Arin Hanson
A YouTube animator turned Let's Play kingpin whose raw, comedic fury at video games built a multimedia empire and defined online gaming humor.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American YouTuber, actor, animator,and voice actor·Birthday: January 6·Millennials
Biography
Arin Hanson's digital career began in the wild west of Newgrounds, where his Flash cartoons, created under the alias Egoraptor, blended hyperkinetic animation with sharp, absurdist humor. His 'Sequelitis' video essays dissected game design with a passionate, ranting style that resonated deeply with a generation of players. This online persona became the foundation for something larger: Game Grumps. What started as a casual Let's Play channel with friend Jon Jafari evolved into a comedy powerhouse. Hanson, as the frequently exasperated 'Grump', mastered a specific alchemy of genuine gameplay, improvised riffing, and explosive, meme-worthy frustration. He transformed Game Grumps from a side project into a multi-channel network, a live touring show, and a brand that championed other creators. His journey from solo animator to the head of a collaborative comedy institution mirrors the evolution of online entertainment itself.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Arin was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Arin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Arin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-created and stars in Game Grumps, one of the longest-running and most successful Let's Play channels on YouTube, with billions of views.
- His animated series 'Game Grumps Animated', often using audio from the show, spawned a massive community of fan animators.
- Voiced the character of Suzy's Knight in the popular animated series 'Helluva Boss'.
- His early Flash cartoon 'Metal Gear Awesome' was a viral internet phenomenon in the mid-2000s.
Did You Know?
He is a self-taught animator and musician.
He met his wife and frequent collaborator, artist Suzy Berhow, on the anime convention circuit.
He performed voice work for the game 'Portal 2' as a minor character, a fact he often jokes about.
Before YouTube, he worked as a graphic designer for a company that made motorcycle catalogs.
“I'm not here to be good at video games, I'm here to have fun.”
