Everything You Need to Know About Nate Bargatze’s Wife, Laura Bargatze

Nate Bargatze is a Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian with over twenty years of stand-up comedy success, and he is well-known for his hilarious Netflix specials, including The Tennessee Kid, The Greatest Average American, and Your Friend, Nate Bargatze. He has become a household name in the world of stand-up comedy. While his career has skyrocketed, a steady, unsung hero behind his success is his wife, Laura Bargatze. For over 20 years, Laura has been by Nate’s side through thick and thin, from his early days working in an Applebee’s to becoming a comedy sensation. Here’s a look into the woman behind the man—Laura Bargatze.

How Did Nate and Laura Meet?

Nate Bargatze with Laura Bargatze poses for a photo.
Photo: Nate Bargatze/Instagram

Nate and Laura first crossed paths when they were both working at an Applebee’s restaurant in Tennessee in their early 20s. Nate was a host, while Laura was a server, and it didn’t take long before they hit it off. Nate’s ability to make his coworkers laugh was one of the things that stood out to Laura. As Nate recalls in his comedy routines, when he was a host, he didn’t have the highest expectations regarding being “smart enough” to be a server. But what truly caught Laura’s eye was Nate’s boldness and confidence.

In a funny recount on The Nateland Podcast, Laura remembers how Nate played The Little Mermaid soundtrack one night at a group gathering, asking his friends to be quiet while he listened. His ability to take charge in that moment left a lasting impression on her. She said, “If anyone could put in The Little Mermaid soundtrack and shush a bunch of 20-year-olds … I thought that was totally confident.”

A Partnership Built on Support and Trust

When Nate told Laura about his plans to pursue a comedy career, she didn’t bat an eye. She had a “good feeling” about it and supported him unconditionally. Nate has often mentioned how important Laura’s support was in his decision to leave his stable job for the unpredictable world of comedy. She was the rock he needed, and her belief in him never wavered.

Despite the early challenges, including living in New York and struggling to make ends meet, Laura stood by his side. Nate jokes about their humble beginnings in his routines, but it’s clear that the couple’s relationship is rooted in mutual respect and support.

Married for Nearly Two Decades

Nate proposed to Laura in 2005 during a romantic carriage ride in Central Park, just after he had been drafted into the NFL by the Carolina Panthers. The couple tied the knot on Friday, October 13, 2006, a date Nate humorously notes is both lucky and unlucky.

Their marriage has now spanned over 17 years, and they continue to celebrate their strong bond on social media. Nate’s anniversary posts often highlight his deep affection for Laura, joking about their wedding date being on Friday the 13th and thanking her for being an unwavering support in his career.

Parenthood: A Family Full of Laughter

Nate Bargatze with his wife and daughter.
Photo: Natebargatze/Instagram

In 2012, the Bargatze family grew with the birth of their daughter, Harper Blair. Nate often shares funny anecdotes about fatherhood, including the ups and downs of helping Harper with her third-grade homework. As Harper has grown, she’s taken on a more prominent role in Nate’s comedy routines, even announcing him before each of his Netflix specials. She also helped her dad reflect on some of his jokes, and the two share an incredible father-daughter relationship that is often showcased in Nate’s stand-up.

Laura’s Role in Nate’s Career

Laura isn’t just Nate’s wife and mother of their child—she also plays a key role in his professional life. She’s an executive producer for his podcast, The Nateland Podcast, and serves as a talent manager for his company. Her marketing and event planning background has proven invaluable in helping Nate expand his reach, both in his comedy career and through his various ventures.

In 2022, Nate posted a heartfelt birthday message for Laura on Instagram, calling her “the best mom, wife, and podcast producer” and noting how she is integral to everything they’ve achieved together.

Why Laura Bargatze is So Important to Nate

In Nate’s Netflix specials, he frequently jokes about their relationship, highlighting the playful dynamics of their marriage. He refers to Laura as the “man” of the household, pointing out how she takes charge while he’s busy on the road. But beneath the jokes lies a deep sense of appreciation and love. Nate knows he wouldn’t have made it to where he is today without Laura’s constant support.

Nate has also openly discussed how his marriage to Laura gave him the stability he needed to pursue his dreams. In his stand-up, he talks about how marriage is “like a mosh pit”—chaotic yet fulfilling. Their shared experiences, both good and bad, have been a source of endless material for Nate’s comedy.

A Family That Laughs Together

Nate Bargatze posted a picture of himself with his wife, Laura Bargatze and their daughter Harper to mark their 17-year-old wedding anniversary.
Photo: Nate Bargatze/Instagram

The Bargatze family resides in Tennessee, not far from Nashville, where they’ve built a home surrounded by family and friends. Despite Nate’s success in Hollywood and New York, the couple returned to Tennessee to raise their daughter near family. In 2022, Nate explained in an interview with Nashville Scene that the decision to settle in Tennessee was because his family is there, and he wanted Harper to grow up with close connections to her extended family.

FAQs

How did Nate and Laura Bargatze meet? Nate and Laura met while working at an Applebee’s restaurant in Tennessee. Nate was a host, and Laura was a server. They began dating in their early 20s and have been together ever since.

When did Nate Bargatze and Laura get married? Nate and Laura married on Friday, October 13, 2006, which Nate humorously points out was on “Friday the 13th.”

Do Nate and Laura Bargatze have any children? Yes, they have one daughter, Harper Blair, who was born on July 8, 2012.

What is Laura Bargatze’s role in Nate’s career? Laura is an executive producer for Nate’s podcast, The Nateland Podcast, and serves as his talent manager. She is also involved in many aspects of his business and creative ventures.

How long have Nate and Laura been together? Nate and Laura have been together for over 20 years and married for nearly 17 years.