Who Is Nardwuar? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Nardwuar the Human Serviette, born on July 5, 1968, in Vancouver, Canada, has evolved into one of the most recognizable figures in the music industry. Known for his quirky personality and unique interview style, he has maintained a dedicated following since the late 1980s. As of 2025, Nardwuar is 56 years old and remains an active and influential presence in the entertainment world, hosting his own radio show and conducting interviews with various artists.
| Occupation | Rock Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 5, 1968 |
| Age | 56 Years |
| Birth Place | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
Nardwuar's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nardwuar stands at an approximate height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs around 150 pounds (68 kg). With his energetic persona, he has maintained a slender build over the years, contributing to his stage presence and ability to engage audiences. His signature look—complete with a colorful wardrobe and glasses—has also become a hallmark of his identity.
In June 2004, Nardwuar convinced an amused Paul Martin, the then-Prime Minister of Canada, to play a quick game of the Hasbro game "Hip Flip" while he was on the campaign trail. After Martin won the election, Nardwuar commented on the great predictive power of the "Hip Flip," because neither of the other two candidates had performed the act.
On a campaign trip to Vancouver in December 2005, Nardwuar concluded an interview with then New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton—who, in their first encounter, had taken the instructions to the game and said he would practice for their next encounter—with a successful, coordinated, swinging of their hips.
The 22nd Prime Minister Stephen Harper is the only major candidate from the 2004 election who has never performed a successful "Hip Flip" with Nardwuar. Nardwuar was escorted out by Harper's security while trying to initiate the game.
In the 2015 Canadian federal election, the first federal leader to complete the Hip Flip game was Justin Trudeau, who did so on September 10, 2015 after a press conference in Vancouver.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Nardwuar is known for his public persona, he tends to keep his personal life private. As of 2025, there is limited information about his current dating status. There has been speculation regarding his relationships, but he has not publicly confirmed any longtime boyfriend or partner. Family details are similarly scarce, as he focuses more on his career and interactions with fans.
He is Jewish. His father, Vernon, was an engineer and his mother Olga Ruskin (née Bruchovsky) was a local journalist, high school history teacher and historian. She published a history of Vancouver historical figure John "Gassy Jack" Deighton. His mother exposed him to local history by bringing him to historical society meetups.
In elementary school, Nardwuar won a public speaking competition and was a long-distance runner.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Nardwuar's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. This figure reflects his successful career in radio, television, and music. His earnings stem primarily from his work as a broadcaster, his appearances in documentaries, and his thriving YouTube channel, where he engages audiences with unique content and viral interviews.
Career, Business, and Investments
Nardwuar's career spans several decades, beginning with his early work at a college radio station in Vancouver. He gained notoriety for his distinctive interviewing style, often incorporating obscure references and exclusive props into his conversations with celebrities. Over the years, he has interviewed a myriad of artists from various genres, solidifying his reputation as a go-to figure for music enthusiasts.
In addition to his radio and TV endeavors, Nardwuar has been involved in music, forming the band The Evaporators. His business acumen is reflected in his business ventures, which align with his interests in arts and culture.
At the 2013 South by Southwest Festival, film director Brent Hodge and producer Chris Kelly did a retrospective of Nardwuar's career for Time. Pharrell Williams playfully turned the tables and interviewed Nardwuar immediately after his own interview, imitating Nardwuar's signature style.
Social Network
Nardwuar is highly active on social media, using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with his fans. He often shares quirky updates, interviews, and snippets of his adventures in the entertainment industry. His ability to adapt to social media trends has helped him maintain relevance and reach new audiences, especially younger fans who appreciate his eccentric approach.
Noted for his excitable and eccentric persona, Nardwuar is known for performing extensive research on his interviewees to surprise and confuse them. A typical Nardwuar interview will begin with "Who are you?", followed by "From?" if the subject does not volunteer their affiliations.
Each interview ends with "Keep on rockin' in the free world", and the "doot doola doot doo ..." of "Shave and a Haircut", to which the interviewee is expected to reply with the final "doot doo!" before the interview is concluded. Nardwuar would also freeze in place, holding the same surprised expression.
Interviews also often close with Nardwuar asking the interviewee "Why should people care about [interviewee's name]?" When asked to explain his name, Nardwuar has said it is "a dumb, stupid name like Sting or Sinbad"; that "Human" came from the song "Human Fly" by the Cramps; and that "Serviette" came from the fact that "in the U.S.A.
they don't have serviettes, they have napkins".
Education
Nardwuar attended the University of British Columbia, where he studied history. His educational background has influenced his interview style, often seen in his extensive knowledge of music history and trivia that he incorporates into his questions. This academic experience, combined with his ability to engage with guests, has made him a beloved figure in the world of entertainment.
Nardwuar got his start in media at the University of British Columbia radio station, CITR 101.9 FM. His show has run from each Friday afternoon since October 1987. The program features a mix of eclectic music, along with interviews and commentary. Nardwuar's interviews have frequently been shown on MuchMusic's Going Coastal, and printed in Chart.
Although Nardwuar most frequently interviews musicians, he has stated that he may interview any celebrity. Nardwuar often appears as a guest interviewer on CBC Radio 3; his also had his own weekly program on WFMU, which ran between 2009 and 2013.
