Arin Hanson

Early Life and Family Background

Arin Joseph Hanson was born on January 6, 1987, in Margate, Florida, to Lloyd and Maurette Hanson. While the family briefly resided in New Hampshire, Hanson primarily spent his youth in Florida, specifically around the West Palm Beach area.

His mother, Maurette, established a career as a charitable founder and horse enthusiast, a passion she developed during her own childhood in Connecticut.

His father, Lloyd, was a musician who introduced Hanson to video games at a young age, frequently playing titles such as Dig Dug and various Nintendo Entertainment System games until Hanson's skills surpassed his own. Hanson grew up with an older brother, Nathan, who is three years his senior and later served as an aviator in the United States Air Force.

Education and Departure from High School

Hanson's formal education concluded prematurely during his sophomore year of high school. In a 2018 recounting of the event, Hanson detailed that his family moved to a new district, which required him to transfer from a well-regarded school to one he described as significantly lower in quality.

On his day, the administration failed to assign him a curriculum, leaving him to sit in an office for hours. When his mother discovered the administrative negligence and the school's poor standing, she withdrew him immediately. Hanson subsequently pursued a General Educational Development (GED) certification, which he completed shortly after leaving school.

He has frequently described the GED test as "the easiest test" he ever took, noting that he had his certification in hand before his peers had even reached their winter break.

Artistic Beginnings and "Egoraptor"

From a young age, Hanson demonstrated a strong aptitude for the arts, experimenting with stop-motion animation and voice acting. He adopted the online pseudonym "Egoraptor" and joined the content sharing platform Newgrounds in September 2001.

His early work involved submitting voice clips for other animators' projects before he began producing his own Flash animations. His breakout success came with the release of Metal Gear Awesome in 2006, a parody that garnered significant attention and was later featured on MTV's online gaming portal.

This success validated his decision to focus on digital content creation rather than traditional higher education.

Personal Life and Relocation

During his teenage years, Hanson met Suzanne "Suzy" Berhow at a convention in 2002. The two began dating shortly thereafter, establishing a long-term partnership that would later extend into their professional lives. In July 2009, Hanson moved from his parents' home in Florida to California to further pursue his career in animation and voice acting.

This relocation marked the end of his early life in the South and the beginning of his transition into a full-time internet personality and professional voice actor.

Summary of Early Milestones

Animation Career and The "Egoraptor" Legacy

By 2015, Arin Hanson had largely transitioned from producing solo Flash animation to managing the Game Grumps brand, though he continued to use his "Egoraptor" persona for professional voice work and live touring. While the frequency of his personal animated output decreased due to the time-intensive nature of the medium and shifting YouTube algorithms, Hanson successfully pivoted into mainstream voice acting and live performance art centered on animation.

Professional Voice Acting (2015, 2025)

Hanson utilized his background in independent animation to secure roles in television and video games, frequently collaborating with creators from the Newgrounds digital art community. His vocal range, honed through years of internet sketches, allowed him to inhabit grotesque and comedic characters in major network productions.

Between 2016 and 2018, Hanson provided the voice for Gateaux, the monosyllabic cat-wizard partner of the villain Moribidia, in Cartoon Network's Mighty Magiswords. Series creator Kyle Carrozza originally method Hanson for character design work before casting him, unaware of Hanson's existing membership in SAG-AFTRA. Hanson also voiced recurring characters such as Fibby Croax and Delivery Man Steve for the series.

In 2020, Hanson was cast in Disney's The Owl House, created by Dana Terrace. He voiced The Snaggleback, a recurring creature, and later took on the pivotal role of "Papa Titan," the ancient being whose remains form the show's setting, the Boiling Isles. His performance as Papa Titan in the series finale, "Watching and Dreaming" (2023), was a significant dramatic departure from his usual comedic archetypes.

Hanson's voice credits during this period also include:

Scribble Showdown and Live Performance

In October 2019, Hanson launched Scribble Showdown, a live improvisational animation tour. The show functioned as a competitive "game show" where Hanson hosted a panel of prominent YouTube animators, including TheOdd1sOut (Robert James Rallison), Jaiden Animations, Domics, and RubberRoss (Ross O'Donovan).

The format required the animators to draw rapidly based on audience prompts and challenges, gamifying the animation process for a live theater audience.

The tour proved commercially successful, expanding to international venues. In December 2021, the troupe performed at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, and in May 2022, they brought the show to the United Kingdom and Europe. A spin-off tour, Scribble After Dark, was introduced for adult audiences, featuring uncensored prompts and stricter age restrictions.

This venture allowed Hanson to maintain his status as a figurehead in the online animation community without returning to the solitary production of animated shorts.

Musical Animation and Starbomb

Hanson continued to serve as the visual director for Starbomb, his musical comedy trio with Dan Avidan and Brian Wecht. While early music videos were frequently animated by Hanson himself, later projects saw him directing teams of animators to execute his vision. For the 2019 album The TryForce, Hanson oversaw the production of animated music videos for tracks like "Blowing the Payload" and "A Boy and His Boat."

In 2024, for the release of the album Starbomb Boom: Rise of Lyrics, Hanson collaborated with animator Shoocharu for the "Pokémon Smash or Pass" music video. Although he no longer animated every frame personally, the "Egoraptor" channel remained the primary distribution hub for these projects, keeping the channel active with millions of subscribers even with the cessation of his solo Awesome Series cartoons.

Game Grumps (2015, 2025)

By 2015, Game Grumps had established itself as a of the "Let's Play" genre, with Arin Hanson serving as the "Grump" counterpart to Dan Avidan's "Not So Grump." Between 2015 and 2025, the channel underwent significant structural changes, expanded into game development, and diversified its revenue streams through touring and merchandise.

As of late 2025, the channel maintained a subscriber base of approximately 5. 44 million.

Personnel Changes and Studio Expansion

The show experienced several key departures during this period. Longtime editor and host Barry Kramer officially left the company on December 21, 2017, to pursue his own creative projects.

Editors Matt Watson and Ryan Magee, known shared as SuperMega, departed on May 3, 2019, to focus on their own channel; they were succeeded by Ben Anderson and later Tony MacDowell.

Ross O'Donovan, a core member since the channel's early days, gradually stepped back from day-to-day involvement around 2020 to focus on his animation career and streaming channel, RubberRoss, though he remained on good terms with the group.

In August 2019, the production moved from their previous workspace to a larger office in Glendale, California. This facility was designed to accommodate an expanding team and in-house merchandise operations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequently referred to by the hosts as the "Backstreet Boys Reunion Tour" to avoid algorithmic demonetization, recording shifted to remote setups and later to Hanson's home before returning to the studio in July 2021.

Content Evolution and The Grumps

To separate live-action comedy from gaming content, Hanson launched a new channel titled The Grumps in 2019. This channel became the home for 10 Minute Power Hour, a variety segment that originally premiered on the main channel in April 2018. The show features Hanson and Avidan engaging in improvisational activities, frequently with guests.

After a hiatus during the pandemic, the series returned for a second season in March 2022.

Game Development and Publishing

Hanson transitioned Game Grumps into a game publisher and developer, releasing three major titles between 2017 and 2023.

The marketing campaign for Soviet Jump Game in late 2019 drew attention for its "alternate reality" narrative, where Hanson claimed to have discovered a lost game cartridge for the Dendy console. While fans criticized the campaign for blurring the lines between content and advertising, Hanson maintained that the lore was intended as an entertainment piece.

Touring and Live Events

In January 2018, Hanson co-founded Real Good Touring, a tour management company designed to support internet personalities and independent performers. The company managed Game Grumps Live tours, including "The Final Party" (2019) and the "Tournament of Gamers" (2023), which performed in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, and Australia.

The touring arm allowed the brand to monetize live audience engagement directly, independent of YouTube's advertising revenue.

Philanthropy and Other Ventures

Hanson and the Game Grumps team participated in multiple high-profile charity events. In December 2020, they joined The Game Theorists for a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital charity stream that raised over $3 million. The group also hosted standalone streams supporting the Healing Horse Therapy Center, a non-profit founded by Hanson's mother, raising approximately $68, 000 during a single event in June 2016.

Musically, Hanson continued his work with the comedy trio Starbomb. Their third studio album, The TryForce, was released on April 19, 2019, reaching number 44 on the Scottish Albums Chart and number 47 on the UK Album Sales Chart.

also, Hanson authored the mystery Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau (2020) under the pseudonym Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills, playing the character in promotional videos.

Starbomb and Musical Projects

Between 2015 and 2025, Arin Hanson significantly expanded his musical output, primarily through his comedy hip-hop group Starbomb and collaborations with the synth-pop duo Ninja Sex Party (NSP). Starbomb, composed of Hanson (rapping vocals), Dan Avidan (sung vocals), and Brian Wecht (instrumentation), focuses on video game parodies and satire.

During this period, the group released two studio albums and navigated a temporary hiatus before returning with new material in 2024.

On April 19, 2019, Starbomb released their third studio album, The TryForce. The album was marketed as the conclusion of a trilogy and chance the group's final project.

It featured 14 tracks, including "Hardest F**king Game In The World," "A Boy And His Boat," and "The Simple Plot Of Kingdom Hearts." The album also included "Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Skit," a reference to the visual Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, for which Hanson served as executive producer and voice actor.

The TryForce achieved commercial success, debuting at number one on the iTunes Comedy charts and reaching the top 10 on the in total iTunes album chart.

Following a five-year hiatus, Starbomb reformed to release their fourth studio album, Starbomb Boom: Rise of Lyrics, on October 25, 2024. The production process for this album differed from previous releases, with the group challenging themselves to write and record each song within a single day.

The album features tracks such as "Pokémon Smash or Pass," "Kiss The Elden Ring," and "Nintendo Online's Greatest Announcement." Two singles preceded the album: "Pokémon Smash or Pass," released on August 16, 2024, and "Kiss The Elden Ring," which accompanied the album's launch.

Beyond Starbomb, Hanson maintained a consistent collaborative relationship with Ninja Sex Party. He provided spoken vocals and character work for several of their tracks and music videos.

Notable appearances include the 2017 single "Eating Food in the Shower," where he portrayed a mariachi band member, and the 2018 hit "Danny Don't You Know," in which he appeared as a friend of the protagonist. Hanson also contributed voice work to "Release the Kraken" (2018) and appeared in the music videos for "Orgy for One" and "Heart Boner.".

Hanson also collaborated with the Canadian funk band TWRP (Tupper Ware Remix Party). He provided vocals for the track "Groove Crusaders" on their 2016 EP Guardians of the Zone and featured on "Atomic Karate" from the 2017 EP Ladyworld. In 2018, he performed on the song "Phantom Racer" from their album Together Through Time.

These projects allowed Hanson to examine musical styles outside of the strict video game parody format of Starbomb, incorporating elements of synth-funk and rock into his repertoire.

Voice Acting Career

Between 2015 and 2025, Arin Hanson expanded his professional portfolio beyond internet content creation into mainstream voice acting for television and video games. While he continued to manage his production company, Hanson accepted roles in projects ranging from independent titles to major studio releases.

His work during this period frequently involved character acting for animated series on networks such as Cartoon Network and Disney Channel, as well as voice-over performances for AAA video game titles.

In the of television animation, Hanson secured a recurring role on Cartoon Network's Mighty Magiswords, which aired from 2016 to 2019. He provided the voice for Gateaux, a monosyllabic character and partner to the sorceress Moribidia. Throughout the series run, he also voiced incidental characters including Fibby Croax, Delivery Man Steve, and Zonq.

In 2015, he made a cameo appearance in the Season 2 finale of Adult Swim's Rick and Morty, titled "The Wedding Squanchers," where he voiced a cyborg photographer. This role was a result of his professional connection with series co-creator Justin Roiland.

Hanson later joined the cast of Disney Channel's The Owl House, created by Dana Terrace. From 2020 to 2023, he provided the voice for the Snaggleback, a recurring creature in the series.

In the show's finale, "Watching and Dreaming," which aired in April 2023, Hanson voiced The Titan (also referred to as Papa Titan), a central figure in the show's lore who communicates with the protagonist, Luz Noceda. His performance in the finale was noted for its shift from his typical comedic delivery to a more serious, paternal tone.

also, Hanson voiced the character Wesley Wizard in the Netflix series Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space, which was released globally in September 2022.

In the video game industry, Hanson's credits include roles in both narrative-driven indie games and large- action titles. In 2020, he voiced Mancubus Bloodtooth in the Borderlands 3 expansion Guns, Love, and Tentacles. The character, an eldritch lodge owner, required a distinct, macabre vocal performance different from Hanson's natural speaking voice.

He continued his work with Gearbox Software in 2022, voicing the Demi-Lich companion in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. This role involved extensive dialogue as the player's constant companion throughout the game.

Hanson also contributed to the River City franchise, voicing Jimmy Lee in WayForward's 2019 beat-'em-up River City Girls. He reprised the role in subsequent updates. In 2023, he voiced the character Max in Nintendo's Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, a remake of the classic strategy games.

His involvement in the Final Fantasy series includes providing additional voices for Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024). In 2022, Capcom released a paid DLC voice pack for Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak featuring Hanson as the character Kagami, a Royal Secret Service agent.

Beyond third-party roles, Hanson voiced characters in games produced under his own Game Grumps banner. He voiced Joseph in the 2017 dating simulator Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, a project he also executive produced. In 2020, he appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in Eek!

Games' House Party, following a contest where fans voted for his inclusion. The developers worked with Hanson to integrate a storyline specific to his online persona.

Game Development and Publishing

In the mid-2010s, Hanson expanded the Game Grumps brand from a media production company into a fully operational game development and publishing studio. This pivot allowed Hanson to use his background in animation and voice acting to produce original intellectual properties.

The studio's output includes visual, multiplayer platformers, and survival horror titles, alongside Hanson's continued work as a voice actor for third-party developers.

Studio Releases

Under Hanson's leadership as Executive Producer, Game Grumps released its debut title, Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, on July 20, 2017. Written by Vernon Shaw and Leighton Gray, the visual tasks players with romancing other single fathers in the fictional town of Maple Bay. Hanson voiced the character Joseph and oversaw production.

The game became a commercial success, selling over 514, 000 units on Steam and receiving "Very Positive" user reviews. It was later ported to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms.

Following this success, the studio published Soviet Jump Game, a pixel-art battle royale developed by Fantastic Passion. Released in July 2020, the game was marketed through a viral campaign involving a fictional "lost" Dendy console cartridge. even with the initial marketing push, the game struggled to maintain a consistent player base.

Active support ceased in mid-2021, and the servers were subsequently shut down, rendering the title unplayable.

In June 2023, Game Grumps released Homebody, a survival horror puzzle game directed by Jory Griffis. Unlike previous self-published titles, Homebody was published by Rogue Games. The game features a retro-inspired art style and focuses on a group of friends trapped in a time loop while being hunted by a slasher villain.

Critics praised its atmosphere and puzzle design, marking a successful shift into the horror genre for the studio.

Voice Acting in Video Games

Beyond his own studio, Hanson has maintained an active career as a voice actor in the video game industry. His credits span indie projects and AAA releases. Notably, he voiced the character Mancubus in the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC for Borderlands 3 (2020) and Jimmy Lee in River City Girls (2019).

Hanson's voice work history dates back to 2006, when he recorded lines for Bruce Banner in Marvel: Alliance. Although his performance was initially replaced in the original release, his recordings were restored for the game's 2016 remaster. Other credits include roles in Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014), Detective Grimoire (2014), and Monster Prom (2018).

Literary Publishing and Merchandise

Hanson also expanded the company's publishing arm into literature with the Ghost Hunters Adventure Club series. Writing under the pseudonym "Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills", a character Hanson portrays in promotional material, he released Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau in 2020, followed by a sequel in 2022.

also, Hanson designed and launched Arpeegees, a line of collectible enamel pins and stickers that mimic RPG mechanics and blind-box collecting, though these function as merchandise rather than a playable video game.

Live Touring and Real Good Touring

In an effort to diversify revenue streams beyond digital advertising, Arin Hanson co-founded Real Good Touring in January 2018 alongside Game Grumps manager Brent Lilley. The company was established to manage live event logistics for internet personalities, a sector Hanson identified as underserved by traditional booking agencies.

This infrastructure allowed Hanson to his own live productions, most notably Game Grumps Live and the improvisational animation show Scribble Showdown.

Game Grumps Live

Hanson and co-host Dan Avidan began touring under the Game Grumps Live banner in 2016, with early performances at venues such as the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. These shows deviated from standard "live podcast" formats, instead utilizing a high-energy, interactive structure where the hosts played video games on stage while audience members competed in teams.

In 2019, the duo embarked on "The Final Party" tour, which they marketed as the conclusion of their original live format. This tour covered major North American markets, including stops at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle and the Fox Theater in Pomona.

Following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanson and Avidan returned to the road in 2022 with a new production titled "Tournament of Gamers." This iteration introduced a narrative where the audience was split into "House Grump" and "House Not-So-Grump" to battle for supremacy.

The "Tournament of Gamers" tour expanded internationally in 2023. In May 2023, the production played in the United Kingdom and Ireland, selling out the Eventim Apollo in London and the O2 Apollo in Manchester. A North American leg followed in September and October 2023, hitting venues such as the Orpheum in Vancouver, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, and the Palladium Times Square in New York City.

Scribble Showdown

In October 2019, Hanson launched Scribble Showdown, a competitive improv animation game show. Hanson serves as the host and moderator, while a rotating cast of prominent YouTube animators, including Jaiden Animations, TheOdd1sOut, Domics, and RubberRoss, compete in drawing challenges projected on a large screen.

The format relies heavily on audience suggestions and "speed drawing" mechanics, translating the "pictionary" style of digital content into a theatrical environment.

The show resumed touring in late 2021, with performances at the Chicago Theatre and Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. In January 2024, the group launched a new iteration titled "Scribble After Dark," an 18+ version of the show featuring uncensored prompts and adult-oriented humor.

This tour focused on the Pacific Northwest and West Coast, with dates at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, the Moore Theatre in Seattle, and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

Major Tour Legs (2019, 2024)

Creator Clash Participation

Arin Hanson's involvement in the influencer boxing phenomenon began in 2022 with his participation in the inaugural Creator Clash, a charity boxing event organized by Ian "iDubbbz" Jomha.

Unlike influencer boxing matches that prioritized personal feuds or profit, Creator Clash was established with a strict focus on charitable fundraising and amateur athletic development.

Hanson, who had no prior combat sports experience, committed to the event to support the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Healing Horse Therapy Center. His participation spanned two fights and a brief tenure as an event organizer before the series permanently dissolved in July 2025.

Hanson's debut occurred at Creator Clash 1 on May 14, 2022, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. He was matched against Harley Morenstein, the host of Epic Meal Time, in a heavyweight bout that drew immediate scrutiny for its significant size. At the weigh-in, Hanson tipped the at 214. 4 lbs, while Morenstein weighed in at 276.

8 lbs, a difference of over 62 lbs. even with the mismatch, the Florida State Athletic Commission sanctioned the bout as an exhibition. Hanson entered the ring with only a few weeks of formal training, whereas Morenstein had engaged in a longer camp with professional coaches.

The fight followed a predictable trajectory given the physical advantages; while Hanson managed to survive the round through defensive maneuvering, Morenstein's reach and power overwhelmed him in the second. The referee stopped the contest at 1: 27 of Round 2, awarding Morenstein a victory by TKO.

even with the loss, the event was a massive financial success, raising over $1. 3 million for charity.

Following his defeat, Hanson committed to a rigorous year-long training regimen to prepare for Creator Clash 2. He trained under professional boxing coaches, focusing on cardio, footwork, and defensive fundamentals to the skill gap that plagued his debut. The second event took place on April 15, 2023, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Hanson was matched against Jarvis Johnson, a commentary YouTuber and former software engineer. This bout was contested at a more equitable weight, with both fighters falling within the heavyweight limit. Hanson demonstrated immediate improvements in his technique, utilizing head movement and a high guard to deflect Johnson's early aggression.

In the second round, Hanson capitalized on Johnson's fatigue, landing a series of unanswered combinations that forced the referee to intervene. Hanson secured a TKO victory at 0: 52 of Round 2, balancing his amateur record to 1, 1.

In his post-fight interview, an emotional Hanson the victory as a personal milestone, validating the year of discipline he had dedicated to the sport.

Hanson's role evolved from competitor to organizer during the turbulent production of Creator Clash 3. Following the financial underperformance of the second event, which reportedly lost $250, 000 due to piracy and high production costs, and public controversies involving iDubbbz, the original organizers stepped down.

In May 2025, it was announced that Hanson, along with fellow creators Ethan Nestor and Alanah Pearce, would take over as spokespersons and organizers for the third installment. The event was rescheduled from June to October 25, 2025, and moved to the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles to reduce overhead.

Hanson publicly stated his intention to "do right by the fighters, the fans, and the charity," attempting to salvage the brand's reputation and mission.

yet, the structural damage to the event proved. On July 7, 2025, the organization announced the permanent cancellation of Creator Clash 3 and the dissolution of the brand. The decision followed a wave of fighter withdrawals, including key participants like Myth and Harley Morenstein, and persistent internal conflicts.

Hanson's tenure as an organizer concluded with the liquidation of the event's assets to fulfill charitable pledges and refund ticket holders. The cancellation marked the end of Hanson's direct involvement in the influencer boxing sphere, leaving him with a final record of one win and one loss.

Fight Record

Real Good Touring and Live Events

In January 2018, Hanson co-founded Real Good Touring (RGT) alongside Game Grumps manager Brent Lilley. The company was established to manage live tours for internet personalities, aiming to professionalize the logistical infrastructure for digital creators transitioning to physical stages.

RGT organized the Game Grumps Live tours, which evolved from simple Q&A sessions into interactive theatrical productions involving audience participation and narrative elements. Beyond Game Grumps, the agency managed tours for high-profile clients such as Jacksepticeye (Seán McLoughlin) and the Scribble Showdown tour.

Scribble Showdown, an improvisational animation game show hosted by Hanson, launched in 2019. The tour featured prominent YouTube animators including Jaiden Animations, TheOdd1sOut, Domics, and RubberRoss competing in live drawing challenges. The show toured across North America and internationally, selling out venues such as the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto.

RGT also served as the operational backbone for Creator Clash, a charity boxing event created by Ian "iDubbbz" Washburn. The inaugural event took place on May 14, 2022, at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. Hanson participated in the heavyweight division, fighting Harley Morenstein of Epic Meal Time.

even with a rigorous training regimen, Hanson lost via TKO in the second round. He returned for Creator Clash 2 on April 15, 2023, at the Amalie Arena, where he secured a victory against Jarvis Johnson via TKO in the second round.

RGT's involvement in these events highlighted Hanson's shift toward large- event production, although the financial outcomes of the second event drew public scrutiny regarding the profitability of influencer boxing for charity.

Video Game Development

Hanson expanded the Game Grumps brand into game development, serving as the executive producer for several titles. The studio's debut release, Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, launched on July 20, 2017. Written by Vernon Shaw and Leighton Gray, the visual allowed players to romance various single fathers.

The game was a serious and commercial success, praised for its subversion of dating sim tropes and its genuine representation of LGBTQ+ relationships. A "Dadrector's Cut" was released on October 30, 2018, for PlayStation 4, followed by a Nintendo Switch port on July 2, 2019. Hanson also provided the voice for the character Joseph Christiansen.

Following this success, the studio released Soviet Jump Game in July 2020. Developed by Fantastic Passion and published by Game Grumps, the title was a free-to-play battle royale platformer with a retro pixel art aesthetic. The game struggled to maintain a sustainable player base, leading to the eventual shutdown of its servers.

In June 2023, the studio pivoted to the horror genre with Homebody, a survival horror puzzle game inspired by 1980s slasher films. Published by Rogue Games, Homebody received positive reviews for its atmosphere and non-linear puzzle design, marking a tonal departure from the studio's comedic roots.

Voice Acting Roles

Between 2015 and 2025, Hanson maintained an active career as a voice actor for third-party video games and animation. In 2019, he voiced Jimmy Lee in WayForward's beat-'em-up River City Girls, a role he reprised in the 2022 sequel River City Girls 2. His performance paid homage to the Double Dragon franchise, integrating his knowledge of retro gaming history into the character's portrayal.

Hanson's vocal credits extend to major AAA titles. He provided the voice for Mancubus Bloodtooth, a tentacled bartender and quest giver, in the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC for Borderlands 3 (2020). He also contributed "Additional Voices" to Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and its sequel Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024).

In television animation, Hanson voiced multiple characters in Disney's The Owl House, including The Titan and the Snaggleback, and played Gateaux in Cartoon Network's Mighty Magiswords.

Writing and Merchandise Ventures

On March 10, 2020, Hanson released his debut, Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Secret of the Grande Chateau. The book was published under the pen name "Dr. Cecil H. H. Mills," a fictional persona Hanson adopted for promotional videos and interviews. The young adult mystery parodied the style of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series.

Hanson toured bookstores in character as Dr. Mills, maintaining the kayfabe of the eccentric author during signings and readings.

In the of physical merchandise, Hanson launched Arpeegees in January 2019. This line of enamel pins and blind-box figures was designed by Hanson and featured original RPG-themed characters. The product line utilized a "gachapon" style distribution model, encouraging trading among collectors.

also, Hanson established the Shuffle Master YouTube channel, dedicated to trading card games. The channel focused primarily on opening booster packs for Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, and featured collaborations with other creators in the tabletop gaming space, such as The Professor from Tolarian Community College.

Personal Life

Since 2013, Hanson has been married to Suzanne "Suzy" Berhow, a content creator and taxidermist known online as Mortem3r. The couple resides in Glendale, California, where they have lived since moving from Florida. Throughout the 2015, 2025 period, they continued to collaborate on various business and creative ventures, including the touring company Real Good Touring and the gaming channel KittyKatGaming.

Family and Health

Hanson has frequently discussed his family's involvement in his life and career. His mother, Maurette Hanson, is a licensed equine therapist and the founder of the Healing Horse Therapy Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Monroe, North Carolina.

The center provides equine-assisted therapy to military veterans and individuals with disabilities. Hanson has organized multiple charity livestreams to support the organization, raising significant funds through the Game Grumps platform.

His father, Lloyd Hanson, is a musician and active online personality who moderates forums and maintains a personal website, Old Farts With Guitars.

, Hanson has been open about his neurodivergence. By 2023, he publicly discussed his diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), detailing how the condition influences his creative process and gameplay style.

He has addressed these challenges in various The Grumps vlogs and interviews, advocating for mental health awareness and normalizing therapy. Hanson has also spoken about managing hypoglycemia, a condition he has dealt with since childhood, which specific dietary management during long recording sessions and tours.

Interests and Hobbies

Outside of his professional work in animation and gaming, Hanson is an avid collector and player of trading card games. During the 2020, 2021 period, he gained attention for his extensive collection of rare Pokémon cards, frequently streaming high-value pack openings.

He is also a competitive player of Magic: The Gathering, specifically favoring the Legacy format. Hanson has appeared as a guest on the popular Magic channel Tolarian Community College, featuring in episodes of "Shuffle Up & Play" in July 2022 and July 2025.

Hanson is known for his affection for cats, which frequently appear in his social media posts and videos. He and Berhow owned two cats, Mochi and Mimi, for years. In June 2017, the couple adopted a third cat, a Munchkin named Otto. In October 2024, Hanson announced the passing of Mochi, who had been a fixture of the channel's history since its early days.

Social and Political Views

Hanson has used his platform to support various social causes. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, he and the Game Grumps team donated to Black Lives Matter and related bail funds, while also using their channel to encourage voter registration and civic engagement.

In 2019, Hanson faced a brief period of controversy after criticizing the "Storytime Animation" genre on YouTube, for which he later issued a public apology, acknowledging his own past as a provocative animator on Newgrounds.

Philanthropy

Hanson has frequently used the Game Grumps platform to organize and participate in large- fundraising events. His philanthropic model primarily relies on "charity livestreams," where he and co-host Dan Avidan play games for extended periods while soliciting donations from their audience.

Between 2015 and 2025, these efforts generated millions of dollars for various non-profit organizations, ranging from mental health services to emergency disaster relief.

of Hanson's early charitable work focused on the emergency Text Line, a global non-profit providing free mental health texting services. In March 2016, Game Grumps hosted a marathon stream that raised over $155, 000 for the organization.

During this event, Hanson and fellow YouTuber Markiplier conducted a "power minute" segment that generated more than $11, 000 in sixty seconds. Hanson returned to support the cause in February 2018 with another dedicated broadcast. He has also been a recurring participant in The Game Theorists' annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraisers.

In December 2020, he appeared during a nine-hour stream hosted by MatPat that raised $3 million for the hospital, tripling its original goal.

Hanson maintains a close philanthropic relationship with the Healing Horse Therapy Center (HHTC), a 501(c)(3) organization founded by his mother, Maurette Hanson. The center provides equine-assisted therapy to military veterans and individuals with disabilities. In June 2016, a "Horsey Give Grumps" stream raised $68, 221 for the facility.

Hanson also directed funds to HHTC through other campaigns, including a single-sitting fundraiser that secured $55, 000. While online commentators noted the personal connection, the organization remains a verified non-profit entity that competes in national charity challenges, such as the FTI Great Charity Challenge.

In response to the social unrest of June 2020, Hanson and the Game Grumps staff pledged $20, 000 to charities supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically targeting bail funds and Black-owned businesses. He stated that the donation was accompanied by an internal review of the channel's past content to address insensitive language.

Hanson also supported LGBTQ+ youth through The Trevor Project, notably during a "Sparkle Train" charity stream in December 2022 and a Monster Prom gameplay event.

Most, in late 2025, Hanson organized a massive collaborative livestream on the Game Grumps channel to aid victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. The event, which featured numerous guest YouTubers and celebrities, successfully reached its $1 million fundraising goal after eight hours of broadcasting.

This effort was distinguished by its direct-to-charity donation model, ensuring no administrative fees were deducted by the organizers.

Selected Philanthropic Milestones (2015, 2025)

Filmography and Ludography (2015, 2025)

Between 2015 and 2025, Arin Hanson significantly expanded his professional portfolio beyond web animation and Let's Play content, establishing himself as a working voice actor in broadcast television and major video game franchises.

While continuing his daily hosting duties on Game Grumps, Hanson took on recurring roles in productions for Disney, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim. Simultaneously, he transitioned into the role of executive producer and game developer, overseeing the creation of multiple successful indie titles under the Game Grumps banner.

Voice Acting in Animation

Hanson's vocal work in animation during this period moved from internet-based cameos to union-backed television roles. His most prominent recurring role was in Cartoon Network's Mighty Magiswords (2016, 2019), where he voiced Gateaux, the monosyllabic partner of the sorceress Moribidia.

He also provided voices for several additional characters in the series, including Fibby Croax and Delivery Man Steve. In 2015, he appeared in the Season 2 finale of Rick and Morty, "The Wedding Squanchers," voicing the Cyborg Photographer. This role was a direct result of series co-creator Justin Roiland's familiarity with Hanson's online work.

Disney's The Owl House (2020, 2023) featured Hanson in multiple capacities. He voiced the Snaggleback, a recurring creature, and later took on the pivotal role of Papa Titan in the series finale, "Watching and Dreaming." In 2022, he reprised his role as Wesley Wizard for the Netflix series Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space, a continuation of the web series he had supported since its Kickstarter inception.

Video Game Roles

Hanson's ludography expanded to include characters in AAA titles and high-profile indie games. In 2019, he voiced Mancubus Bloodtooth in the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC for Gearbox Software's Borderlands 3.

His performance as the creepy, hospitable lodge owner was praised for its distinct characterization, differing significantly from his natural speaking voice. He returned to the Borderlands franchise in 2022 to voice the Demi-Lich companion in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands.

In the beat-'em-up genre, Hanson voiced Jimmy Lee in WayForward's River City Girls (2019) and reprised the role for the sequel's DLC in 2024. He also provided the voice for the character Scott in the multiplayer dating sim Monster Prom (2018) and voiced Ace in the English dub of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 (2022).

Game Production and Development

Under Hanson's leadership, Game Grumps transitioned from a media channel to a game development studio. In 2017, they released Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, a visual where Hanson served as executive producer and voiced the character Joseph. The game received serious acclaim for its writing and inclusive representation.

Following this success, Hanson produced the battle royale title Soviet Jump Game (2019) and the narrative horror puzzle game Homebody (2023), the latter of which was noted for its atmosphere and complex puzzle design.

Live Action and Broadcast Appearances

In 2017, Hanson starred in and executive produced Good Game, a YouTube Premium scripted comedy series about a dysfunctional eSports team. He played Ryland Smith, the team's impulsive captain.

Outside of scripted content, Hanson participated in the charity boxing event Creator Clash in 2022, fighting Harley Morenstein, and returned for Creator Clash 2 in 2023 to fight Jarvis Johnson.

He also appeared in Markiplier's interactive films A Heist with Markiplier (2019) as an alien and In Space with Markiplier (2022) as the Narrator for the "Universe 2" timeline.