Who Is Dr. Demento? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Dr. Demento, born on April 2, 1941, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector renowned for his eclectic taste in music, particularly novelty songs and comedy. With a career that spans over five decades, he has become a beloved figure, earning the title "The Doctor" among fans. As of 2025, Dr. Demento is 84 years old and continues to inspire new generations with his unique blend of humor and music.
| Occupation | Architect |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1941 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Dr. Demento's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Dr. Demento’s height and weight may not be widely documented, he is known for his distinctive appearance, often sporting his trademark look of a casual shirt and glasses. The exact body measurements are less relevant in the context of his contributions to entertainment but serve to underscore his charismatic personality rather than conform to societal beauty standards.
His weekly show went into national syndication in a two-hour all-novelty format in 1974, produced by his manager Larry Gordon of Gordon/Casady and during 1978–92 was syndicated by the Westwood One Radio Network.
The Westwood One period marked the height of the show's national popularity; it was carried in most major radio markets, airing mainly on FM rock stations, usually late on Sunday evenings. The producer Westwood One assigned to work with Hansen from 1978 to 1982 was Lynnsey Guererro, a former track star from UCLA and Senior Producer at the company.
In 1982, he handed off the show to a new producer from San Diego, professional journalist Robert Young.
It was under Young's guidance that the show gained in popularity, mainly due to his willingness to foster relationships with national media and with nationally known and up-and-coming artists, including John Mammoser, Judy Tenuta, Emo Philips, Pinkard and Bowden, Wally Wingert, and Mark Davis (Richard Cheese). Young accompanied Dr.
Demento to Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; New York City; San Diego; Montreal; Phoenix; and other cities to do live performances and PR Events, taking photos, setting up interviews and even 'running the board' at some of the live shows. He left the radio network in 1990 during a business downturn.
In January 2014 Young released an e-book titled "Producing Demento," about his memories of working on the show.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dr. Demento has often kept his personal life somewhat private, which is common among many public figures. As of 2025, there are no widely known details about a current boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. His focus has primarily been on his career and his passion for music, leaving fans captivated by the intriguing enigma that surrounds his personal life.
Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941), known professionally as Dr. Demento, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present.
Net Worth and Salary
As a pioneer in radio broadcasting with a niche audience, estimates suggest that as of 2025, Dr. Demento's net worth falls within the range of $1 million to $5 million. His income primarily comes from his radio show, live performances, and royalties from the extensive music catalog he has amassed over the years. Despite his wealth, Dr. Demento is known for his down-to-earth nature and dedication to his craft.
Beginning in approximately 2006, The Dr. Demento Show began offering pay-per-show audio streaming at the show's official website.
Large archives from 1974 to the present, as well as a few select archives from the early 1970s, are available, early on most of the syndicated programs from 1978 to 1992 were not because the broadcast rights were in limbo due to corporate changes at Westwood One; Talonian eventually resecured the rights to the Westwood One programs in 2012.
The first Westwood One show from February 26, 1978 became available in November, 2012. Some live local shows which aired in Los Angeles from this period were added. As part of the contract between Dr. Demento and radio stations, radio stations were prohibited from streaming the program online.
Several radio stations were forced to drop the program because of this policy, thus reducing Dr. Demento's affiliate count (at the end of the show's terrestrial run only six stations were carrying the show, versus over 100 at its peak), further exacerbating the show's financial problems and inability to sell advertising.
Despite the show's terrestrial cancellation, new online episodes are expected to be produced for the foreseeable future. The show ended its terrestrial broadcast on a cliffhanger, with the last terrestrial broadcast devoted to songs involving the word "big" and the first post-terrestrial broadcast devoted to songs involving the word "little".
Career, Business, and Investments
Dr. Demento's career began in the 1970s, and his radio show became a cultural phenomenon. His ability to curate and present novelty songs and comedy sketches has established him as a vital part of American entertainment history. In recent years, he has expanded his brand through various business endeavors, including merchandising and digital content distribution, which has allowed him to remain relevant in today's music industry.
From 1992 to 2000, the show was syndicated by On the Radio Broadcasting.
Hansen, under the name "Talonian Productions," handled syndication himself from 2000 until discontinuing syndication in 2010 (Hansen revealed that he was the owner of Talonian when responding to significant criticism of the company in 2007; Talonian had no involvement in any other show than Dr. Demento).
Between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s, Hansen continued to do live broadcasts on KMET and other Los Angeles area stations, in addition to his weekly taped syndicated show.
He also made occasional television appearances, on such shows as The Gong Show (on the 1988–89 revival), Bobby's World, The Simpsons, and on the Barnes and Barnes music video for "Fish Heads".
Social Network
Dr. Demento maintains an active presence on social media, where he engages with fans and shares his latest projects. His online platforms are a treasure trove of humor sketches, music recommendations, and insights into his career. Fans can connect with him through various channels, making him a leader in fostering community interaction among music enthusiasts.
In April 2013, Meep Morp Studios began seeking donations to fund a documentary named Under the Smogberry Trees: The True Story of Dr. Demento through Kickstarter. Under the Smogberry Trees was meant to be a filmed history of “The Dr.
Demento Show”, covering the lasting impact of funny music on popular culture, and including current interviews with Dementites connected to and/or inspired by the show. The Kickstarter campaign ended successfully on May 4, 2013, with a total of $118,722 in donations from 1,764 backers.
On September 27, 2016, Hansen announced he had terminated his support for Meep Morp's version of the film, was working on producing his own version of "Under the Smogberry Trees" with Devin Lucas as director, and forbade Meep Morp from continuing to use his name or likeness for their film.
Meep Morp stated that, after the film had substantially been completed and the studio prepared to begin taping the interview portions with Hansen in July 2014, he abruptly refused the interview and issued a cease and desist order to the studio instead, stating that he and Talonian would be taking full control of the film and its profits.
Neither version of the film has been released as of 2023.
Education
Dr. Demento earned his Bachelor's degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. His educational background has played a significant role in shaping his taste and approach to music and comedy. The analytical skills and culturally rich environment provided by his education have undoubtedly influenced his distinctive style on the radio.
In conclusion, Dr. Demento stands as an irreplaceable figure in the world of entertainment. His influence transcends generations, and as we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, it’s clear that his legacy will continue to inspire and amuse audiences everywhere. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to his work, his journey is one of passion, creativity, and enduring appeal.
Hansen holds a master's degree in ethnomusicology and has written magazine articles and liner notes on recording artists outside of the novelty genre.
He is credited with introducing new generations of listeners to artists of the early and middle 20th century whom they might not have otherwise discovered, such as Harry McClintock, Spike Jones, Jimmy Durante, Benny Bell, Rusty Warren, Yogi Yorgesson, Nervous Norvus, Allan Sherman, Ray Stevens, Candy Candido, Stan Freberg, and Tom Lehrer, as well a
s helping to bring "Weird Al" Yankovic to national attention.
