Nate Bargatze Says ‘I Am Second’ to God, Family, Everybody
Comedian Nate Bargatze says in a new interview his sense of purpose is rooted in serving God and others by creating entertainment that everyone -- old and young alike -- can come together and enjoy. Bargatze told The New York Times he rejects the faith-based label because his comedy is for families of every culture and background. Still, he said, he doesn't hide from his faith.
"I am second -- second to God, second to family," he said, adding he's also second to the audience and "everybody."
"You kind of live to serve. So it's very much a calling in that aspect that I feel," he said.
Bargatze quickly added, though, that he doesn't want to come across as preachy or push people away. He wants people of every background to enjoy his shows.
"I just want to make something that all of them can be in the room together. And I feel it's driven on a bigger purpose for me," he said.
In his new book, Big Dumb Eyes, Bargatze details his Baptist upbringing and his father's spiritual transformation.
Last year, Bargatze led the largest-grossing comedy tour and also hosted Saturday Night Live twice. In recent months, Netflix released another Bargatze comedy special -- its third. He said he gets "nervous" when discussing his personal beliefs, not wanting to be labeled and not wanting to push away potential fans.
"People write stuff off," he said.
In recent years Bargatze has become one of the world's top comedians in spite of -- or perhaps because of -- his clean style.
The entertainment landscape, he noted, too often divides families.
"There's not a lot of stuff you can do with your family," he said. "What I like about when people come to my shows is that it's children to grandparents are at these shows. They're able to go do something as a family. I think a lot of entertainment now is not made for the whole family. Even television or movies can be separating in the fact that I'm watching Narcos and my wife watches Housewives, and there's not a show that we're necessarily watching together. And so I do think there's a void in that."
His first movie, The Breadwinner, is scheduled for a 2026 release. He told The Times his future is in movies.
"When I started in comedy, some comics would be like, 'Well, I'm not for everybody,' and I was like, 'Well, why would you not want to be for everybody?' I want to be for everybody."
Related Article: Nate Bargatze to Make Film Debut with Family Comedy ‘The Breadwinner’
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Comedy Corner
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published April 21, 2025.
