In a world where comedy often walks a fine line, Nikki Glaser stands tall as one of the boldest, funniest, and most unapologetically honest voices in entertainment. From viral roasts and hit TV shows to sold-out tours and podcast fame, Glaser has built a career by turning raw honesty into an art form. In 2025, she made history as the first solo female host of the Golden Globe Awards, cementing her place among Hollywood’s most influential comedians.
Born Nikki Rene Glaser on June 1, 1984, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she grew up in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood, Missouri. The daughter of Julie and Edward Glaser, Nikki discovered her love for storytelling and humor early in life. After graduating from Kirkwood High School, she briefly attended the University of Colorado Boulder before transferring to the University of Kansas, where she earned a degree in English Literature. It was during college that her passion for stand-up began to take shape.
Nikki Glaser’s career began when she started performing stand-up at 18, inspired by comedy icons like Sarah Silverman. Her first major breaks came with appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, and Last Comic Standing.
Her fearless humor led to her own Comedy Central show, “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” (2016) — a groundbreaking, sex-positive talk show that blended wit, honesty, and social commentary. Glaser followed it up with two acclaimed stand-up specials: Perfect (2016) and Bangin’ (2019), the latter streaming on Netflix to worldwide praise.
She also became a fixture in the legendary Comedy Central Roasts, taking on stars like Rob Lowe, Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin, and Tom Brady. Her set at the Roast of Tom Brady (2024) was hailed as one of the funniest of the night, reaffirming her status as the reigning queen of roasts.
Beyond stand-up, Nikki has proven herself as a versatile entertainer. She hosted dating shows like “Blind Date” (2019) and “FBoy Island” (2021–2023), as well as its spinoff “Lovers and Liars” (2024–2025) on The CW. Her E! reality series, Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?, offered fans a candid glimpse into her personal and professional life.
Glaser has also appeared in hit comedy films like “Trainwreck” (2015) and “I Feel Pretty” (2018), and competed on shows such as Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer, where she finished third as “Snowstorm.”
Nikki’s sharp comedic style and authenticity have earned her critical recognition and multiple award nominations.
Her 2024 HBO special, “Someday You’ll Die,” received nominations for the Golden Globe, Grammy, and Primetime Emmy Awards — and won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy/Variety Special.
In January 2025, she made history by hosting the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, becoming the first woman to host the show solo. Her performance was praised for its wit, poise, and perfectly-timed humor, marking another milestone in her trailblazing career.
Offstage, Nikki Glaser’s life is as grounded as it is inspiring. She currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, close to her family. She’s been open about her personal journey — overcoming alcohol addiction, giving up smoking, and healing from an eating disorder. Nikki credits her recovery to self-awareness and the writings of Allen Carr.
A committed vegan and animal-rights advocate since 2016, she continues to use her platform to promote compassion and healthy living. Fans also know her as an enthusiastic Taylor Swift fan, attending more than 20 shows during Swift’s Eras Tour.