Will Neff
{{Short description|American Twitch streamer and YouTuber (born 1989)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox Twitch streamer
| name = Will Neff
| image = Will Neff in 2023.png
| caption = Neff in 2023
| birth_name = William Savage Ebers Neff{{Cite web |last=Rochlin |first=Jason |date=2021-12-07 |title=Will Neff Feels 'Being a Clown' Helps Him Fit In at G4, 100 Thieves |url=https://gamerant.com/will-neff-g4-interview-attack-of-the-show-100-thieves-comedy/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|09|14}}
| birth_place = United States
| education = Elon University (MA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Twitch streamer|YouTuber}}
| channel_name = willneff
| years_active = 2016–present
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Gaming
- Just Chatting
}}
| teams = {{ubl|100 Thieves (2021–2024)|One True King (2024–present)}}
| followers = 510 thousand
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
- Hasan Piker
- AustinShow
- QTCinderella
- Caroline Kwan
}}
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality| subbox = yes
| channel_handle = @WillNeff
| channel_display_name = Will Neff
| years_active = 2020–present
| genre = Gaming
| subscribers = 144 thousand
| views = 19.14 million
| silver_year = 2022
| gold_button =
| gold_year =
| diamond_button =
| diamond_year =
| ruby_button =
| ruby_year =
| red_diamond_button =
| red_diamond_year =
| stats_update = October 17, 2024
}}
| website = {{URL|https://willneff.store/}}
}}
William Savage Ebers Neff (born September 14, 1989) is an American Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and actor.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-06 |title=Will Neff, Comedian and Actor, Talks Digital Media |url=https://ktla.com/5-live/will-neff-comedian-and-actor-talks-digital-media/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=KTLA |language=en-US}} He is the co-host of the game show Name Your Price, alongside fellow Twitch streamer AustinShow. He is also a co-host of the Fear& podcast.
Early life
William Savage Ebers Neff was born on September 14, 1989.{{cite tweet |last=Neff |first=Will |user=thewillneff |title=Hey Yall. Just wanted to say thank you for another amazing year. Can't believe I'm so lucky. 34 gonna be fun. |number=1702481113988714804 |access-date=June 5, 2024}}{{cite tweet |last=Neff |first=Will |title=Why yes. Yes, it is my birthday |user=TheWillNeff |number=1570140839887904768 |access-date=May 10, 2024}} Through the birthplace of one of his grandfathers, he is of German descent.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d5n7SWqubc|title=We Saw Something We Shouldn't Have.. ft. Ted Nivison & Jarvis Johnson|date=May 13, 2024|author=Fear&|via=YouTube|time=46:10|quote=Nivison: Because then where was your grandfather born? Neff: My-my..grandfather...born? Nivison: Where were they born? Neff: Germany.}} His father Robert Arthur Neff is a retired business and financial executive.{{Cite web |title=Robert Arthur Neff |url=https://fable.co/author/robert-arthur-neff |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=fable.co}}
He attended high school at Blair Academy, a boarding and day prep school in Blairstown, New Jersey, where he was captain of the squash team.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-18 |title=Media & Tech Forum Highlights Alums Working in Innovative Segment of Economy |url=https://www.blair.edu/about-blair/publications-news/post/~board/news/post/media-tech-forum-highlights-alums-working-in-innovative-segment-of-economy |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.blair.edu |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Thirty Years of Blair Squash |url=https://www.blair.edu/about-blair/publications-news/post/~board/news/post/thirty-years-of-blair-squash |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.blair.edu |language=en-US}} He graduated with a master's degree in game and interactive media design from Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. During his studies, Neff interned at both Second City in Chicago (2008) and Laugh Factory in Los Angeles (2012).{{Cite web |last=Rochlin |first=Jason |date=2021-12-07 |title=Will Neff Feels 'Being a Clown' Helps Him Fit In at G4, 100 Thieves |url=https://gamerant.com/will-neff-g4-interview-attack-of-the-show-100-thieves-comedy/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rochlin |first=Jason |date=2021-12-09 |title=G4 Interview: Fiona Nova, Will Neff, and Kassem G Discuss Attack of the Show!, Invitation to Party |url=https://gamerant.com/g4-interview-fiona-nova-will-neff-kassem-g-attack-of-the-show-invitation-to-party/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Previously, he honed his improv skills at The Groundlings, a theater and improv club. Neff also previously worked as a narrative-focused video producer for BuzzFeed, an American internet media company.
Career
= Streaming =
Neff created his Twitch channel in April 2016 but did not begin streaming until August 2018, where he primarily streamed League of Legends gameplay.{{Cite web |title=willneff – Streams List and Statistics |url=https://twitchtracker.com/willneff/streams |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=TwitchTracker |language=en}} In May 2020, he created his YouTube channel, where he uploads highlights from his Twitch streams.{{Cite web |title=Will Neff – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@WillNeff/videos |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.youtube.com}}
Neff's online popularity surged in 2020, which he attributes to the COVID-19 lockdowns. He is known for his collaborative streams with fellow Twitch streamers Hasan Piker and AustinShow.{{Cite web |last=Miceli |first=Max |date=2022-10-11 |title=Yet another streamer is fed up with Twitch as Partner contract comes to an end |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/yet-another-streamer-is-fed-up-with-twitch-as-partner-contract-comes-to-an-end |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}
On May 5, 2021, Neff received a two-day Twitch ban for watching a clip of Samurai Jack on Adult Swim's official YouTube channel.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-06 |title=Twitch Streamer Will Neff Gets Banned Due to Bizarre Copyright Issues |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/twitch-streamer-will-neff-gets-banned-due-to-bizarre-copyright-issues-news-esports/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=EssentiallySports |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Prateek |date=2021-05-10 |title=Popular Twitch Streamer WillNeff Unbanned After 2 Days » TalkEsport |url=https://www.talkesport.com/news/twitch-streamer-willneff-unbanned/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}} In November 2021, he joined 100 Thieves, a Los Angeles-based gaming organization, as a content creator.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=2021-11-02 |title=100 Thieves signs Will Neff as a content creator |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/100-thieves-signs-will-neff-as-a-content-creator |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} However, his tenure was brief as he signed with One True King in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Mike |title=Will Neff Joins OTK As The Group Announces 2024 Content And Plans |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikestubbs/2024/02/05/will-neff-joins-otk-as-the-group-announces-2024-content-and-plans/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
On April 27, 2023, Neff participated in Esfand's Draft Day Extravaganza, a football event to coincide with the first day of the NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Blancaflor |first=Saleah |date=2023-10-20 |title=Twitch is the best way to watch sports, when you can actually watch sports on Twitch |url=https://www.polygon.com/23923506/sports-streamers-twitch-ufc-nba-nfl-broadcast-rights-streaming |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} He would return the following year for coverage of the 2024 NFL draft.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF7dlLR7aXE|title=Esfand's Draft Night Extravaganza ft. WillNeff and AustinShow|first=Tim|last=Esfandiari|authorlink=Esfand (streamer)|via=YouTube|date=April 30, 2024}}
On February 5, 2024, One True King, an American media organization based in Austin, Texas, announced that Neff would be joining the organization as a content creator.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ethan |date=2024-02-05 |title=Will Neff joins the OTK streaming table as org lines up huge 2024 plans |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/will-neff-joins-the-otk-streaming-table-as-org-lines-up-huge-2024-plans |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Arias |first=Jackie |date=2024-02-06 |title=Twitch Streamer Will Neff Joins OTK |url=https://gamerant.com/twitch-will-neff-otk/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Neff would also be appearing in and hosting several shows created with the organization, including the OTK Film Festival in March 2024. On September 26, 2024, Neff received a two-day Twitch ban for streaming The Shawshank Redemption during his “film school” sessions.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Twitch Streamer Will Neff On BFF Hasan Piker, The Binding Of Issac, And Long Island |url=https://kotaku.com/will-neff-twitch-banned-ban-twitter-caroline-kwan-1851660108 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=OTK's Will Neff Banned on Twitch |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/will-neff-twitch-ban |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Esports Illustrated On SI |language=en-US}}
= ''Attack of the Show!'' =
Neff was one of the hosts of the G4TV program Attack of the Show!, an American television program focused on pop culture, video games, and movies, after it was relaunced in November 2021. Neff said that being a fan of G4 growing up was one of the reasons he joined as one of the program hosts. The show was discontinued a year later, after Comcast announced the disbandment of G4TV due to financial problems.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2022-10-16 |title=Comcast Pulls Plug On G4 TV, Ending Comeback Try For Gamer-Focused Network |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/comcast-pulls-plug-on-g4-tv-ending-comeback-try-video-game-network-1235145219/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
= ''Name Your Price'' =
{{stack|File:AustinShow WillNeff TwitchCon Name Your Price 2023.jpg during Name Your Price live show at TwitchCon Las Vegas 2023.]]}}On February 10, 2022, Neff joined fellow Twitch streamer AustinShow as a co-host for Name Your Price, a 1970s-themed game show inspired by The Price Is Right. The show aired on AustinShow's Twitch channel for two seasons before its cancellation due to the closure of G4 in October 2022.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=2022-02-03 |title=AustinShow joins G4TV as on-air talent and creative executive |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/austinshow-joins-g4tv-as-on-air-talent-and-creative-executive |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} In March 2023, following AustinShow's signing with Misfits Gaming, the show's revival was announced.{{Cite web |title=Game Show Host's Return Confirmed for Revival |url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/will-neff-name-your-price-game-show-g4tv-misfits-gaming-host-confirm-return-revival/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Streaming |date=March 18, 2023 |language=en}}
On October 9, 2023 Name Your Price returned for a third season, adopting a touring format for the first time. Episodes feature live audiences in Miami, Las Vegas (TwitchCon), Houston, and Long Beach. Each episode retains AustinShow and Neff as co-hosts, joined by various prominent streamers as contestants, product presenters, and guests.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Karl Jacobs, KreekCraft, and AustinShow are hitting the road for a multi-city Misfits tour |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/08/25/karl-jacobs-kreekcraft-austin-show-misfits-gaming-live-show-tour/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}
On February 17, 2024, Neff and AustinShow were awarded the "Best Streamed Series" award for Name Your Price at The Streamer Awards.
= ''Hey, Donna!'' =
On August 8, 2022, Neff announced a new G4TV comedy series called Hey, Donna! with co-host and fellow Twitch streamer QTCinderella. The show blended scripted and unscripted elements, featuring improvised advice and banter interspersed with occasional scripted segments.{{Cite web |last=COULSTON |first=JOHN |date=August 20, 2022 |title=QTCinderella Joins New Comedy Series |url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/qtcinderella-hey-donna-g4-tv-joins-new-comedy-series/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=PopCulture |language=en}} The show was discontinued on October 16, 2022, after Comcast announced the disbandment of G4TV.{{Cite web |last=COULSTON |first=JOHN |title=Canceled TV Show Saved, 2023 Return Eyed |url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/hey-donna-canceled-season-2-will-neff-tv-show-saved-2023-return-eyed/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=PopCulture |date=November 12, 2022 |language=en}} On February 5, 2024, Neff announced that the show would be revived through his new organization, One True King.
Other ventures
Since 2021, Neff has hosted the podcast Fear& (formerly Fear&Malding) alongside his friend and fellow Twitch streamer, Hasan Piker. Later in 2022, streamers QTCinderella and AustinShow joined the podcast as co-hosts.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=2021-09-27 |title=Hasan, Ethan Klein debut political podcast The Leftovers |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/hasan-ethan-klein-debut-political-podcast-the-leftovers |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fear& |date=October 23, 2022 |title=ANNOUNCEMENT: QTCinderella & AustinShow have officially joined the podcast as permanent hosts! First episode w/ the full cast drops tomorrow. |url=https://twitter.com/FearAndPod/status/1584296764944752640 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |title=TV Host Details Terrifying Elevator 'Free Fall' That Nearly Killed Him |url=https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/tv-host-will-neff-details-terrifying-elevator-free-fall-nearly-killed-him/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=popculture |date=October 29, 2023 |language=en}}
= Acting =
Neff appeared in the music video for eaJ's "Car Crash" with fellow 100 Thieves members Kyedae and Valkyrae.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=2022-04-05 |title=Jae Park's upcoming music video to feature Valkyrae, Kyedae, and Will Neff |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/jae-parks-upcoming-music-video-to-feature-valkyrae-kyedae-and-will-neff |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}} Later in 2023, he appeared in the music video for Lovejoy's "Portrait of a Blank Slate". He appeared in the 2024 comedy-romance movie Peak Season, written and directed by Henry Loevner and Steven Kanter.{{Cite web |last=Hullender |first=Tatiana |date=2023-03-10 |title=Cellphones Are Not Safe In Peak Season Clip [SXSW EXCLUSIVE] |url=https://screenrant.com/peak-season-movie-sxsw-clip/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2023-03-10 |title='Better Call Saul's Patrick Fabian Joins 'The Way We Speak'; Cinedigm Takes 'The Ancestral'; SXSW Trailer For 'Until Branches Bend,' Clips For 'Citizen Sleuth' And 'Peak Season' – Film Briefs |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/patrick-fabian-the-way-we-speak-the-ancestral-cinedigm-1235284845/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Neff is dating fellow streamer Caroline Kwan. They currently reside together in California.
He has been diagnosed with ADHD. He is a supporter of the New York Jets.{{Cite web |last=Machlin |first=Tzvi |date=2024-05-09 |title=Q&A With EsfandTV: 'Let's Go! Football' On Twitch, Cowboys' Hopes, Teaching Football To Gamers |url=https://thespun.com/top-stories/qa-with-esfandtv-lets-go-football-on-twitch-cowboys-hopes-teaching-football-to-gamers |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=The Spun |language=en}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Ceremony ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| 2022
| rowspan="3" |The Streamer Awards | League of Their Own | rowspan="2" |Himself | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| Best Just Chatting Streamer | {{nom}} |
| Best Streamed Series
|Name Your Price | {{won}} |
Filmography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Film ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Role ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" |2024
| scope="row" |Peak Season | Josh |
|---|
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Music videos ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Artist(s) ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | 2022
|"Car Crash" |eaJ |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2023
|"Portrait of a Blank Slate" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitch|id=willneff|name=WillNeff}}
- {{YouTube|h=willneff|Will Neff}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neff, William}}
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American Twitch (service) streamers
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American game show hosts
Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Category:Elon University alumni