura.
Kreischer is the reason his buddies Joe Rogan, Tom Segura, and Ari Shaffir started Sober October because they were concerned about Kreischer’s drinking and weight.
6) Duncan Trussell
On JRE episodes: #55, #84, #103, #110, #130, #139, #141, #147, #156, #166, #179, #200, #400, #433, #602, #666, #1051, #1075, #1313, #1464, #1444…and more
From Asheville, North Carolina, Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, actor, podcast host, and writer. He has a podcast called The Duncan Trussell Family Hour.
As evidenced by his numerous appearances on the early days of the JRE podcast, he has been a long-time friend of Joe Rogan. They both like to have fun on the podcast while dressing up in costumes and having deep conversations.
Trussell starred with Joe Rogan on the show Joe Rogan Questions Everything, a 6 episode show that dived into topics like Bigfoot, UFOs, Robosapiens, psychics, and weaponized weather.
5) Young Jamie
Outside of his immediate family, Young Jamie is probably the person Rogan spends the most time with. Rogan has averaged about 3 podcast episodes per week for several years, and Young Jamie has been there for almost all of them.
View this post on InstagramAnother epic time on the Fight Companion yesterday with my brothers @eddiebravo10p @bryancallen and @brendanschaub!!
Young Jamie started working on the podcast in 2013, working with Rogan and Brian Redban, and then subsequently took over full-time duties once Redban left.
***Also see: Who Is Young Jamie? An Amazing Life Revealed – the BEST article on the internet about Young Jamie.
4) Lex Fridman
Lex Fridman, an expert in AI and robotics, has steadily become more and more involved in Rogan’s life and close circle of friends. He recently moved to Austin, Texas, along with Rogan, and both are frequently seen hanging with each other outside of work on social media.
Fridman’s life benefited greatly from the publicity that the JRE podcast gave him, and now, his podcast (Lex Fridman podcast) is one of the top in the world. He also has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has sparred with both Rogan and Elon Musk.
***Also see: Lex Fridman’s Unusual Path to Success: A Rapid Rise to Fame
3) Tom Segura
On JRE episodes: #1036, #1063, #1103, #1194, #1447, #1632, #1703, #1844, #1879, #1892, #2005
Tom Segura is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and podcast host of Your Moms House, which he co-hosts with his wife and fellow comedian Christina Pazsitzky.
One of the “Four Horseman” in the Sober October challenge, Tom Segura is a close friend with Rogan, Bert Kreischer, and Ari Shaffir. Segura also moved to Austin, Texas with Rogan as part of the mass exodus from Los Angels among their circle of friends.
***Also see: 10 Reasons Why Joe Rogan Moved to Austin, Texas
2) Eddie Bravo
On JRE episodes: (50+) #1867, JRE Fight Companions
Eddie Bravo is a stand-up comedian, martial arts teacher, Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert, and frequent guest on the JRE podcast. He founded 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, a lineage of BJJ that features a few signature moves, including the rubber guard, and performing without a karate gi.
Rogan is a practitioner of Bravo’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, and has even received a black belt from him. On the JRE podcast, Bravo is known as a guy who gets deeply caught up in conspiracy theories, sometimes to the point where Rogan and friends just roll their eyes.
1) Bryan Callen
On JRE episodes: (50+) – #1269, #1290, #1404, #1449, #2017
Bryan Callen is a stand-up comedian, actor, and podcast host, and has a several decade long friendship with Rogan.
Callen was on Rogan’s debut comedy album I’m Gonna Be Dead Someday released in year 2000. And when Rogan decided to go hunting for the first time, Rogan said that of all his friends, he wanted Callen to be the one to go with him.
Honorable Mention: Joe Rogan’s Dog – Marshall Mae Rogan
Marshall Mae Rogan is Rogan’s best non-human friend. He takes his dog everywhere, including the podcast studio and hill running.
Marshall is a golden retriever, has his own Instagram page, and has a ridiculous amount of followers. He loves to go running, hunt squirrels, and meet JRE podcast guests.
View this post on Instagram#Repost @marshallmaerogan with @Rep0stApp • • • • • • • It’s entirely possible that man landed on the moon, and tower 7 fell because of fires, but there’s no way Epstein killed himself. #awarewolf #lookintoit
Also see: Getting to Know Joe Rogan’s Dog: Marshall Mae Rogan
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