Unpacking the Strange Folklore Behind Theo Von’s ‘Rat King’ Nickname

One of Louisiana's own has quietly become one of the biggest stars in entertainment. Covington's Theo Von is a stand-up comedian, and podcast host, who has built a massive, global audience.

While he may not be a household name for everyone, his online reach is gigantic, making him one of the most popular Louisiana celebrities in the world, especially for a younger crowd. Think about the fact that a lot of political experts believed he played a role in the 2024 US Presidential Elections.

How Did Theo Von Get So Famous?

His climb to the top wasn't traditional either. Some people first saw him way back in the early 2000s as a cast member on MTV's "Road Rules". He kept popping up on MTV shows for the next few years. By 2006, he made a big splash on "Last Comic Standing", which was his first taste of mainstream comedy. He didn't win the whole show, but he did win "Last Comic Downloaded" for having the most popular clip. A pretty good sign of where his career was headed.

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In his home state of Louisiana, fans really connect with him. A big part of it is just how authentic he is...he's not putting on an act...that's really him. After all, he graduated from Mandeville High School and went to the University of New Orleans. He just sounds like Louisiana...like the physical embodiment of the state.

So...What's The "Rat King" All About?

But one of the biggest things in the Theo Von universe is his nickname...The Rat King.

This persona has become a massive part of his brand. He talks about it constantly on his podcast and in interviews. He's even got a ton of merch with the Rat King gimmick all over it. Fans yell it at his shows...it's a whole thing.

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So what IS The Rat King? Where did it come from? It's not just some random name he picked. Like most things with Theo, it's a pretty wild and nonspecific story. We've tracked down what seems to be the origin story, pieced together from a couple of videos...

(Just a heads-up, you should WATCH OUT FOR NSFW LANGUAGE IN THESE VIDEOS. So maybe put on some headphones if you're at work.)

...and that's pretty much how it happened. Long live The Rat King...truly Louisiana royalty, through and through.