Jacksepticeye

 Jacksepticeye: From Irish Gamer to Global YouTube Phenomenon

Early Life and Background

Seán William McLoughlin, known online as Jacksepticeye, was born on February 7, 1990, in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, and raised in Cloghan, County Offaly. He is the youngest of five siblings. His father, John, worked for the Electricity Supply Board, and his mother, Florrie, held various jobs before becoming a caregiver for her mother. Seán developed an early interest in video games, playing from the age of seven. He pursued higher education at the Athlone Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Management. Before his YouTube career, he was the drummer for an indie heavy-metal band called Raised to the Ground. ​

YouTube Career and Rise to Fame

Seán launched his YouTube channel, jacksepticeye, in December 2012, initially posting voice impression videos before transitioning to gaming content. In 2013, his channel gained significant attention after being mentioned by fellow YouTuber PewDiePie, leading to a rapid increase in subscribers. By 2014, he had reached one million subscribers, and by 2016, he had surpassed 10 million. As of October 2024, his channel boasts over 30.8 million subscribers and 16.9 billion views, making it the most-subscribed channel in Ireland. ​

Business Ventures and Collaborations

Beyond YouTube, Jacksepticeye has ventured into entrepreneurship and collaborations. In 2018, he co-founded the clothing brand CLOAK with fellow YouTuber Markiplier, aiming to create apparel for gamers. In 2020, he launched Top of The Mornin' Coffee, a coffee company reflecting his Irish heritage. He has also collaborated with various creators, including Game Grumps, PewDiePie, Markiplier, and Ethan Nestor, expanding his reach within the gaming community. ​

Philanthropy and "Thankmas"

Jacksepticeye is renowned for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through his annual charity livestream event, "Thankmas". Since its inception, "Thankmas" has raised over $26 million for various causes, including mental health organizations like Crisis Text Line and Samaritans. The event, hosted on the Tiltify platform, engages his global audience in charitable giving, transforming his niche following into a force for philanthropy. ​

Personal Life

In his personal life, Seán has been open about his mental health journey, discussing topics like ADHD and autism diagnoses. He dated Danish YouTuber Signe Hansen until mid-2018 and has been in a relationship with Dutch YouTuber Evelien "Gab" Smolders since 2019. Seán currently resides in Brighton, England, continuing to create content and engage with his community.