Michael Che — From Soho T-Shirts to Prime-Time Fame

The Humble Beginnings Behind the Name

Michael Che was born Michael Che Campbell on May 19, 1983 in Manhattan, New York.  Growing up as the youngest of seven children on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Che’s early years were shaped by economic hardship and a gritty city upbringing.  His middle name, “Che,” pays homage to the revolutionary Che Guevara — a name his father chose as part reverence, part defiance. 

School offered a creative outlet: Che attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he honed his talents not as an athlete, but as an artist. Before comedy found him, Che had a brief stint working at a Toyota dealership and experimented with his art — painting acrylic portraits of celebrities and printing them on T-shirts, which he sold on the streets of SoHo. That period of hustling and self-expression would foreshadow the grit and wit that would define his comedic voice.

From Open-Mic Nights to National Television

Comedy wasn’t Che’s first career — but it quickly became his calling. Around 2009, he began doing stand-up, performing multiple gigs nightly at New York clubs.  By 2012, his tool set had expanded to late-night television when he made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Soon critics began to take notice. In 2013, he was named one of “10 Comics to Watch” by Variety and one of the “50 Funniest People” by Rolling Stone — a rare and telling endorsement of his sharp, socially conscious style.  That same year, he landed a writing gig with Saturday Night Live (SNL), a major milestone for any comedian.

By 2014, Che’s on-camera career took off: he became a correspondent on The Daily Show before quickly transitioning back to SNL — this time as the co-anchor of the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, alongside Colin Jost. That move made Che the first African-American to hold the Weekend Update desk — a historical moment for the storied sketch show.

Over time, Che and Jost proved to be a commanding comedic duo. Their chemistry and shared creative sensibility led to them becoming co-head writers for SNL from 2017 until 2022.

Beyond SNL, Che expanded his repertoire: he delivered two highly regarded stand-up specials on streaming platforms — Michael Che Matters (2016) and Michael Che: Shame the Devil (2021).  He also created and starred in the HBO Max sketch-comedy series That Damn Michael Che, further demonstrating his range as a comedic writer-producer.

Measuring Success: On-Stage, On-Screen — and On the Balance Sheet

Thanks to a multi-faceted career spanning stand-up, television, writing, and production, Che has steadily climbed the ranks of comedy’s high earners. According to one of the more widely cited estimates, his net worth stands at approximately US $10 million.

That said, net worth estimates for comedians often vary depending on the source. Some earlier valuations had placed Che’s wealth around US $4–5 million, considering his earlier years on SNL and fewer external projects. The jump to the higher estimate reflects his growing footprint — more specials, production credits, and the enduring cultural resonance of his comedic voice.

The Quiet Footprint: Privacy, Principles, and Public Life

Despite being a public figure, Che has largely kept his personal life out of tabloid headlines. There are no confirmed reports of him being married or having children.

What we do know, however, is that Che has used his platform to spotlight social issues. In 2020, following the death of his grandmother due to COVID-19, he publicly criticized housing conditions for low-income New Yorkers. In a gesture of solidarity, he offered to pay one month’s rent for all 160 apartments in the New York City Housing Authority building where his grandmother had lived.

His approach to fame seems less about glamour and more about influence — sometimes uncomfortable, often biting, but always grounded in his roots.

Why Michael Che Matters — Beyond the Laughs

Michael Che’s journey from selling T-shirts in SoHo to anchoring one of television’s most enduring comedy institutions speaks to his persistence, talent, and singular voice. His comedy often intersects with race, politics, and social commentary — proving that humor can be both provocative and purposeful.

By blending stand-up rawness with mainstream appeal, Che has carved out a space for satire that doesn’t shy away from discomfort. And with a growing body of work — including stand-up specials and his own sketch series — he’s not just performing jokes; he’s shaping discourse.

His professional arc also exemplifies a broader truth: success in entertainment doesn’t always come fast, but for those with hustle, perspective, and timing — like Michael Che — it can come hard.

Quick Facts

• Full birthdate / birthday: May 19, 1983

• Net worth (estimate): US $10 million

• Known for: Stand-up comedy, writing/acting on Saturday Night Live, Netflix stand-up specials, sketch-comedy series production