Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Michael Buffer is an American ring announcer or Master of Ceremony (MC) for professional boxing, wrestling, and National Football League (NFL) matches.
Buffer is widely considered as the greatest boxing and wrestling ring announcer of all time. He’s famed for his catchphrase “let’s get ready to rumble!” which he says right before a match begins.
In addition to his success as an announcer and Master of Ceremony, Michael Buffer is also an actor. Buffer has had roles in dozens of movies and TV shows during his career.
Michael Buffer Quick Facts
Full Name: | Michael Buffer |
Popular Name: | Michael Buffer |
Nicknames: | N/A |
Birth Date: | November 2, 1944 |
Age: | 76 years |
Parents: | Unknown |
Siblings: | Has several siblings and half-siblings, including MMA ring announcer Bruce Anthony Buffer |
Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | White |
Religion: | Unknown |
Education: | Unknown |
Marital Status: | Married to Christine Prado (since 2008); was previously married to Christine Buffer (from 1965 until their divorce in 1972) and Alina Buffer (from 1999 until their divorce in 2003) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Children: | Michael Buffer Jr. and Matthew Buffer (from his marriage to Christine Buffer) |
Net Worth: | USD 400 million |
Source of Wealth: | Ring Announcing/Emceeing, Acting, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 0″ (1.83 m) |
Weight: | In kilograms: 80 kg; In pounds: 176 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Michael Buffer was born on November 2, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States to an army man and his wife.
Buffer’s parents divorced when he was only 11 months old. He was subsequently raised by foster parents.
Announcing/Emceeing Career
Michael Buffer enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 20 and served in the Vietnam War. He left the army aged 23 and went on to hold several jobs over the next couple of years, including working as a car salesman and model.
Buffer eventually launched his ring announcer career in 1982. A few months later, he became the official announcer for all boxing matches on ESPN, a position he holds to date.
Michael Buffer experienced an astronomical rise in popularity over the following years. He became widely known both by boxing fans and television audiences worldwide for his catchphrase “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!”
Buffer later became the ring announcer for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) main events pitting wrestler Hulk Hogan against other superstars. He continues to serve as the main announcer for several wrestling matches years after WCW folded.
Michael Buffer has also announced many other events besides boxing and wrestling. Noteworthy ones include;
• NFL playoff games
• Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series
• National Basketball Association (NBA) finals
• The Stanley Cup Finals
• The 2008 World Series of Poker finale featuring Peter Eastgate and Ivan Demidov
• The 2017 United States Grand Prix
Acting and Television Career
Michael Buffer has guest-starred on numerous television shows. Examples include Saturday Night Live (1994), Mad TV (1995), The Simpsons (1996), Clerks (2000), Man vs. Beast (2003), American Idol (2008), America’s Next Top Model (2012), and 30 for 30 (2015).
Buffer has also appeared in multiple films, mostly as himself. These include Homeboy (1988), Rocky V (1990), Virtuosity (1995), Game Over (2003), Rocky Balboa (2006), Love and Other Drugs (2010), Creed (2015 and its 2018 sequel), and Rumble (2021).
Michael Buffer’s Net Worth
Michael Buffer is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous ring announcers. His extensive announcing career has translated into millions in his bank accounts. As at November 1, 2022, Buffer had a net worth of $400 million.
Buffer is believed to have earned at least $400 million from trademark licensing of his catchphrase alone. These earnings came from the phrase’s usage in films, television shows, songs, video games, and merchandise.
Michael Buffer’s most notable trademark-related payout came from the video game “Ready to Rumble.” The video maker Midway reportedly paid Buffer $100 million to license his catchphrase in perpetuity.
Lessons from Michael Buffer
1. Have something your fans can instantly identify you with
Michael Buffer’s ring announcer and emcee skills are indisputable. However, Buffer is probably best known for his popular catchphrase “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!”
2. Protect your creative works
Buffer appreciates the significance of protecting creative works. That explains why he embarked on the process of trademarking his catchphrase as soon as the phrase caught on. He would eventually acquire a federal trademark for the popular phrase in 1992.
3. Maintain consistency
Michael Buffer has maintained one line of work – ring announcer – for decades. He has also accepted many movie and television projects where his primary role is that of an announcer.
Famous Quotes by Michael Buffer
• A lot of times you go to a fight and the crowd will be for a certain fighter who is the favorite but if the underdog shows he has a chance they sometimes even swing to side of the underdog.
• A throat-coating tea with some honey is very soothing for my throat, so I always travel with that.
• I didn’t see conflict during the Vietnam War, but I did lose close friends.
• I’m actually a survivor of throat cancer so I’m very, very careful with my voice.
• One time, a hedge fund gentleman in Connecticut brought in a bunch of professional wrestlers and myself at a very hefty price for his son’s 11th birthday.
Final Word
Michael Buffer has deservedly earned himself a place among the world’s most famous ring announcers of all time. In addition to fame, Buffer’s decades-long career has also earned him a humongous $400 million net worth.