American comedian Matthew Steven Rife, known as Matt Rife, has been a rising sensation on the internet for a while now.
With his increasing fame, curiosity about his personal life has peaked. It led to inquiries about his biological father, ethnicity, and family background.
In this article, we will discuss the details of Rife’s family, exploring the identity of his parents, their relationship, and other relevant details about his family.
Who Is Matt Rife?
Matt Rife is an American comedian who skyrocketed to fame via TikTok in 2022. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Rife was born on September 10, 1995.
His blend of charm and edgy humor quickly captured a large following, especially among women. His breakout on “Wild ‘N Out” with Nick Cannon in 2015 began his comedy career.
Rife’s self-produced specials like “Only Fans” and “Walking Red Flag” solidified his presence in the industry, resulting in a Netflix special titled “Natural Selection” in 2023.
Engaging fans across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok, Rife remains a dynamic figure both on and off-screen, often making headlines.
What Happened To Matt Rife’s Biological Father?
| Full Name | Michael Eric Gutzke |
| Famous as | Matt Rife’s Father |
| Date of Death | March 5th, 1997 |
| Age at the time of Death | 20 |
| Partner | April Rife |
| Children | Matt Rife |
| Parents | N/A |
| Sibling | N/A |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
At just 18 months old, Matt Rife experienced the huge loss of his biological father, Michael Eric Gutzke.
Michael tragically took his own life due to depression on March 5th, 1997, when Matt was only a toddler.
The comedian opened up about this heartbreaking event with Bret Kreischer in 2022, shedding light on the impact it had on his life.
Michael was only 20 years old at the time of his passing. The loss deeply affected Matt’s mother, April, who faced significant challenges following the death of the family’s patriarch.
Matt Rife Mentioning His Late Father
Matt Rife was only 18 months old when his father passed away. Despite this tragic incident, Matt finds humor in not having a father, showing comfort when discussing his late dad.
Beneath his carefree behavior, he has a loving side. Riff dedicated his 2020 Father’s Day tribute post to his late daddy.
This blend of humor and heartfelt sentiment displays Matt’s complexity, showcasing a mix of light-heartedness and genuine affection.
Matt Rife’s Mother: April Rife
| Full Name | April Rife |
| Famous as | Matt Rife’s Mother |
| Date of Birth | 1970s |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Age | 40s |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouses | Joseph, Michael Eric Gutzke (Late) |
| Children | 2 (Biological), 3 (Step) |
| Parents | N/A |
| Sibling | N/A |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Net Worth | N/A |
April Rife, Matt has played a pivotal role in his life since the tragic loss of his biological father. Left to raise Matt alone, April has been a steadfast and supportive presence throughout his journey.
Despite the hardships they’ve faced, April remains actively involved in Matt’s career, frequently sharing his interviews and updates on social media platforms.
Matt himself has spoken openly about the strong bond he shares with his mother, highlighting the deep connection and mutual support that defines their relationship.
April Rife Remarried After Michael’s Death
After Michael’s tragic death, April Rife remarried, but Matt has openly expressed that he didn’t have a strong connection with her current husband.
Despite April’s remarriage, Matt acknowledges that no one could replace the role of his biological father in his life.
Matt Rife’s Grandfather: A Fatherly Figure
Growing up with a single mom, Matt Rife didn’t feel the absence of his father thanks to his grandfather, Steven Rife played a fatherly role in his life.
In an interview, the comedian shared his close bond with his grandpa, recalling how they spent every weekend together and even lived under the same roof for the first five years of his life.
Matt cherished their time together, often choosing to be with Steven over hanging out with friends.
Their shared love for movies, especially those featuring comedic stars like Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey, played a significant role in shaping Matt’s sense of humor.
The Loss Of Matt Rife’s Grandfather
In November 2022, Matt Rife faced one of the most heartbreaking moments of his life with the passing of his beloved grandfather.
In an interview, Matt said that his grandpa was eagerly anticipating a visit to Austin to see Matt’s special show. Tragically, Steven passed away just two weeks before the event.
Despite the devastating loss, Matt decided to proceed with the show as a tribute to his grandfather, naming it after Steven and combining his middle name.
To honor his grandfather’s memory further, Matt got a tattoo of John Lennon, Steven’s favorite artist. Matt also shared a photo with a heartfelt caption expressing his deep love and admiration for his late grandfather.
Does Matt Rife Have Any Siblings?
Matt Rife has three older step-sisters and one younger half-sister, whom he considers his sisters despite not being related by blood.
However, Rife maintains a level of privacy regarding his sisters and stepfather, unlike his openness about his mother, girlfriends, and grandfather on social media.
While he shares glimpses of his personal life, Rife seems reserved about publicizing details regarding his other family members.
