Andrew Santino

Andrew Santino is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and podcast host known for his raspy voice, self-deprecating humor, and prominent role in the comedy podcasting world. He stars as Mike on the FX series Dave and played George in the acclaimed Netflix limited series Beef. Santino co-hosts two popular podcasts: Bad Friends with Bobby Lee and Whiskey Ginger, both of which have amassed millions of subscribers. His stand-up specials Homefield Advantage (2017) and Cheeto Santino (2021) showcase his conversational storytelling style. Santino is respected for his versatility across stand-up, acting, and podcasting, and he continues to tour and develop new projects as of 2026.[edit]

Santino grew up in a working-class Irish-American household in the Chicago area, where he developed an early love for comedy by watching stand-up specials and comedy films. He attended high school in the Chicago suburbs before moving to Arizona to study film at Arizona State University. During college, he started performing at open mic nights in Tempe, testing material and honing his stage presence. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue stand-up full-time, working odd jobs like telemarketing and delivery driving while building his reputation on the LA comedy club circuit. A pivotal moment was his decision to leave Arizona and commit to comedy in LA, where he began landing small television roles and forming connections with future comedy stars.[edit]

Santino's first television appearance was on The Office in 2009, followed by small roles on Parks and Recreation and The League. His first recurring role came on the Showtime series I'm Dying Up Here (2017-2018), about the 1970s LA comedy scene. He gained wider recognition playing Scott Holmes in the cult film The Disaster Artist (2017), directed by James Franco. In 2020, he began starring as Mike on the FX comedy Dave, which ran for three seasons. That same year, he co-founded the hugely popular podcast Bad Friends with Bobby Lee, which became one of the top comedy podcasts on YouTube. In 2023, Santino starred as George in the Netflix series Beef, a dark comedy that won multiple Emmy Awards. He continues to perform stand-up, release specials, and host his podcasts.[edit]

Santino projects a laid-back, everyman persona on and off stage. His signature look includes an unbuttoned shirt, red hair, and a casual demeanor. His stand-up blends personal anecdotes with observational humor, often touching on relationships, everyday frustrations, and his own awkwardness. In the podcasting world, he is known for his loose, improvisational chemistry with Bobby Lee on Bad Friends, which has cultivated a loyal fanbase. Media coverage highlights his work ethic and versatility, while fans appreciate his self-deprecating wit and relatable stories. His social media voice is friendly and self-aware, often sharing behind-the-scenes content from shows and podcasts. Santino's fans do not have an official fandom name but identify strongly with the Bad Friends community.[edit]

Andrew Santino commands a dedicated following defined less by a formalized name and more by an intense engagement with his digital footprint and podcast network. His audience, often identifying through his social media handle "Cheetos" or as listeners of *Whiskey Ginger*, operates with a loyalty that drives the massive reach of his content rather than organized merchandise campaigns. This community actively consumes and disseminates clips from his role in *Dave* and his 2025 special *White Noise*, which became a focal point for discussions regarding censorship after Santino recounted a conflict with Disney executives over jokes about "Disney Adults." The cultural mythology surrounding Santino is heavily anchored in his chaotic dynamic with co-host Bobby Lee on *Bad Friends*, where their unfiltered banter frequently leads to venue disruptions. A particularly prominent legend emerged in June 2026 when both men were photographed running down Hollywood Boulevard in their underwear to promote *The Bad Game Show*, an event that cemented their reputation for boundary-pushing humor. Santino has also transitioned into a significant media mogul role through a major distribution deal with Wave in early 2026 and ongoing tours at venues like the Borgata Event Center. Despite this high level of activity and influence within the comedy sphere, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Andrew Santino in August 2026 and determined that he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. He is not ranked among the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list.[edit]

Andrew Santino adopted the nickname Cheeto Santino due to his pale complexion and red hair, which reminded fans of the snack food. Before pursuing comedy, he worked as a telemarketer and delivery driver, and he briefly shared a college dormitory with comedian John Mulaney. He studied improv at The Second City in Chicago and remains an avid supporter of the city's Cubs, Bears, and Bulls teams. His distinctive raspy voice has become a defining trademark of his performance style, complementing his self-deprecating humor. A popular story among fans recounts how Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels reportedly flew Santino to New York solely to reject him, a tale that underscores his early struggles against gatekeepers. Another significant chapter in his career folklore involves a reported conflict with Disney executives during the production of his Hulu special White Noise, where he claimed they heavily edited his jokes about Disney Adults, leading to what he described as a small war over the content. These narratives highlight his persistence and commitment to unfiltered material despite corporate constraints. Fans also widely retell the incident from June 2026 where Santino and Bobby Lee ran down Hollywood Boulevard in their underwear as a promotional stunt for *The Bad Game Show*. This event solidified their reputation for chaotic, boundary-pushing humor that the community eagerly anticipates and shares.[edit]

Santino grew up in a working-class Irish-American family in the Chicago area. He has not publicly shared the names or professions of his parents or siblings. He is private about his family life and has no known spouse, children, or pets. As of 2026, he resides in Los Angeles, where he focuses on his career.[edit]

Santino is best known for his collaborations with Bobby Lee on Bad Friends and with Lil Dicky (Dave Burd) on Dave. He co-starred with Ali Wong and Steven Yeun in Beef, and worked with James Franco on The Disaster Artist. He was briefly a college roommate of John Mulaney. He frequently appears on podcasts hosted by Bert Kreischer, Tom Segura, and Christina Pazsitzky.[edit]

Andrew Santino has kept his romantic life extremely private. There are no publicly confirmed relationships, engagements, marriages, or divorces reported by credible sources. He has not been linked to any high-profile partners. As of 2026, Santino is reportedly single and has not publicly announced being in a relationship. He has no known children.[edit]

Updated for 2026, Andrew Santino's net worth is estimated at $4 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His primary income source stems from his starring role on the FX series Dave, where he reportedly earns in the tens of thousands per episode. The Netflix series Beef also contributed significantly to his financial growth. His podcasting ventures serve as major revenue generators: Bad Friends and Whiskey Ginger earn through YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, Patreon subscriptions, and live show tickets. Santino also tours regularly as a stand-up comedian, selling out venues across the US. Additional income streams include merchandise sales for his podcasts and occasional film roles. His net worth has grown steadily since the launch of Bad Friends in 2020, and he continues to invest in new projects.[edit]