Biography

Samuel Whitcomb Hyde (born April 16, 1985) is an American comedian and co-founder of the sketch comedy group Million Dollar Extreme (MDE), alongside Nick Rochefort and Charls Carroll. Born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, Hyde graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in filmmaking. MDE gained attention on YouTube for its unconventional sketch style and public pranks, including staged appearances at conventions and comedy venues. One such appearance, presented as a satirical TEDx-style talk, brought the group wider public attention. Hyde and MDE later created the television series Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace, which aired on Adult Swim in 2016. The program featured surreal sketch comedy and attracted both a dedicated audience and public criticism for some of its themes and content. The series ran for one season before being cancelled. Hyde has said the cancellation was related to his public support for Donald Trump, while others involved with the network and commentary around the show cited concerns about its content. Hyde has also been the subject of a recurring internet hoax in which edited images and posts falsely identify him as the perpetrator of various mass shootings or attacks. The hoax has circulated widely online and has occasionally been acknowledged or referenced by Hyde. He has continued working in online media and entertainment and is associated with projects such as the reality series Fishtank.