Rudy Mancuso

Rodolfo “Rudy” Mancuso (born February 28, 1992) is an American internet personality, musician, comedian, filmmaker, and actor whose career has spanned across digital platforms, music charts, and live performance stages. Growing up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, he was immersed in a multicultural household—an Italian‑American father and a Brazilian mother—which gave him fluency in Portuguese and a deep appreciation for both Latin and mainstream pop culture. He began playing piano at age five, honed his comedic timing in high school, and later studied at Rutgers University Newark before launching his first Vine videos in 2013. By 2016 he partnered with Shots Studios and opened a YouTube channel that quickly amassed millions of subscribers, blending sketch comedy, musical parodies, and voice‑over work for the popular Awkward Puppets series. His early viral success earned him cameo spots on Comedy Central’s Drunk History and HBO’s Outpost, while his collaboration with major artists such as Justin Bieber (as the opening act for the Brazil leg of the Purpose World Tour) and Mariah Carey on the YouTube Red holiday special Keys of Christmas cemented his status as a versatile entertainer. Mancuso’s musical output includes singles like “Black & White,” “Mama,” and “Lento,” as well as collaborations with producers like Poo Bear and Alesso, showcasing his ability to merge catchy pop‑R&B hooks with witty, self‑directed videos. He has also directed music videos for Lele Pons, O.A.R., and Alesso, demonstrating a keen eye for visual storytelling that earned him recognition at events such as the 2017 MTV Millennial Awards and the 2018 Hispanic Heritage Foundation Awards.