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River Butcher
River Butcher
River Butcher
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River Buddy Butcher[1] (born August 12, 1982) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcast host. He is best known for personal, observational comedy focused on his vegetarianism, feminism, love of baseball, and experiences as a queer person.[2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Butcher was raised in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron, Ohio,[3][4] an only child whose parents divorced when Butcher was one month old.[5] He attended Our Lady of the Elms High School[6] and graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School in 2001.[7]

While attending the University of Akron, Butcher worked at a skateboard shop named Summer Squall[8] and an indoor skating facility called Joe's Skate Park,[9] and helped design a skatepark that opened in Akron in 2001.[9] He graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in printmaking in 2005.[7][5] Butcher attended graduate school at University of Notre Dame.[7]

In 2006, Butcher had an exhibit at a printmaker’s show called "Prints at an Exposition".[10] This exhibit, which was a series of prints on muslin showing the body's organs, was inspired by his own appendectomy.[10]

Comedy career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Butcher began his comedy career performing improv in Chicago at The Second City and has since performed stand-up at clubs including Zanies, the Jukebox, and Flappers, as well as Chicago Underground Comedy, The Hideout, The Lincoln Lodge, UCB, Cole's, and Meltdown.[11][12] He made his late-night debut on Conan in June 2016.[13][14]

2014–present

[edit]

In the fall of 2014, Butcher appeared alongside Cameron Esposito in a series of videos for BuzzFeed Motion Pictures titled "Ask a Lesbian".[15][16] Butcher and Esposito also co-hosted the web series "She Said" for Amy Poehler's Smart Girls Network.[17] The two wrote and starred together again in Take My Wife, on the comedy streaming service Seeso.[18][19] Butcher also co-hosted the stand-up comedy podcast Put Your Hands Together with Cameron Esposito, which was recorded weekly in front of a live audience at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles until it ended in July 2019.[20][21][22]

His first comedy album Butcher was released in August 2016 by the independent record label Kill Rock Stars.[23][24] The set was performed at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon.[25] It debuted at number one on iTunes.[5]

In 2016, he appeared in 8 episodes of the first season of Adam Ruins Everything. He returned in 2017 for one additional appearance.

In 2018, he started hosting a baseball-focused podcast called Three Swings.[26]

In 2021, he appeared on Comedy Central Stand Up Presenting called A Different Kind of Dude.[27]

As stated in an interview, Butcher said his strongest comedy influences are Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres, Brett Butler, Elayne Boosler, Maria Bamford, and Paul F. Tompkins.[28]

Voice acting

[edit]

Butcher provided the voice for Asher, a fictional nonbinary character, for the animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, released in 2020.

Personal life

[edit]

Butcher met fellow comedian Cameron Esposito at an open mic hosted by Esposito.[29] The two soon started collaborating and then began to date.[29] On December 12, 2015, Butcher and Esposito married onstage at The Hideout in Esposito's hometown of Chicago, Illinois.[30][31] In August 2018, Butcher and Esposito announced their separation to "live individual lives".[32] Their split was covered in a Vanity Fair article.[31] In September 2019, Esposito wrote an article for the New York Times discussing the couple's pending divorce.[33]

Butcher is a trans man and uses he and they pronouns.[1][34] In November 2021, Butcher announced that he had changed his name to River.[1]

Butcher endorsed Kenneth Mejia and Eunisses Hernandez during the 2022 Los Angeles elections and Jill Stein in the 2024 presidential election.[35][36]

Notable appearances

[edit]
Title Medium Role Year
Put Your Hands Together Podcast Host 2013–2019
Wham Bam Pow Podcast Host 2013–2015
She Said Web Video Series Host 2015
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Television Jamie 2016
Conan[13] Television Guest 2016
Take My Wife[37] Television Self 2016–2018
Adam Ruins Everything Television Self 2016
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail Television Guest 2016
HarmonQuest Television Guest 2016
Queery Podcast Guest 2018
Good Mythical Morning YouTube Guest 2018
Three Swings Podcast Host 2018–present
Good Trouble Television Lindsay Brady 2019–2021
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Television Voice of Asher 2020
Friendsgiving Film Denim 2020

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

River Butcher

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
River Butcher (born August 12, 1982) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer based in , originally from . Born female, Butcher publicly transitioned to male presentation during the , beginning testosterone therapy in his late 30s, undergoing top surgery, and adopting the name River in 2021 after previously going by Rhea Butcher and RB Butcher. Butcher gained recognition for observational comedy specials such as A Different Kind of Dude (2022), which addressed gender pronouns, cultural norms around , and pandemic-era changes including his own transition, and Someone's Boyfriend (2023), both released on via . His humor often draws on personal experiences with , , , skateboarding, and navigating life as a transitioned individual in contemporary society, earning praise for commentary on cultural divides. Butcher has appeared in television roles including Lindsay Brady on Good Trouble and voice work in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, and contributed writing to projects like the pilot Belated and . He was named one of Vanity Fair's Ten Comics to Watch at the festival in 2017.

Early life and background

Childhood and upbringing

River Butcher was born and raised in , as an only child in a working-class family. His parents divorced one month after his birth, after which he was primarily raised by his mother. Butcher has described his family background as having a "" quality, reflecting a rural-influenced, blue-collar upbringing in the industrial Midwest city. During childhood, he engaged in on the streets of Akron, an activity that shaped early interests amid a environment lacking visible . He has recounted feeling isolated as a young person in this setting, with no gay parents or mentors, leading to a sense of solitude. Exposures to conventional messages about gender and sexuality in Akron during this period influenced Butcher's later comedic reflections, including recollections of simplistic or "goofy" familial and cultural narratives around sex differences. These experiences, combined with early personal awareness of sexual orientation, contributed to a formative environment marked by independence and limited external validation for non-conforming identity.

Influences and early interests

Butcher was introduced to during childhood in , by their mother through television programming. As an raised primarily by their mother following their parents' , Butcher frequently watched comedy specials and shows, fostering an early fascination with the form. Among the performers Butcher recalls viewing at the time are , , Brett Butler, , and , whose styles emphasized personal observation and boundary-pushing humor. Butcher has described regularly tuning into Stand Up Spotlight on , a program that showcased emerging and established comedians and further solidified their interest in live performance comedy. This exposure shaped Butcher's appreciation for stand-up as a medium for authentic , distinct from scripted television, and influenced their later focus on themes like identity and everyday absurdities.

Comedy career

Stand-up beginnings

River Butcher, then performing as Rhea Butcher, initiated their stand-up comedy career in circa 2011 by participating in nights. Their entry point included the prominent Cole's , hosted by fellow comedian , at which Butcher first encountered their future spouse while still relatively new to the scene and maintaining a day job. Preceding dedicated stand-up efforts, Butcher had relocated to in their early twenties after earning a printmaking degree from the and enrolled in improv classes at , laying foundational performance skills. This groundwork transitioned into stand-up at local venues such as Zanies and the , marking initial professional exposure in the city's comedy circuit before relocating to in 2012. Butcher's longstanding interest in comedy stemmed from childhood exposure to stand-up via VH1's Stand Up Spotlight, which featured sets from comedians like , fostering an early appreciation for the form amid a background in and in . These beginnings emphasized personal material drawn from Midwestern roots, setting the stage for Butcher's distinctive voice in observational and identity-inflected humor.

Podcasting and collaborations

River Butcher co-hosted the podcast Put Your Hands Together with comedian from 2013 to 2019, adapting their live Los Angeles stand-up showcase into an audio format that featured sets from emerging performers, industry discussions, and a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices in . The show began with all-male lineups but evolved to prioritize diversity as Esposito's influence grew, creating opportunities for marginalized comedians through curated bookings and production roles. Butcher hosted Three Swings, a podcast examining through lenses of , , , and race, reflecting their longstanding interest in the sport as a "long-suffering" fan. The series offered "radically sensible" commentary on the game and its societal intersections, produced under the Forever Dog network. In 2023, Butcher launched The Knew Guys, co-hosted with comedian , which explores through interviews with trans men and others, addressing topics like dynamics and personal experiences. Episodes feature guest discussions on manhood's absurdities and evolutions, with Butcher (he/him) and Dunn (he/they) drawing from their transitions; the releases irregularly, with recent episodes in 2024 covering historical figures in queer sports. Butcher has collaborated on guest appearances across networks like and , including episodes of Comedy Bang! Bang! and Stop Podcasting Yourself, often discussing comedy, identity, and . In August 2025, Butcher and Esposito announced plans for a new joint project, though details remain undisclosed.

Television, film, and voice work

Butcher co-created and starred in the semi-autobiographical comedy series Take My Wife (2016–2018) on , portraying a fictionalized version of themselves alongside spouse . The series, which drew from their real-life relationship and stand-up routines, received positive reviews for its authentic depiction of domesticity and comedy. Butcher made recurring live-action appearances as a performer in the educational comedy series (2015–2018), contributing to segments that debunked common misconceptions through humor and facts. Butcher also portrayed Lindsay Brady, a character, in multiple episodes of the Freeform drama Good Trouble (2019–2023), a spin-off of The Fosters focused on young professionals in . In film, Butcher played the supporting role of Denim in the ensemble comedy Friendsgiving (2020), which centered on a chaotic Thanksgiving gathering among friends. Butcher additionally appeared in the anthology-style comedy Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia (2020), contributing to its surreal, sketch-based narrative. For voice work, Butcher voiced Asher, a supporting character, in six episodes of the Netflix animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (2020), a post-apocalyptic adventure featuring anthropomorphic animals and human survivors. Butcher also provided voice acting in the short film Gorditx (2022), playing Levi Bernhardt.

Stand-up specials and tours

River Butcher released their first half-hour stand-up special, A Different Kind of Dude, on on January 27, 2022, which was later made available on . The special features observational humor on topics including gender pronouns, truck testicle decorations, and large fires. Butcher's debut full-hour special, Someone's Boyfriend, premiered on on December 14, 2023, produced in association with Comedy Studios. It explores the and experience alongside everyday absurdities, marking Butcher's expansion from shorter formats. Butcher has maintained an active touring schedule, performing at venues across the , including Comedy Works in from August 4 to 6, 2022. As of 2025, Butcher continues nationwide tours focusing on comedy about life. Recent and upcoming dates include shows at Helium Comedy Club in Portland for a special taping on June 4, 2025, and the Comedy Attic on May 30, 2025. Tickets for these performances are available through Butcher's official website.

Personal life

Relationships and marriage

Butcher married comedian on December 12, 2015, onstage at The Hideout venue in , , during a live performance. The couple, both active in , had met years earlier through mutual professional circles and collaborated on projects including the joint podcast Put Your Hands Together (2011–2016) and the Seeso web series Take My Wife (2016–2018), which drew from their shared life as touring performers. Esposito publicly announced their separation on August 8, 2018, via , stating, "Rhea & i are separating to live individual lives for a time." The split followed approximately three years of and was described by Esposito in subsequent reflections as a mutual decision amid personal growth, though no details on legal divorce proceedings were disclosed publicly. No children resulted from the union. No subsequent marriages for Butcher have been reported as of 2025. A 2021 Instagram post referenced a partner named Murrah Leigh, but the relationship's status remains unconfirmed in public records or recent statements.

Gender transition and identity

River Butcher publicly came out as non-binary in November 2021, announcing a from Rhea Butcher and describing their transition as retroactive, stating, "I made myself small for many reasons over my 39 years and I am on a path to take up the space I deserve as a non-binary trans person." They use both they/them and he/him pronouns in professional and personal contexts. Butcher began hormone replacement therapy with testosterone on July 26, 2020, marking the start of medical aspects of their transition. They underwent chest masculinization surgery, commonly referred to as top surgery, around 2020. In a May 2023 personal essay published in SELF magazine, Butcher attributed significant mental health improvements to these interventions, reporting reduced dysphoria and enhanced well-being despite broader societal debates on gender-affirming treatments; the account is anecdotal and self-reported, reflecting individual experience rather than controlled clinical outcomes. Butcher has frequently discussed their and transition in , including explorations of experiences in the 2023 hour-long special Someone's Boyfriend, which addresses and trans absurdities. Their official website describes ongoing tours in 2025 focused on "telling jokes about being trans," integrating these themes into observational humor alongside topics like and . In an August 2025 birthday reflection, Butcher expressed gratitude for access to , surgery, and supportive therapy, crediting these elements alongside personal relationships for reaching age 43. Prior to the 2021 announcement, Butcher had voiced uncertainty about in a 2019 appearance, indicating an evolving self-understanding.

Reception and impact

Critical reception and achievements

River Butcher's comedy has garnered praise for its personal, observational style, often centering themes of , , , and experiences. Critics have highlighted the authenticity and subversive edge of his stand-up, with a 2022 Los Angeles Times profile describing his act as fueled by an evolving identity that resists final categorization, contributing to its appeal in niche comedy circuits. His 2022 Comedy Central half-hour special A Different Kind of Dude received positive notices for blending humor with introspection on and transition, with Autostraddle reviewer Heather Hogan commending Butcher for transforming everyday "guy" observations into relatable art. The co-created series Take My Wife (2016), starring Butcher alongside spouse , premiered to critical acclaim, earning reviews from Vanity Fair, , , and for its charming depiction of married life; specifically noted its role in elevating the streaming platform through witty, couple-driven sketches. The series received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Among achievements, Butcher's debut stand-up album (2016) debuted at number one on the comedy chart. In 2017, he was selected as one of Variety's Top Ten Comics to Watch at the festival in , recognizing his rapid rise just six years into professional . Vanity Fair similarly included him on its list of ten comics to watch that year at the same event. Butcher has released two total, including Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootleg (date not specified in sources), further solidifying his presence in podcast and audio formats.

Controversies and criticisms

Butcher publicly criticized the website in a December 2018 tweet, stating that it did "not represent" him or his friends and describing its content as "regressive, outdated, and exclusionary." This occurred amid 's editorial shift toward articles questioning the integration of women into spaces and highlighting risks of rapid medical transitions, which drew accusations of transphobia from progressive LGBTQ outlets. Butcher's intervention contributed to the site's advertiser exodus and rebranding efforts, though maintained its focus on biological sex-based analysis of cases and erasure of same-sex attraction. In the comedy sphere, Butcher has expressed opposition to anti-trans material, decrying in a March 2022 how such routines by high-profile performers generate substantial revenue "off of hate." This position has positioned him within ongoing industry tensions over content boundaries, where critics from free-speech advocates argue it stifles observational humor on sex differences and gender nonconformity. Butcher's own specials, emphasizing personal narratives over conventional punchlines, have elicited mixed audience feedback, with some reviewers and fans noting a preference for that occasionally dilutes comedic punch. The 2018 separation from spouse , announced on August 8 as a temporary measure amid personal growth, drew minor speculation in circles but no substantiated allegations of . Esposito later remarried, while Butcher proceeded with and top surgery, framing the transition as enhancing without regret in a May 2023 personal essay. No formal complaints or legal issues have emerged from the dissolution.

Recent developments

Ongoing projects and tours

River Butcher maintains an active tour across the , with performances featuring material on life in 2025. Butcher is also contributing as a writer to the pilot Belated. Guest appearances on podcasts continue, including a discussion on the Trucks episode released October 16, 2025.

Public engagements and endorsements

River Butcher has participated in various public engagements, primarily through comedy performances, festival appearances, and media interviews. In July 2023, Butcher performed at the festival in , discussing influences from representation in comedy and the role of humor in fostering joy. Butcher also guested on the Don't Ask Tig on June 21, 2023, offering advice on interpersonal conflicts such as parental privacy invasions and relationship dynamics. In March 2025, Butcher appeared on the , engaging in discussions on hypothetical scenarios and cultural references. Butcher scheduled a live stand-up show at the White Rabbit Cabaret in on May 28, 2025, following an interview highlighting Midwest roots and comedy's evolution. Additional engagements include a return to for the Columbus comedy festival in August 2024, where Butcher reflected on Akron origins and trans experiences in . These appearances often emphasize personal storytelling over traditional punchlines, as noted in a January 2023 interview addressing audience interactions and pandemic-era material. Specific endorsements by Butcher are not extensively documented in . In a November 2021 name-change announcement, Butcher advocated for societal spaces supportive of trans individuals, framing it as a call for amid personal transition. Earlier collaborative work, such as co-hosting the Put Your Hands Together podcast with in 2020, promoted platforms amplifying marginalized comedians, aligning with labor-oriented discussions on inclusive live comedy production. No verified political candidate endorsements were identified.

References

  1. https://www.riverbutcher.com/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/river_butcher
  3. https://www.self.com/story/gender-transition-mental-health-essay
  4. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/nonbinary-comic-river-butcher-changes-their-name-urges-followers-to-create-a-loving-space-for-trans-people-in-our-society-222616821.html
  5. https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/comedian-rhea-butcher-is-the-real-deal/
  6. https://lezwatchtv.com/actor/river-butcher/
  7. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/local/2017/10/06/rhea-butcher-cameron-esposito-comedy/10749657007/
  8. https://teamcoco.com/podcasts/the-juice/episodes/hillbilly-juice-w-river-butcher
  9. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-05-06/river-butcher-hasnt-found-a-final-form-that-no-one-will-fuels-his-subversive-comedy
  10. https://dallasvoice.com/putting-butch-butcher/
  11. https://www.clevescene.com/news/a-northeast-ohio-native-comedian-rhea-butcher-to-perform-at-hilarities-4949437/
  12. https://www.npr.org/2016/10/10/497425091/cameron-esposito-rhea-butcher-jeff-garlin
  13. https://www.wbur.org/news/2017/11/02/comedy-wives-cameron-esposito-rhea-butcher
  14. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/rhea-butcher/
  15. https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I967969
  16. https://www.ideastream.org/news/arts-culture/2016-08-26/comedian-rhea-butcher-keeps-akron-at-the-heart-of-her-success
  17. https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/cameron-esposito-rhea-butcher-breakup-8469356/
  18. https://mediacommons.org/imr/content/labor-politics-cameron-esposito-and-river-butchers-put-your-hands-together-podcast
  19. https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/three-swings/
  20. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-knew-guys/id1689958323
  21. https://tinkmedia.co/interviews/river-butcher-gabe-dunn
  22. https://redcircle.com/shows/the-knew-guys
  23. https://www.earwolf.com/person/river-butcher/
  24. https://maximumfun.org/episodes/stop-podcasting-yourself/stop-podcasting-yourself-750-river-butcher/
  25. https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/1mnm245/cameron_esposito_river_butcher_tease_a_new/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5034326/
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWBjutaBfw
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05fSVMhsOCY
  29. https://comedyworks.com/comedians/river-butcher
  30. https://www.facebook.com/riverbutcher/
  31. https://app.opendate.io/e/lcf-river-butcher-may-30-2025-580715
  32. https://www.autostraddle.com/river-butcher-review-different-kind-of-guy/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5949986/
  34. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/08/comedians-cameron-esposito-and-rhea-butcher-announce-their-split
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/style/modern-love-cameron-esposito-divorce.html
  36. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/rhea-butcher
  37. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSzlgsKJI_M/
  38. https://www.instagram.com/p/CvDEjm-xvK_/?hl=en
  39. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJj9_DYgRhZ/?hl=en
  40. https://www.instagram.com/p/DNQkQGGR_ZZ/?hl=en
  41. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6429056/
  42. https://cultmtl.com/2023/07/river-butcher-got-into-comedy-to-bring-the-joy-interview/
  43. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6429056/bio/
  44. https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/river-butcher-talks-jokes-versus-storytelling-and-heckling-versus-cackling-37392090/
  45. https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2019/2/13/afterellen-was-refuge-all-queer-women-until-it-wasnt
  46. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trans-comedian-river-butcher-is-sick-of-transphobic-comics-making-millions-of-dollars-off-of-hate/
  47. https://shows.acast.com/last-laugh-daily-beast/episodes/riverbutcher-adifferentkindofdude-
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhe9WIAQsOc
  49. https://www.dontasktig.org/episode/2023/06/21/river-butcher
  50. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/back-to-the-future-w-river-butcher/id1527948382?i=1000698848734
  51. https://www.nuvo.net/entertainment/a-conversation-with-comedian-river-butcher/article_2da8b2fa-75ff-4493-8294-380fd8ed3108.html
  52. https://columbusunderground.com/interview-akron-native-river-butcher-returns-to-ohio-for-comedy-festival-tbf1/
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