Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln "Link" Neal III are 49 and 48 years old, respectively. Rhett was born on October 11, 1977, and Link was born on June 1, 1978. As the creative minds behind the internet comedy brand Mythical Entertainment and the daily morning show Good Mythical Morning, they've spent over two decades evolving from corporate engineering dropouts into internet pioneers.
Knowing their exact ages gives a clear perspective on their longevity in the digital content space. They built a multi-million dollar independent media company long before modern short-form algorithms existed, adapting from viral local commercials to streaming sketch comedy and serialized podcasts.
Early Life and Origin of the Partnership
The duo met in the first grade at Buies Creek Elementary School in North Carolina in 1984. Legend has it they were kept inside during recess because they drew profanity on their desks, sparking an immediate friendship. They spent their youth making short films, writing absurd local commercial jingles, and cementing a creative partnership that outlasted their school years.
Both attended North Carolina State University, where they roomed together and graduated with degrees in civil engineering. Before touching the internet full-time, both worked conventional day jobs. Rhett worked as a transportation engineer for IBM, and Link worked as an industrial engineer for Black & Veatch.
The Pivot to Full-Time Internetainers
Realizing corporate life didn't fit their ambitions, they quit their engineering jobs in 2006 to pursue comedy. They styled themselves as "Internetainers", focusing early efforts on independent sketch comedy, viral local commercials for small businesses, and comedic folk songs.
Their breakout transition happened when online video distribution matured. They launched their main YouTube channel in 2006, uploading parody music videos and experimental shorts that gained traction across early social platforms.
Key Milestones in the Career Timeline
- 2008: Launched the daily morning show format that eventually evolved into Good Mythical Morning.
- 2011: Starred in the IFC television series Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings, documenting their journey filming quirky ads for small-town businesses across America.
- 2012: Premiered the official pilot of Good Mythical Morning, establishing the recurring format of food taste tests, nostalgic deep dives, and comedic banter.
- 2016: Won a Streamy Award for Best Comedy Show and expanded production beyond a two-man operation.
- 2017: Incorporated Mythical Entertainment, moving into a massive studio space in Burbank, California, and hiring a full production crew.
- 2019: Acquired the legendary digital comedy brand Smosh, saving it from corporate bankruptcy and returning it to independent creators.
- 2020: Published their second book, the fictional mystery novel The Lost Cases of Bleak Creek.
For more details on their corporate evolution and studio growth, read the Mythical Entertainment Official Website.
Expanding the Mythical Universe
What started as two guys in a living room has expanded into a sprawling digital network. Mythical Entertainment now operates multiple channels and podcasts, including Mythical Kitchen—hosted by chef Josh Scherer—and the candid weekly interview podcast Ear Biscuits.
According to coverage by Rolling Stone, independent creator-led networks like Mythical have fundamentally redefined how modern media companies operate outside traditional Hollywood studio systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Rhett McLaughlin's birthday?
Rhett was born on October 11, 1977, making him a Libra. He grew up primarily in Buies Creek, North Carolina, after being born in Macon, Georgia.
When is Link Neal's birthday?
Link was born on June 1, 1978, in Durham, North Carolina. He shares a long-standing creative partnership with Rhett that spans over four decades.
Did Rhett and Link really work as engineers?
Yes. Both graduated with civil engineering degrees from North Carolina State University and worked traditional corporate engineering jobs before resigning to make comedy videos full-time in 2006.
How many subscribers do their channels have?
Across their primary portfolio—including Good Mythical Morning, Mythical Kitchen, and associated properties—they command a combined audience of over 30 million subscribers.
