Ray William Johnson, 42, has become synonymous with YouTube fame, with a net worth of $10 million. Johnson’s journey to success began from his college days and evolved into an illustrious career spanning comedy, music, and filmmaking.
Early life and beginnings
Ray William Johnson was born on August 14, 1981, and grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He initially pursued a career in law at Columbia University. However, his life took a different turn when he discovered YouTube. Johnson began watching videos and soon decided to create his own. His early content, simple video blogs or “vlogs”, attracted about 30 viewers on a now-deleted channel.
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In April 2009, Johnson launched the “Ray William Johnson” channel. By the end of the year, it became the first YouTube channel to reach five million subscribers, with nearly two billion total views. Johnson’s understanding of YouTube trends inspired the creation of his popular show “Equals Three”, which featured a mix of viral videos and commentary.
Rising to Stardom with “Equals Three”
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“Equals Three” became a groundbreaking series that gained immense popularity very quickly. Johnson initially produced these videos from his New York City apartment. In 2011, he partnered with Maker Studios to create high-quality content from his Culver City, California set. The partnership also launched the Spanish-language version of the series, “Igual a Tres.”
The success of Johnson’s “Equals Three” set a precedent on YouTube, but his journey was not without challenges. In 2012, he had to part ways with Maker Studios due to a disagreement over contract terms. He claimed the studio pressured him to sign a restrictive contract that demanded a significant share of his income and intellectual property rights. Johnson decided to form his own production company, Equals Three Studios, and continue the series independently.
Diversifying with “YourFavoriteMartian”
In January 2011, Johnson ventured into music with a new collaborative YouTube channel called “YourFavoriteMartian”. The channel featured animated comedy music videos performed by a virtual band of cartoon characters. Johnson voiced the lead singer, Puff Puff Humbert, and wrote most of the lyrics and beats. The channel became another popular project, showcasing Johnson’s versatility.
Despite its success, “YourFavoriteMartian” was short-lived. In November 2012, Johnson ended the project after parting ways with Maker Studios to focus on other endeavors.
Changes to new projects
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By December 2013, Johnson announced that he would step down as host of “Equals Three” to pursue new projects. His final episode as host aired on March 12, 2014. The show continued with new hosts, including Robbie Motz and Kaja Martin, but it was Johnson’s era that left a lasting impact.
Johnson debuted his first scripted series, “Riley Rewind”, in December 2013. Initially released on Facebook, the series featured the story of a teenager with the ability to change time and soon garnered millions of views. Johnson continued to create content for his main channel and introduced series such as “Booze Lightyear”, “Top 6” and “Comedians On”.
Life beyond YouTube
Outside of YouTube, Johnson has explored various media projects. In 2017, he starred in the indie film “Who’s Driving Doug”, in which he played a new driver for a disabled hermit. Johnson has also appeared in commercials for “Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie” and DiGiorno Pizza. Additionally, he co-founded the film production company Mom & Pop Empire, and co-produced the film “Manson Family Vacation”, which premiered at South by Southwest and was later acquired by Netflix.
Legacy and continuing influence
Ray William Johnson’s impact on YouTube and digital media is undeniable. From his early vlogs to his pioneering series, Johnson’s creativity and business acumen have left a lasting legacy. His journey from a law student to a YouTube star and filmmaker exemplifies the diverse opportunities available in the digital age. Today, Johnson continues to inspire aspiring content creators, demonstrating the potential of online platforms to transform lives and careers.
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Category: Net worth