- Nate Bargatze is set to host the 2025 Emmys on Sunday, September 14.
- Nate and his wife, Laura Bargatze, got married on Friday the 13th in 2006 and share a 13-year-old daughter, Harper.
- Laura worked as a corporate event planner before joining Nate in the comedy world as a producer and talent manager.
Before Nate Bargatze became a household name in the comedy world, he was waiting tables at an Applebee’s in Tennessee. As he worked his way through the ranks in the early aughts, one person stayed by his side: his wife, Laura Bargatze. The pair has been together for nearly 20 years and even shares a 13-year-old daughter, Harper.
Now, Nate’s got five stand-up specials under his belt and is set to host this year’s Emmys on Sunday, September 14. So, before he hits the red carpet with his wife, here’s everything you need to know about Laura Bargatze.
They met while working at an Applebee’s in the 2000s
It’s true! While Nate worked as a server at the beloved chain restaurant in Tennessee, Laura was working as a hostess.
During his The Greatest Average American stand-up special in 2021, he even joked about whether Laura imagined their paths would cross. “When I met him, he was a host and I didn’t think he was smart enough to be a server. So, yeah, we’ve gotten a little bit farther than I expected,” she said at the time.
They got married on Friday the 13th
Nate and Laura tied the knot with a ceremony on Friday, October 13, 2006. The comedian even joked about their “unlucky” wedding date during his 2021 stand-up special.
“We got married on Friday the 13th. Got a pretty sweet deal on that,” he said. “They were wide open. We were like, ‘What times are available?’ They go, ‘Every one of ‘em. All 24. You can call us that day if you want.’”
Nate also gushed about their nuptials on their 17th wedding anniversary with a sweet tribute on Instagram, writing, “Friday the 13th turned out to be ok. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I love you Laura. Happy Anniversary!”
They have a 13-year-old daughter
On July 8, 2012, the couple welcomed their daughter, Harper Blair Bargatze. He announced her birth with a social media post, writing, “My beautiful new daughter Harper Blair. Awesome day.”
As she grew up, Harper also jokingly introduced her dad during three of his comedy specials in the same way, saying, “Please welcome my daddy, Nate Bargatze!”
Simply iconic!
Naturally, Nate jokes about his family during his stand-up sets
Being in a comedian’s family means you’re the brunt of the joke sometimes. Throughout his stand-up specials, Nate has run bits surrounding his marriage with Laura—including laundry day and their airport habits.
Laura worked as a corporate event planner...
Per Laura’s LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005 and later worked as a corporate event planner.
“I saw an ad in a paper and it was for an event planner… and I was like, that’s what I want to do,” she said during an appearance on her husband’s The Nateland Podcast.
Laura also assured listeners that she thrived in her independence while Nate was out doing stand-up. “I was golden because it was a travel job and it was… late nights. I didn’t ever have to wait on him to get home because I had my own thing going on,” she added.
...But she later joined Nate in the comedy world
In 2019, Laura became an executive producer on The Nateland Podcast. She eventually became a talent manager at Bargatze Enterprises, which The Hollywood Reporter claims is “cooking up family-friendly movies, koozies, cruises and, yes, even theme parks.” Okay, the range!
