Markiplier

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is Markiplier from?

  Markiplier was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 28, 1989. He spent his early years there because his father was stationed at a military base, but he grew up mostly in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was raised after his family moved. He’s now based in Los Angeles, California, for his career.

• Why did Markiplier drop out of college?

  Markiplier dropped out of the University of Cincinnati, where he was studying biomedical engineering, because life threw him some curveballs. Around 2011-2012, he was dealing with financial struggles, a tough breakup, and his dad’s declining health (his father passed away from cancer in 2008, but the emotional toll lingered). He also got surgery to remove a tumor from his adrenal gland in 2014, though that came after he’d already left school. Feeling stuck and uninspired by engineering, he started making YouTube videos in 2012 as an outlet. It wasn’t some grand plan—he’s said he was “depressed” and “angry at the world”—but once it took off, he ditched college to chase that spark full-time.

• How did Markiplier get famous?

  Markiplier’s fame kicked off in 2012 when he started posting gaming videos from his Cincinnati apartment. Broke and using a cheap setup, he leaned into horror games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent, where his loud reactions and raw energy stood out. His big break came with Five Nights at Freddy’s in 2014—those videos went viral, pulling in millions of views and subscribers. What set him apart was his authenticity: he’d laugh, scream, and ramble like a friend on a couch, not a polished influencer. Charity streams, collabs with creators like Jacksepticeye, and later projects like Unus Annus and In Space with Markiplier kept his star rising. By consistently being himself—wild, heartfelt, and a little chaotic—he grew from a nobody to over 36 million subscribers.

• What is Markiplier’s real name?

  Markiplier’s real name is Mark Edward Fischbach. He’s built his massive online presence under the “Markiplier” handle, but that’s the full name behind the persona.

• What is Markiplier working on now?

  Markiplier’s got a lot cooking. He’s deep into his feature film debut, Iron Lung, a horror movie based on the indie game of the same name. He’s writing, directing, producing, and starring in it, with a release expected sometime in 2025 after years of development. He’s also keeping up his YouTube channel with gaming videos—like recent PowerWash Simulator streams—and other content. Plus, he’s still running his podcasts, Distractible and Go! My Favorite Sports Team, dropping new episodes regularly. He’s hinted at more creative projects too, but nothing specific’s been announced lately beyond Iron Lung.

• Why is Markiplier called the ‘King of FNAF’?

  Markiplier earned the nickname “King of FNAF” from his massive role in popularizing Five Nights at Freddy’s. When the first game dropped in 2014, his over-the-top, scream-filled playthroughs—packed with genuine terror and humor—blew up on YouTube. He kept playing every sequel and spinoff, building a deep connection with the series and its creator, Scott Cawthon. Fans latched onto his enthusiasm, and his videos helped make FNAF a cultural phenomenon. Even years later, he’s the go-to guy for FNAF content, cementing that royal title in the gaming community.

• Does Markiplier have a podcast?

  Yes, Markiplier hosts two podcasts. The first is Distractible, which he co-hosts with friends Wade Barnes and Bob Muyskens. It launched in May 2021 and has climbed to the top of Spotify and Apple Podcasts charts with its mix of banter, random topics, and competitive games. The second is Go! My Favorite Sports Team, started in February 2022 with Tyler Scheid, where Mark plays the clueless newbie to Tyler’s sports enthusiast, making it a funny take on sports talk. Both show off his knack for entertaining outside of gaming.

• What games does Markiplier play?

  Markiplier’s known for diving into a variety of games, with a big focus on horror and indie titles. He rose to fame playing games like Five Nights at Freddy’s—earning him the nickname “King of FNAF”—and Amnesia: The Dark Descent. He also loves quirky indie games like Among Us, Getting Over It, and Phasmophobia, plus narrative-driven stuff like Until Dawn and Detroit: Become Human. His playthroughs mix scares, laughs, and genuine reactions, making just about any game he touches a wild ride.

• Does Markiplier have a clothing brand?

  Yep, Markiplier co-founded Cloak, a clothing brand aimed at gamers and casual wear fans. He launched it in October 2018 with fellow YouTuber Seán McLoughlin (Jacksepticeye), and later brought in streamer Imane Anys (Pokimane) as a partner and creative director in 2020. Cloak focuses on comfy, stylish apparel—think hoodies, tees, and accessories—with a gaming vibe. It’s still going strong, tied to his personal brand but not exclusive to Markiplier-themed gear.

• When is Markiplier's birthday?

  Markiplier's birthday is on June 28, 1989.

• How many followers does Markiplier have on Instagram?

  Markiplier has 12,100,000 followers on Instagram.

• How many followers does Markiplier have on Facebook?

  Markiplier has 3,500,000 followers on Facebook.

• How many subscribers does Markiplier have on YouTube?

  Markiplier has 37,500,000 subscribers on YouTube.