Karl Jacobs
{{Short description|American YouTuber (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Twitch streamer
| name = Karl Jacobs
| image = Karl Jacobs 2023.jpg
| caption = Karl Jacobs in 2023
| birth_name = Karl Thomas Jacobs
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|7|19}}{{Cite tweet |number=1681820001534111744 |user=KarlJacobs_ |title=Birthday :D |date=July 19, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2024}}{{Cite tweet |number=1707543046689104005 |user=KarlJacobs_ |title=Chill I'm 25 (with my moms credit card) |date=September 28, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2024}}
| birth_place = New York, U.S.
| pseudonym = GamerBoyKarl
| channel_name = karljacobs
| years active = 2017–present
| teams = Misfits Gaming
| followers = 3.6 million
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality
| subbox = yes
| channel_id = UCrYrcFGGs_nke1MggS8Jvqg
| channel_display_name = Karl
| years_active = 2017–present
| views = 623 million
| subscribers = 5.79 million
|stats_update = May 13, 2025
| silver_button = yes
| gold_button = yes
}}
}}
Karl Thomas Jacobs{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mdKvblL_8s&t=749s |title=$70,000 Extreme Hide And Seek - Challenge |date=2020-03-13 |last=Donaldson |first=James Stephen |type=Video |language=en |access-date=2023-06-13 |quote=My middle name is Thomas. |via=YouTube}} (born July 19, 1998), formerly known as GamerBoyKarl, is an American YouTuber, author, writer, and producer. He rose to prominence as a member of MrBeast's on-screen cast{{Cite web |date=2022-12-31 |title=Has MrBeast's Close Aide Karl Jacobs Joined His Team as a Conspiracy to Make the Channel More 'Family-Friendly'? Minecraft Streamer Finally Puts an End to All Theories |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-has-mrbeasts-close-aide-karl-jacobs-joined-his-team-as-a-conspiracy-to-make-the-channel-more-family-friendly-minecraft-streamer-finally-puts-an-end-to-all-theories/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=EssentiallySports}} and then developed his own videos, primarily Minecraft content. Jacobs is the creator of the anthology series Tales from the SMP set in the Dream SMP, which was adapted into a series of comic books published by Dark Horse Comics. He was also a co-host of the Banter podcast with fellow YouTubers Sapnap and GeorgeNotFound.
Career
Jacobs began streaming on Twitch in 2017, playing Roblox under the name GamerBoyKarl.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander |date=March 7, 2022 |title='More organic': YouTuber Karl Jacobs on why creators should prioritize working with like-minded sponsors |url=https://digiday.com/marketing/sponsorships-have-to-be-more-organic-youtuber-karl-jacobs-on-why-creators-should-prioritize-working-with-like-minded-sponsors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412205903/https://digiday.com/marketing/sponsorships-have-to-be-more-organic-youtuber-karl-jacobs-on-why-creators-should-prioritize-working-with-like-minded-sponsors/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Basbas |first=Franchesca Judine |date=August 20, 2021 |title=10 streamers you need to watch: Valkyrae, Disguised Toast, TommyInnit, Kyedae, and more |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/10-streamers-you-need-to-watch-valkyrae-disguised-toast-tommyinnit-karl-jacobs-faker-kyedae-valorant-among-us-minecraft-twitch-youtube-facebook-list-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011046/https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/10-streamers-you-need-to-watch-valkyrae-disguised-toast-tommyinnit-karl-jacobs-faker-kyedae-valorant-among-us-minecraft-twitch-youtube-facebook-list-2021 |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Bandwagon |location=Asia |language=en}} In 2017, Jacobs started his first YouTube channel titled Game Patrol. In 2019, he was hired as a video editor for YouTuber MrBro. Jacobs then became a cameraman for MrBro's brother, YouTuber MrBeast,{{When|date=January 2023}} before transitioning into a member of MrBeast's on-screen cast.{{When|date=January 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=March 29, 2022 |title=Karl Jacobs reveals how a Mr. Beast fluke made him a Minecraft icon |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/karl-jacobs-interview-minecraft-mr-beast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011130/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/karl-jacobs-interview-minecraft-mr-beast |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Inverse |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=Kacee |date=2022-09-21 |title=Who is Karl Jacobs? Everything to know about the dynamic Minecraft, MrBeast star |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/who-is-karl-jacobs-everything-to-know-about-the-dynamic-minecraft-mrbeast-star |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} During a video for MrBeast Gaming, Jacobs met Minecraft YouTuber Dream, and was later invited to join his server, the Dream SMP.{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=May 3, 2021 |title=One of YouTube's top Minecraft streamers apologized for past support of a creator known for his "toxic" history |url=https://www.insider.com/karl-jacobs-ice-poseidon-twitter-drama-minecraft-streamer-apologized-2021-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706002136/https://www.insider.com/karl-jacobs-ice-poseidon-twitter-drama-minecraft-streamer-apologized-2021-5 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}
In December 2020, Jacobs created{{When|date=January 2023}} the online anthology series Tales from the SMP, which explores the story of characters in the Dream SMP by following Jacobs' time-travelling character to various times and locations throughout the server.{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=Kacee |date=February 11, 2022 |title=How to watch Tales From the SMP: The Maze |url=https://dotesports.com/news/how-to-watch-tales-from-the-smp-the-maze |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011046/https://dotesports.com/news/how-to-watch-tales-from-the-smp-the-maze |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} The series has featured internet personalities such as Dream and Corpse Husband.{{Cite web |last=Destito |first=Deanna |date=2022-08-02 |title=Karl Jacobs and Dark Horse team up for TIME TRAVELER TALES |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/karl-jacobs-dark-horse-time-traveler-tales/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Comics Beat |language=en-US}} The season two pilot, titled "The Maze," premiered on February 11, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=Kacee |date=February 11, 2022 |title=All streamers participating in Tales From the SMP: The Maze |url=https://dotesports.com/news/all-streamers-participating-in-tales-from-the-smp-the-maze |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011047/https://dotesports.com/news/all-streamers-participating-in-tales-from-the-smp-the-maze |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} In August 2022, Jacobs announced that stories from his series Tales from the SMP would be adapted as a series of comic books titled Time Traveler Tales for Dark Horse Comics. The series is written by Karl Jacobs and Dave Scheidt and illustrated by Kelly and Nichole Matthews.{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Cale |date=August 1, 2022 |title=Karl Jacobs partners with Dark Horse to publish new comic series |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/karl-jacobs-partners-with-dark-horse-to-publish-new-comic-series |access-date=August 11, 2022 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=August 2, 2022 |title=Karl Jacobs is turning his Dream SMP adventures into a Dark Horse comic series |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/08/02/karl-jacobs-time-traveler-tales-from-the-smp-dark-horse/ |access-date=August 11, 2022 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}} The series was released in five issues between December 2023 and April 2024.{{Cite web |last=Gritz |first=Ben |date=3 November 2023 |title=Be Ready for Popular Streamer Karl Jacob’s Time Traveler Tales! |url=https://prhcomics.com/2023/11/03/be-ready-for-popular-streamer-karl-jacobs-time-traveler-tales/ |access-date= 9 November 2024 |website=PRH Comics}}
In September 2021, Jacobs started a podcast with fellow Minecraft YouTuber Sapnap titled Banter. Following the release of the first episode, which featured MrBeast, Banter briefly overtook The Joe Rogan Experience as the number one podcast on Spotify.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Karl Jacobs And Sapnap's New Podcast Knocked "The Joe Rogan Experience" Out Of First Place On Spotify |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/04/karl-jacobs-sapnap-joe-rogan-spotify/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126154757/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/04/karl-jacobs-sapnap-joe-rogan-spotify/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Emma |date=2021-09-30 |title=Joe Rogan Loses Top Spot on Spotify Podcast Charts |url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-rogan-dethroned-spotify-chart-new-gaming-podcast-sapnap-karl-jacobs-number-one-1634239 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} On August 6, 2022, GeorgeNotFound publicly debuted as the third host on the podcast.{{cite podcast |host1=Karl Jacobs |host2=Sapnap |host3=GeorgeNotFound |title=GeorgeNotFound Joins BANTER |work=BANTER |date=August 6, 2022 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r5cLU0tI4VqERcOAl0w3e?si=1c00ce2ee1434f3esode/3r5cLU0tI4VqERcOAl0w3e?si=1c00ce2ee1434f3e}}{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=Kacee |date=2022-10-11 |title=Who is GeorgeNotFound? History, earnings, age, setup |url=https://dotesports.com/news/who-is-georgenotfound-everything-to-know-about-minecraft-star |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US |quote="In August 2022, GeorgeNotFound joined Karl Jacobs and Sapnap as the third co-host of the Banter podcast." |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813124145/https://dotesports.com/news/who-is-georgenotfound-everything-to-know-about-minecraft-star |url-status=dead }}
In March 2022, Jacobs was announced to be the creative ambassador for shoe retailer Journeys.{{Cite web |last=McMaster |first=Jason |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Journeys announces Karl Jacobs as Creative Ambassador |url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/31/journeys-announces-karl-jacobs-as-creative-ambassador/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419181455/https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/31/journeys-announces-karl-jacobs-as-creative-ambassador/ |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} On November 9, the game Once Upon a Jester was launched on Steam, with Jacobs voicing several characters.{{Cite web |last=Starkey |first=Adam |date=2022-11-15 |title=Once Upon A Jester review - improv indie gaming |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/15/once-upon-a-jester-review-improv-indie-gaming-17760244/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Metro |language=en}} On November 14, 2022, Jacobs released his first animated short titled Beside Myself.@KarlJacobs_ (November 14th, 2022). "[https://twitter.com/KarlJacobs_/status/1592278243310272512 Beside Myself...An Animated Short]!" (Tweet) -- via Twitter.{{Cite news |last=Pandya |first=Kairavi |date=2022-12-13 |title=Who is Karl Jacobs and why is he famous? |language=en-US |work=Spiel Times |url=https://www.spieltimes.com/news/who-is-karl-jacobs-and-why-is-he-famous/ |access-date=2023-02-10}} The short featured Jacobs as writer and producer, Elenor Kopka as animator and director, and Richie Woods as music composer.@elenorkopka (November 15th, 2022. "[https://twitter.com/elenorkopka/status/1592415963097358336 I animated & directed a short written by @KarlJacobs_...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.@richiewoods55 (November 14th, 2022). "[https://twitter.com/richiewoods55/status/1592302134762311680 i made the music/sfx for this amazing animated short!! written by karl and animated by the epic @elenorkopka...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
On September 24, 2022, Jacobs participated in the 2022 Sidemen Charity Football Match, playing for the Sidemen team against the YouTube Allstars team. The event managed to raised more than £1,000,000 for four U.K. based charities: Campaign Against Living Miserably, Teenage Cancer Trust, Rays of Sunshine, and M7 Education.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=2022-09-24 |title=Sidemen Charity Match 2022: Winners, highlights, and funds raised |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/sidemen-charity-match-2022-winners-highlights-and-funds-raised |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} A year later he participated again in the 2023 Sidemen Charity Football Match, this time playing for the YouTube Allstars team. The event managed to raised more than £2,400,000 for various charities.{{Cite web |title=Sidemen FC vs YouTube Allstars - live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats |url=https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/youtube-allstars-vs-sidemen-fc/1ejv7bk82#4270661 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=FotMob |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=2023-09-11 |title=Sidemen raise £2.4 million, break YouTube viewership records with 2023 charity match |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/09/11/sidemen-football-soccer-2023-charity-match-results-millions-raised-viewers/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}
On April 25, 2024, Jacobs released an animated short titled Journeyed Home.{{Cite tweet |user=KarlJacobs_ |number=1783645672626872575 |date=25 April 2024 |title=Journeyed Home An Animated Short |url=https://x.com/KarlJacobs_/status/1783645672626872575 |access-date=9 November 2024}} The short was primarily written and produced by Jacobs, directed and animated by Kevin Bissell, and music was composed by Temporex, Spellcasting, and Boys Age.{{Cite tweet |user=kevins_computer |number=1783887417528693037 |date=26 April 2024 |title=if anyone's wondering what ive been up to these past few months, it was making this 15 minute animated short with karl jacobs. mr beast plays a duck in it (real) |url=https://x.com/kevins_computer/status/1783887417528693037 |access-date=9 November 2024}}{{Cite tweet |user=TEMPOREXXX |number=1783660117122327033 |date=25 April 2024 |title=Made 3 songs for this Shoutout @kevins_computer 🩵 |url=https://x.com/TEMPOREXXX/status/1783660117122327033 |access-date=9 November 2024}}{{Cite tweet |user=irlspellcasting |number=1783688714411299323 |date=25 April 2024 |title=scored the music for three scenes for this! stoked with how it came out :) u should watch |url=https://x.com/irlspellcasting/status/1783688714411299323 |access-date=9 November 2024}} Several of Jacobs' collaborators and fellow content creators, including Spreen and TinaKitten, cameo as voice actors.
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{MrBeast}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacobs, Karl}}
Category:American Twitch (service) streamers
Category:American video game podcasters
Category:Sidemen Charity Match players
Category:People associated with MrBeast
Category:American web series actors