Gabriel Iglesias facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabriel Iglesias
Iglesias in 2018
Born	Gabriel Jesús Iglesias (1976-07-15) July 15, 1976 (age 49) San Diego, California, U.S.
Other names	Fluffy
Occupation	Comedian actor
Years active	1997–present
Comedy career
Medium	Stand-up television film
Genres	Observational comedy surreal humour self-deprecation impressions satire
Subject(s)	Latin American culture race relations obesity everyday life pop culture social awkwardness
Signature

Gabriel Jesús Iglesias (born July 15, 1976) is an American stand-up comedian and actor who is famous for his fun nickname, Fluffy. He is known for his hilarious stand-up specials on networks like Comedy Central and Netflix, including I'm Not Fat… I'm Fluffy and Hot and Fluffy.

Besides telling jokes on stage, Gabriel is also a talented actor. He has appeared in many TV shows and movies. He starred in his own sitcom, Mr. Iglesias, on Netflix. He also played Tobias in the movie Magic Mike and its sequel. You might also recognize his voice as Speedy Gonzales in Space Jam: A New Legacy.

He hosted the comedy show Stand Up Revolution and a food and travel show called Fluffy's Food Adventures. In 2018, he was named one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.

Early Life and Family

Gabriel Iglesias was born in San Diego, California. He was raised by his single mother, Esther. He is proud of his Mexican heritage.

Growing up, his family moved around a lot. He lived in several cities in California, including Riverside, Corona, and Santa Ana. He spent most of his childhood in Long Beach, living in what is known as Section 8 housing, which helps families with lower incomes find a place to live.

Career Journey

Before becoming a full-time comedian, Iglesias worked for a cell phone company. In 1997, he decided to follow his dream of doing comedy. It was a tough start, and he even lost his home and car. But he never gave up.

Breaking into Television

In 2000, Gabriel joined the cast of the Nickelodeon comedy show All That. He worked alongside other famous actors like Amanda Bynes and Nick Cannon.

In 2006, he competed on the reality TV show Last Comic Standing. He made it to the final eight comedians but was disqualified for breaking a rule about communicating with the outside world.

Voice Acting and Hosting

Gabriel is also a very successful voice actor. In 2007, he voiced an entire family in an episode of the animated show Family Guy. He also voiced characters in the Disney series The Emperor's New School, which he has said is his favorite voice work.

Iglesias in November 2010

From 2011 to 2014, he hosted his own show on Comedy Central called Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution. He also hosted a fun show about food and travel called Fluffy's Food Adventures.

His voice has been featured in many animated movies, including:

• Ned and Zed in Planes (2013)
• Jimmy in The Nut Job (2014)
• Cuatro in Ferdinand (2017)
• Speedy Gonzales in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
• Picchu in Maya and the Three (2021)

Acting and Recent Success

From 2019 to 2020, Gabriel starred in the Netflix series Mr. Iglesias. He played a funny and caring history teacher at his real-life old high school, Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach.

In 2022, Gabriel made history by being the first comedian to sell out a show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The show was filmed for a Netflix special called Stadium Fluffy.

Comedy Style

Gabriel's comedy heroes include Paul Rodriguez, Eddie Murphy, and Robin Williams. He is famous for wearing colorful Hawaiian shirts during his performances.

A big part of his comedy is talking about his weight in a funny and positive way. His famous catchphrase is, "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy!" He created a joke about the "Five Levels of Fatness": Big, Healthy, Husky, Fluffy, and Daaamn! He later added a sixth level: "Oh, hell no!"

He once gave advice to new comedians, saying they should talk about topics everyone can relate to. This helps them connect with a bigger audience.

Awards and Honors

On February 10, 2012, the city of El Paso, Texas, gave Gabriel several awards. He received the key to the city and an award from a group called Operation H.O.P.E.

On March 12, 2025, Gabriel received a special honor when his handprints and signature were cemented at the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Personal Life

Gabriel lives in Whittier, California. For many years, he was in a relationship with his partner, Claudia. He helped raise her son, Frankie, whom he considers his own. Even though he and Claudia are no longer together, he remains very close to Frankie.

In 2017, he took a break from performing to focus on his health and family.

Health Journey

In his movie The Fluffy Movie, Gabriel shared a serious health story. At his heaviest weight of 445 pounds, he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. His doctor told him he needed to make big changes to his lifestyle.

This news inspired him to get healthy for himself and his family. He started working out with weights, doing yoga, and eating a healthier diet. With hard work, he lost over 100 pounds.

On his 45th birthday in 2021, he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to cancel some shows to recover safely.

Filmography

Film

Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Television

Comedy Specials

• Hot and Fluffy (2008)
• I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy (2009)
• Aloha Fluffy (2013)
• I'm Sorry For What I Said While I Was Hungry (2016)
• One Show Fits All (2019)
• Stadium Fluffy (2022)