ANTHONY PADILLA

Meet Anthony Padilla: YouTube Pioneer and Independent Creator

Anthony Padilla, born Daniel Anthony Padilla on September 16, 1987, in Sacramento, California, is a multifaceted American internet personality, comedian, filmmaker, and actor. He is best known as the co-founder of the iconic YouTube channel Smosh, which he established in 2005 with his childhood friend Ian Hecox. Over the years, Padilla has evolved into a prominent solo creator, renowned for his insightful interview series and advocacy for underrepresented voices in digital media. 

Early Life and Background

Raised in Carmichael, California, Padilla's early life was marked by challenges. His parents separated when he was two, and he was primarily raised by his mother, who suffered from severe agoraphobia, rendering her unable to work or leave the house. This situation led the family to rely on food stamps, and Padilla took on significant responsibilities from a young age, especially after his grandmother, who was the primary caretaker, passed away. 

Rise to Fame with Smosh

In 2002, Padilla created smosh.com, a website where he posted Flash animations and communicated with friends while bedridden due to Henoch–Schönlein purpura. The name "Smosh" originated from a misheard explanation of a "mosh pit." He was later joined by Hecox, and together they began posting videos on YouTube in 2005, including lip-syncing to theme songs like those of Mortal Kombat and Power Rangers. Their "Pokémon Theme Music Video" became one of the most-viewed videos on YouTube at the time. 

Smosh quickly became one of YouTube's most popular channels, known for its sketch comedy and parodies.Padilla and Hecox expanded their brand to include multiple channels, such as Smosh Games and Smosh Pit, and ventured into merchandise and live events.In 2011, Smosh was acquired by Defy Media, and in 2017, Padilla left the channel to pursue independent projects.

Independent Ventures and "I Spent a Day With..."

After departing from Smosh, Padilla launched his self-titled YouTube channel, where he created the interview series "I Spent a Day With...". In this series, he engages with individuals from various walks of life, including furries, ex-cult members, and survivors of police brutality, aiming to provide a platform for underrepresented voices. The series has been praised for its depth and empathy, earning Padilla the moniker "YouTube's Interview King." 

In 2020, Padilla founded Pressalike Productions to develop unscripted content, including the "I Spent a Day With..." series.In 2025, Pressalike was rebranded as Smoshalike and integrated into the Smosh brand following Padilla's return to the company.

Return to Smosh

In June 2023, Padilla and Hecox announced that they had acquired a majority stake in Smosh from Mythical Entertainment, returning the company to its original creators.They expressed a desire to "return to [their] roots" by owning the company, allowing them greater creative freedom.The main Smosh channel has since returned to producing sketch comedy content, reminiscent of its early days.

Personal Life

Padilla has been open about his personal struggles, including battles with anxiety and the impact of his mother's agoraphobia on his upbringing.He has also been candid about his past relationships, including a public breakup with fellow YouTuber Kalel Cullen in 2014.In 2017, he began dating Mykie, known as Glam and Gore, and the two were together until 2019.

Fun Facts

• Padilla is an advocate for mental health awareness and has used his platform to discuss topics like anxiety and agoraphobia.

• He has a strong presence on social media, with millions of followers across platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

• Padilla is a fan of animation and has voiced characters in films like "The Angry Birds Movie" and its sequel.

Conclusion

Anthony Padilla's journey from a YouTube comedy duo to a solo creator and advocate for underrepresented voices highlights his versatility and commitment to meaningful content. Through his work with Smosh and his independent projects, Padilla continues to influence the digital landscape, fostering empathy and understanding through his interviews and storytelling.