The revelation of the world of entertainment is one Matt Rife suddenly becoming the custodian of the infamous Annabelle doll and the hottest comedy tour of this year. The Internet does not go without his recent controversies, career achievements, and new projects.
Top Takeaways
- Matt Rife purchased the most known the world Ed and Lorraine Warren Occult Museum (home of the Annabelle doll), making himself a public “legal owner”.
- He is making the museum mainstream as he plans to have tours and even overnight stays.
- The “Stay Golden” comedy tour by Rife has been a hit all over the country with Rife maintaining his tour in arenas that are sold out and now counts among the top-grossing comedians of 2025.
- He keeps causing viral buzz- including social media backlash as well as high profile controversies.
- Through streaming specials, sold out shows, endorsements and real estate Rifes net worth has now surpassed 50 million.
Haunted Hype: Matt Rife & The Annabelle Doll
Comedian Matt Rife (29), known to TikTok primarily due to his crowd-work and the Netflix special Natural Selection, told people on August 2, 2025 that he, with long-time YouTuber Elton Castee, had purchased the Occult Museum that was started up by Ed and Lorraine Warren in Connecticut. Rife has officially become the legal care-taker of five years’ haunted items–including the infamous Annabelle doll that inspired The Conjuring film franchise. He enthusiastically made his purchase online mentioning that he is obsessed with, among others, all things haunted.
It will have overnight stays and interactive tours soon as a fan experience. According to Rife, he would like to save the paranormal history and also increase the number of people who gain access to one of the most discussed haunted houses in America.
Online reaction
Matt Rife sold haunted investments and it instantly went viral. Millions were excited–some in excitement, others in fear as to the safety of his life, and many with the buffoon shooting off their mouths over the curse of “Annabelle” Waves of warning and prayers accompanied headlines and comment sections as netizens expressed worry on the supernatural reputation of the doll, more over the recent unexpected death of a paranormal investigator closely associated with the museum. Rife termed it as a dream come true, and was optimistic regarding this risk.
“If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with the paranormal… It’s an honor to take over one of the most prominent properties in haunted history.”
— Matt Rife, Instagram
For deeper context, see: Ed & Lorraine Warren’s Occult Museum.
Sold-Out Tours & Online Stardom
Matt Rife was born in Columbus in Ohio. He started doing stand-up at the age of 15 and became the first regular in the Laugh Factory Comedy Club in Los Angeles, and virally exploded on Tik Tok and Wild N Out on MTV. By 2025, he would have appeared in Netflix specials, be self-funded (Only Fans, Walking Red Flag) and had 18 million followed him on Tik Tok.
His dynamic, freewheeling crowd work gave way to his 2025 Stay Golden North American tour, which added major arenas and sold out venues quickly to his already meteoric rise. Rife has an income that is now exceeding 50 million, and has diversified to include acting, social media sponsorships and high end real estate.
Controversy & Criticism
Rife isn’t controversy-free. An example of this is the situation that happened in 2023 when he was given criticism regarding a joke about domestic violence in his Netflix special that led to headlines and discussions among the fans. His online apology added some gas to the fire but he has since argued that comedy must also provoke and even heal. His high-profile relationships, visible rivalries and in some cases, impolite crowd responses have also made him visible in the public.
Beyond Stand-Up
Rife taking up new job as museum keeper of the Warren museum throws him into the haunted tourist industry. In the meantime, his sold-out tour, Stay Golden, carries on and late 2025 is rumored to bring new films and TV works. Matt Rife has well beyond that stage as made clear by his comedy brand, museum, and sheer magnitude of online presence.
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