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Ian Hecox

Ian Andrew Hecox (/hiːkɒks/ HEE-koks; born November 30, 1987) is an American internet personality, comedian, filmmaker, and actor. With Anthony Padilla, he co-founded the YouTube-based video production company Smosh. Hecox wrote, directed, and starred the company's sketch comedy videos since 2005.[1][2]

Ian Hecox
Hecox in 2020
Personal information
Born
Ian Andrew Hecox

(1987-11-30) November 30, 1987 (age 36)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Occupations
YouTube information
Years active2005–present
Associated actsSmosh

Early life

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Ian Andrew Hecox[3] was born on November 30, 1987, in Sacramento, California[4] and is a native of Carmichael, California.[5] His parents are Sharon and Stephan Andrew Hecox, and he has an older sister named Melissa.[6] His mother appeared as a recurring character in various Smosh sketches.[7] Hecox attended Del Campo High School and did cross-country.[1][8] He attended American River College where he took screenwriting, film and improv classes, before dropping out to focus on Smosh two years later.[9]

Career

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Smosh

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Hecox at VidCon in 2012

In 2002, Hecox joined smosh.com, made by his friend Anthony Padilla, whom he first met in sixth grade.[5] Hecox and Padilla made the Smosh (main) YouTube channel in 2005 and first uploaded lip sync videos to several theme songs. It was their lip sync video to the Pokémon Theme, uploaded on November 28, 2005, that became the most-viewed YouTube video for a time (later surpassed by Judson Laipply's Evolution of Dance) until it was eventually taken down due to copyright infringement after surpassing 24 million views.[5][10]

They shifted on making sketch comedy skits, such as the Food Battle[11] and If It Were Real[12] series. The viral videos helped Smosh become the most-subscribed YouTube channel on three separate occasions.[5] Before the third such occasion, Smosh was acquired by Defy Media (then Alloy Digital) in 2011.[10] Hecox created an individual channel in 2006, "IanH", which became Smosh's second channel for behind-the-scenes videos and series such as "Lunchtime with Smosh" and his own series "Ian Is Bored".[13][14] Hecox also ventured into feature film with Smosh, co-producing and acting in the films Smosh: The Movie (2015) and Ghostmates (2016).[15][16]

 
Hecox at VidCon in 2014

Despite the growth and expansion the channel received,[5][10] Padilla left Smosh in 2017 to focus on independent solo ventures. Hecox stayed, as according to him, "I'm really looking forward to taking Smosh to the next phase, and we can't wait for people to see what we have coming up."[17] He and Padilla publicly stated that they remained friends following the latter's departure,[18] although Hecox would later state that their friendship was actually strained until they reconnected in 2022.[19] Hecox remained the only original member of Smosh since its inception, and was credited for continuing the success of the channel.[18][20] JJ Rankin of Screen Rant wrote of his role as a comedian that he "balances both exaggerated and muted humor scenes effortlessly and can engage audiences with his self-aware comedy."[20]

After Padilla's departure, Hecox became more involved with the business aspects of the channel.[1] Defy Media shut down in 2018, leaving Hecox to seek new investors to keep the channel going.[21][22] In February 2019, Smosh was bought in by Rhett & Link,[23] who remained the owners until June 20, 2023, when Hecox, alongside Padilla (who returned), announced that they purchased and acquired Smosh to be independent once again.[19]

Outside Smosh

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Hecox was a producer for the web series Krogzilla, and was also an executive producer for the series Oishi High School Battle, for 23 episodes between 2012 and 2014.[24][25] Hecox acted in The Angry Birds Movie (2016)[26] and Hedgehogs (2017).[27] In 2016, Hecox made a guest appearance on an episode of Chelsea.[28] He also hosted a weekly series for the streaming service Crackle in 2017,[29] and starred in the Tastemade cooking series "Sunday at Nana's" in 2019.[30]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2015 Smosh: The Movie Himself Main role [31]
2016 The Angry Birds Movie Bubbles Voice [32]
Hal and Bubbles Voice; short film [33]
Hedgehogs Maddox Voice; English dub [34]
Ghostmates Eddie Clayton Main role [35]

Television

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Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2015 Ridiculousness Himself Episode: Smosh [36]
2016 Chelsea [28]
Scare PewDiePie Episode: "Naughty Pie" [36]
2017 This Week On [37]

Web

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Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2005–present Smosh Himself,

various characters

2013 Ray William Johnson Himself Episode: "RWJ vs Smosh" [38]
2014 Epic Rap Battles of History Michelangelo Episode: "Artists vs TMNT" [39]
2016 Part Timers Ian Main role [40]
2012–2015, 2017 YouTube Rewind Himself Episode: "Rewind YouTube Style 2012"
Episode: "What Does 2013 Say?"
Episode: "Turn Down for 2014"
Episode: "Now Watch Me 2015"
Episode: "The Shape of 2017" 		[41]

[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Leszczynski, Jimmy (July 15, 2020). "Smosh Creator Ian Hecox On Early Days, Movie Experience, GDFN & More". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Stanley, Grace (June 23, 2022). "From Myspace to Mythical, Smosh co-founder Ian Hecox and CEO Daniel Tibbets share how the brand has grown over 16 years". The Daily Dot. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  3. ^ Lange, Patricia (November 15, 2019). Thanks for Watching: An Anthropological Study of Video Sharing on YouTube. University Press of Colorado. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-60732-955-8. LCCN 2019025982. OCLC 1110676050. Retrieved May 24, 2023. Original content was also offered by Smosh, [...], officially known as Ian Andrew Hecox [...].
  4. ^ Grzesiak, Mateusz (April 3, 2018). Personal Brand Creation in the Digital Age: Theory, Research and Practice. Springer Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-3-319-69696-6. LCCN 2017957652. OCLC 1029352544. Retrieved May 24, 2023. ...Ian Hecox (born November 30, 1987 in Sacramento)...
  5. ^ a b c d e Borden, Jane (July 16, 2015). "How Sacramento's YouTube darlings Smosh went Hollywood and scored big time". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  6. ^ Dotel, Alisha (23 June 2023). "Meet Smosh Co-founder Ian Hecox Mom Sharon Hecox and Dad Stephan Hecox". The Family Nation. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Smosh Answer The Web's Most Searched Questions. Wired. July 28, 2023. Event occurs at 2:12. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  8. ^ Petersen, Anne Helen (July 26, 2015). "Forever Young: How Smosh Plans To Build A YouTube Fame That'll Last". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Yee, Curtis (January 23, 2020). "The Sketch Artist". Sactown Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Dreier, Troy (October 4, 2012). "Smosh: YouTube Gods and Unlikely Online Video Superstars". Streaming Media Magazine. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Sam Gutelle (October 19, 2012). "After Three Week Long Bracket, Smosh Guys Have 'Food Battle 2012′". Tubefilter. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  12. ^ Tina Amini (April 17, 2012). "It's Silly When Video Games Try To Be Real". Kotaku. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  13. ^ Acuna, Kirsten (August 1, 2015). "THE ORIGINAL YOUTUBE STARS: How Smosh went from making a ridiculous Pokémon video to building a comedy empire". Insider. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Lee, Melly (April 3, 2012). "Smosh: New Media Personalities". New Media Rockstars. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  15. ^ Hale, Mike (July 23, 2015). "Review: 'Smosh: The Movie' Wades Through YouTube's Shallows". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Dry, Jude (January 4, 2017). "Smosh Grows Up: After 10 Years on YouTube, The Online Comedy Empire Continues to Evolve". IndieWire. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  17. ^ Spangler, Todd (June 14, 2017). "Smosh Co-Founder Anthony Padilla Is Leaving the YouTube Comedy Group". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Rolli, Bryan (August 14, 2017). "15 things you didn't know about Smosh, one of YouTube's biggest channels". The Daily Dot. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (2023-06-20). "Smosh Co-Founders Anthony Padilla, Ian Hecox Reunite to Acquire Comedy Brand From Rhett & Link (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  20. ^ a b Rankin, JJ (April 24, 2022). "The Cast of YouTube Comedy Group Smosh, Ranked By Comic Abilities". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 6, 2018). "Defy Media Is Shutting Down, Will Lay Off Employees". Variety. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ^ SmoshCast (February 23, 2019). "HOW SMOSH BEAT DEFY - SmoshCast #1". YouTube. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  23. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 22, 2019). "Smosh Acquired By Rhett & Link's Mythical Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  24. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 4, 2012). "Shut Up! Cartoons Debuts 'Krogzilla'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Zahed, Ramin (May 4, 2012). "SMOSH's Shut Up Cartoons Delivers Strong Numbers". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  26. ^ McNary, Dave (October 1, 2014). "'Angry Birds' Movie Casts Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Maya Rudolph". Variety. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  27. ^ Weiss, Geoff (December 18, 2017). "Anthony Padilla, Jenn McAllister Lend Voices To Lionsgate's 'Hedgehogs' Film". Tubefilter. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Nededog, Jethro (September 29, 2016). "We spent a day with Chelsea Handler on the set of her Netflix talk show — here's your behind-the-scenes look". Insider. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  29. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 19, 2017). "Sony's Crackle Greenlights Shows From 50 Cent, Smosh's Ian Hecox; Renews 'Snatch,' 'SuperMansion'". Variety. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  30. ^ Lopez, Matt (August 7, 2019). "Angela Kinsey, Ian Hecox to Star in New Facebook Watch Shows for Tastemade". TheWrap. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  31. ^ Gutelle, Sam (April 16, 2015). "'Smosh: The Movie' To Arrive On July 23rd At VidCon". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  32. ^ McNary, Dave (October 1, 2014). "'Angry Birds' Movie Casts Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Maya Rudolph". Variety. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  33. ^ Angry Birds (May 12, 2016). "The Angry Birds Movie - Hal and Bubbles". YouTube. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  34. ^ Weiss, Geoff (December 18, 2017). "Anthony Padilla, Jenn McAllister Lend Voices To Lionsgate's 'Hedgehogs' Film". Tubefilter. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  35. ^ Solsman, Joan (December 4, 2016). "Smosh's 'Ghostmates' is dead serious about storytelling". CNET. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Ian Hecox". TV Guide. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Weiss, Geoff (April 19, 2017). "Crackle Greenlights Series Starring Smosh's Ian Hecox, Dramas From 50 Cent". Tubefilter. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  38. ^ Cohen, Joshua (January 16, 2013). "#1, #2 YouTubers Smosh, Ray William Johnson Collab In Funny Video". Tubefilter. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  39. ^ Cohen, Joshua (July 14, 2014). "Smosh, Rhett & Link, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle On Season Finale Of 'ERB'". Tubefilter. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  40. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 5, 2015). "YouTube's Smosh Guys to Star in 'Part Timers' Scripted Comedy". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  41. ^ "SeedwellProduces "Rewind YouTube Style 2012and Star-Studded YouTube Celebrity Cast". Seedwell Blog. December 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  42. ^ Griffin, Andrew (December 9, 2014). "YouTube Rewind: Vloggers team up to re-create a year of viral videos". The Independent. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
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