Cory Williams

Williams had previously been filming comedy sketches in his younger years. In 2006, Williams uploaded two videos to his YouTube channel, SMP Films of his first comedy sketches from 1999, when he lived in Turlock.{{Cite web |title=Turlocks Mr. Safety finds himself Naked and Afraid in Belize |url=https://www.turlockjournal.com/news/local/turlocks-mr-safety-finds-himself-naked-and-afraid-in-belize/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.turlockjournal.com}} These videos were called, "Turlock Cops" and "STOPMAN."

Williams started streaming online video in March 2005 on Newgrounds. He developed a following by posting original music tracks to his MySpace profile, leading MySpace to sponsor him on a cross-country tour. In September 2005, Golden Palace Casino sponsored Williams, making him the first video blogger to receive corporate sponsorship.{{Cite web |date=2006-11-12 |title=New Media Meets TV: Turlock Resident Attains Cult Status With Odd Web Films |url=https://www.redorbit.com/news/business/728030/new_media_meets_tv_turlock_resident_attains_cult_status_with/index.html/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Redorbit |language=en-US}}

Williams' video output includes music, sketch comedy and short films.

{{as of|2023|August}}, Williams' main YouTube channel, smpfilms, has acquired over 630,000 subscribers and over 195 million video views. He was one of the first 30 users to be chosen for YouTube's revenue-sharing "partner" program.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2007 |title=YouTube Elevates Most Popular Users to Partners |url=http://youtube-global.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/youtube-elevates-most-popular-users-to.html |access-date=September 29, 2013 |publisher=YouTube}}

"The Mean Kitty Song" or "Hey Little Sparta," based on his cat with the same name, is Williams' most popular video on the channel. {{as of|2023|August}}, it has attracted over 92 million views. In one year, it became the top 21 of YouTube's list of all-time favorite videos. The video was also aired by a number of television shows, including CBS' The Early Show.{{Cite web |last=Lindell, Karen |date=November 8, 2007 |title=With more than 3.6 million views, Cory Williams' 'Mean Kitty Song' is a YouTube hit |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2007/nov/08/rap-fever/ |access-date=September 29, 2013 |publisher=Ventura County Star}}

On December 10, 2008, Williams was mentioned on the front page of The New York Times as being one of YouTube's top earners. "Half of the profits come from YouTube’s advertisements, and the other half come from sponsorships and product placements within his videos."{{Cite news |last=Stelter, Brian |date=December 11, 2008 |title=YouTube Videos Pull In Real Money |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/business/media/11youtube.html |work=New York Times}}

Williams has voiced frustration at YouTube's algorithm, announcing he would leave the platform in 2019 after losing "96% of his viewership";{{Cite web |last=Katzowitz |first=Josh |date=13 August 2019 |title=The 'first professional YouTuber' retires after losing 96% of his viewership |url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/cory-williams-mr-safety-smp-films-leaving-youtube/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=The Daily Dot}} a decision he later reversed.

In 2008, following the success of his Mean Kitty Song video, Williams launched a spinoff channel, named TheMeanKitty.{{Cite web |date=23 May 2019 |title=YouTube Millionaires: 'The Mean Kitty' Is YouTube's Most Beloved Cat |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/05/23/youtube-millionaires-the-mean-kitty/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=Tubefilter}} It includes funny moments and short films focused on his cats Loki and Sparta.{{Cite web |title=MEAN KITTY - Sparta's New Toy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkprDR6ZGGo |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube | date=24 June 2008 |language=en}}

On September 17, 2014, Williams posted a vlog titled, "Chuck E. Cheese STOLE MY VIDEO!" in which he discovers and talks about Chuck E. Cheese's stealing one of his Mean Kitty videos, even though it lacked a Creative Commons license.{{Cite web |last=Klima |first=Jeff |title=Chuck E Cheese's Rips Off DudeLikeHELLA Video |url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2014/09/chuck-e-cheese-rips-off-dude-like-hella-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007055022/newmediarockstars.com/2014/09/chuck-e-cheese-rips-off-dude-like-hella-video/ |archive-date=7 October 2014 |access-date=25 November 2014}} Chuck E. Cheese posted a response on the same day, ensuring that his stolen video is no longer playing in their stores and that they have reached out to him about it.{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/OfficialChuckECheeses/posts/727292583986563 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=Facebook.com}} He got a response a day later,{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |url=https://www.facebook.com/DudeLikeHELLA/posts/746632082050522 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=facebook.com |publisher=Facebook}} however on September 25, he later said that Chuck E. Cheese's was lying when they said they were working things out with him and detailed his disappointment with them.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |url=https://www.facebook.com/DudeLikeHELLA/posts/749651035081960 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=Facebook.com |publisher=Facebook}}

Williams' video on TheMeanKitty channel titled "How To Get A Kitty Belly" is his most-viewed video across all of his platforms. After being posted on August 14, 2017, it went viral, acquiring more than 176 million views.{{Cite web |title=How To Get A Kitty Belly |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ruuAffug8 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube | date=14 August 2017 |language=en}}

On March 31, 2018, a video on TheMeanKitty channel reported that Loki had died at the age of 10.{{Cite web |title=Until We Meet Again At The Rainbow Bridge - RIP Loki |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6UtXRKKBDU |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube | date=31 March 2018 |language=en}} The video did not mention the cause of death.

On June 14, 2020, Williams revealed that Sparta had been found panting and unable to move from his waist down. Less than an hour later, Cory took Sparta to the vet and found out he had an underlying heart disease that they did not know about. The heart disease had led to a saddle thrombus, which is a blood clot that blocks the back legs, resulting in severe pain and paralysis. Sparta died in Cory's arms at 9:52 am.{{Cite web |title=This May Be Sparta's Goodbye |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98N1noFB7vE |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube | date=14 June 2020 |language=en}} Williams later uploaded a video to TheMeanKitty, revealing the news and stating it would be the last one posted on the channel.{{Cite web |title=My Last Video #RIPSparta |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zouIfobyBOs |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube | date=14 June 2020 |language=en}}

On May 19, 2011, Williams launched a vlogging channel, named DudeLikeHELLA, on which he posts video diaries showing his daily life and opinions. He also shared his experiences moving to Alaska and then Oklahoma, as well as starting a family.{{Cite web |title=Here's How Taste Testing a Jar of Baby Food Turned Into a Life-Changing Surprise |url=https://www.happify.com/hd/jar-of-baby-food-turned-into-life-changing-surprise/ |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=happify.com |language=en}}

The channel was renamed LiveEachDay in October 2016, stating that the latter name is a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy every day.{{Cite web |title=Goodbye DudeLikeHELLA [Best of 2011 - 2016] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L-ikI9ZzwQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/_L-ikI9ZzwQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=22 October 2016 |website=YouTube| date=22 October 2016 }}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |title=Welcome to LiveEachDay - Q&A |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbxr8Lrqxtk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hbxr8Lrqxtk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=23 October 2016 |website=YouTube| date=23 October 2016 }}{{cbignore}} {{as of|2023|August}}, this channel has over 444,000 subscribers and over 124 million video views.{{Cite web |title=DudeLikeHELLA: About |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/DudeLikeHELLA/about |access-date=9 October 2016 |website=DudeLikeHELLA}}

On October 13, 2014, Williams uploaded a video entitled, "Coolest Sound Ever" to his DudeLikeHELLA channel in which he skips a rock against a frozen lake and it makes an interesting sound due to flexural waves.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=COOLEST SOUND EVER! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIHF5EoEixc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ZIHF5EoEixc |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=18 October 2014 |website=YouTube|date=13 October 2014 }}{{cbignore}} It went viral, obtaining over 6.4 million views in five days, making it his most popular video on that channel, and led to news interviews and articles about the video.{{Cite web |title=On the couch with video blogger Cory Williams |url=http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-video-blogger-cory-williams-640/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018165452/http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-video-blogger-cory-williams-640/ |archive-date=18 October 2014 |access-date=18 October 2014}}{{Cite web |date=15 October 2014 |title=YouTube star Cory Williams discovers 'coolest sound' ever |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/trending/YouTube-star-Cory-Williams-discovers-coolest-sound-ever.html |access-date=18 October 2014}}{{Cite web |date=16 October 2014 |title='Coolest Sound': Eerie Pings of Alaska Man's Skipping Rocks Explained |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/coolest-sound-eerie-pings-alaska-mans-skipping-rocks-explained-n227706 |access-date=18 October 2014 |website=NBC News}}

Mr. Safety, another channel owned by Williams, was created in March 2014 and includes music videos made by himself. {{as of|2023|August}}, it has obtained over 55,000 subscribers and over 18 million video views.{{Cite web |title=MrSafety |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xb-OOrMI9X9rNDTFuUlCg |website=YouTube}}

Williams regularly appeared on Kate Elliott's daily vlogs until she closed her channel. His cats, Loki and Sparta (often referred to as Poki and Moo, respectively) also made appearances.{{citation needed|date= May 2015}}

Williams is also a 3D artist and motion capture specialist,{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=Cory Williams {{!}} Virtual Filmmaker {{!}} 2023 Showreel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24uDEayK2Qw |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=YouTube |date=31 March 2023 |language=en}} and creates animated video content using Unreal Engine. As of 2023, he produces short animated videos for children, on the YouTube channel JustForKids.{{Cite web |title=Just For Kids - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@JustForKids/about |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=www.youtube.com |quote=The videos here on Just For Kids are created by Cory Williams, a solo 3D artist / virtual creator and daddy of 2 young kids who's passionate about creating fun and educational content for his kids and yours.}}{{Cite web |last=Landes |first=Tim |date=31 October 2020 |title=Tulsans find YouTube success |url=https://www.tulsapeople.com/city-desk/tulsans-find-youtube-success/article_6b915412-195f-11eb-9f76-ef20ee207095.html |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=TulsaPeople Magazine |language=en}}

In November 2006, Williams became the host of the first national TV show to spawn from video bloggers, called The FIZZ{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2012 |title=The FIZZ on DirecTV 101's website |url=http://www.thefizz.tv/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209082007/http://www.thefizz.tv/ |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2012}} on DirecTV channel 101 in the United States.{{Cite news |last=Shea, Michael |date=November 12, 2006 |title=New Media Meets TV: Turlock Resident Attains Cult Status With Odd Web Films |newspaper=Redorbit |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/728030/new_media_meets_tv_turlock_resident_attains_cult_status_with/ |access-date=April 9, 2012}}

Williams has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and MTV's Scarred.Appelbaum, Eliav. (2007-09-13) [http://www.toacorn.com/news/2007/0913/Community/021.html Appelbaum, Eliav "'Mean Kitty Song' creator finds fame on Youtube.com " The Acorn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222233337/http://www.toacorn.com/news/2007/0913/Community/021.html |date=2007-12-22 }}. Toacorn.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-09.

In early October 2007, Williams starred in his first feature film role as the character "Hunter" in the movie Faded Memories, which opened in theaters on November 14, 2008.{{Cite web |last=Dutoit, Annie-Sophie |title=Faded Memories |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/faded_memories/ |access-date=April 9, 2012 |website=Rocky Mountain Pictures |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}} The first trailer to the movie was released on YouTube, August 3, 2008. Williams also has a cameo in the music video "Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss" by Bloodhound Gang as well as "White People For Peace" by Against Me!.

In October 2014, Williams appeared on Alaskan local station KTVA to talk about his experiences with his move to, and life in, Alaska, and about his viral video "Coolest Sound Ever."{{Cite web |title=On the couch with video blogger Cory Williams |url=http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-video-blogger-cory-williams-640/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018165452/http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-video-blogger-cory-williams-640/ |archive-date=2014-10-18 |access-date=2014-10-18 |publisher=KTVA}} It was later announced that Williams would have a weekly slot on their Daybreak morning show, where he would talk about his latest stories and goings-on in the state.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY - [Living in Alaska 50] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAbgVvQeH2E&list=UUqEZdtqi4IlzmASqAjHGiHg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/iAbgVvQeH2E |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=31 October 2014 |website=YouTube |date=24 October 2014 |publisher=Cory Williams}}{{cbignore}}

Williams has revealed that a number of production companies had approached him asking to produce a televised reality show based on his life in Alaska and his DudeLikeHELLA video blogging channel. However, in 2014 Williams stated that he had turned all the offers down, saying "Why fix what isn’t broken? We’re already loving this. This is all we’re doing. It’s just me, the camera and it’s us".{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=On the couch with vlogger Cory Williams, Oct. 29 |url=http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-vlogger-cory-williams-oct-29-424/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031041150/http://www.ktva.com/on-the-couch-with-vlogger-cory-williams-oct-29-424/ |archive-date=31 October 2014 |access-date=31 October 2014 |website=ktva.com |publisher=KTVA}} Williams added however that if an opportunity comes up later on, in which he could explore more of the world, he would be open to the idea of starring in a reality TV show.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=DudeLikeHELLA, The Reality Show? - [Living in Alaska 52] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DHiLKwZbzY&list=UUqEZdtqi4IlzmASqAjHGiHg&index=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8DHiLKwZbzY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=31 October 2014 |website=YouTube |date=29 October 2014 |publisher=Cory Williams}}{{cbignore}}

On January 27, 2017, it was announced that Williams would be a participant on the Discovery Channel reality series, Naked and Afraid. He appeared on the August 20th episode "Belize Breakdown", alongside professional surfer Anastasia Ashley, where he lasted 11 days out of a 14-day goal.

Williams is the founder and West Coast American Event Coordinator of the international gathering of YouTube users dubbed As OneCoyle, Jake. [http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/08/22/youtube_vloggers_congregate_offline/ "YouTube Vloggers Congregate Offline"], Associated Press, 2007-08-22 The first notable congregations of YouTubers was held this January in Los Angeles and, more famously, in San Francisco in February, where about 100 people attended. These meets, known as "As One" and organized by Cory "Mr. Safety" Williams, drew many well-known vloggers including Ben Going ("boh3m3"), Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla (the comedy duo known as smosh) and Paul Robinett ("renetto"). {{Cite web |title=YouTube vloggers congregate offline - Boston.com |url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/08/22/youtube_vloggers_congregate_offline/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824074439/http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/08/22/youtube_vloggers_congregate_offline/ |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |access-date=October 6, 2007}} The first "As One" gathering was held in January 2007 in Hollywood, California, and Williams' associated video went on to receive over 1.3 million views. The second gathering was held at Pier 39 in San Francisco, California in February 2007.{{Cite web |title=The Daily Reel – As One |url=http://thedailyreel.com/podcast/archive/2007/02/20/the-daily-reel-as-one |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114013913/http://thedailyreel.com/podcast/archive/2007/02/20/the-daily-reel-as-one |archive-date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2012}}{{Cite web |date=2016-01-20 |title=Top YouTube videographers descend on San Francisco - CNET |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/top-youtube-videographers-descend-on-san-francisco/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120012333/http://www.cnet.com/news/top-youtube-videographers-descend-on-san-francisco/ |archive-date=2016-01-20 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=CNet}}

Williams was diagnosed with ADD as a child.{{Cite news |title=With more than 3.6 million views, Cory Williams' 'Mean Kitty Song' is a YouTube hit |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/with-more-than-36-million-views-cory-williams-mean-kitty-song-is-a-youtube-hit-ep-374765295-352746351.html |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.vcstar.com |language=en}}

Williams was engaged and married to Stephanie Roby.{{Cite web |last=ohtadmin |date=2007-09-21 |title=Pair finds fame, fans on YouTube.com |url=https://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/articles/pair-finds-fame-fans-on-youtube-com/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Camarillo Acorn -}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cory |title=Wedding of Cory & Stephanie Williams |url=http://williamswedd.weebly.com/pictures.html |access-date=26 April 2014 |website=Cory & Stephanie Williams}}

Williams married Kristen, an engineer, in May 2015.{{cite news |title=Wife Surprises Husband With Baby Food Taste Test to Announce Pregnancy |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wife-surprises-husband-baby-food-taste-test-announce/story?id=34799027 |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=ABC News |date=28 October 2015 |language=en}}

On June 3, 2018, Swift gave birth to their second child, a son.{{Cite web |last=LiveEachDay |date=5 June 2018 |title=Giving Birth Naturally at Home - Emotional Birth Vlog (Normal Delivery of Baby Atlas) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLpSCm2zHs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/rgLpSCm2zHs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

• The FIZZ
• YouTube celebrities

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/smpfilms SMP Films YouTube]
• {{IMDb name|2692650}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Cory}}

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from California

Category:American video bloggers

Category:1981 births

Category:American Internet celebrities

Category:People from Merced, California

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2005

Category:American male bloggers

Category:YouTubers from California