James Rolfe

James Rolfe via BeatEmUps

James Rolfe (born July 10, 1980) is an American filmmaker, actor, and internet personality. He is best known for creating and starring in the web series Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN), in which he reviews and critiques retro video games in a humorous and often profane manner. Rolfe's work has garnered a significant following and has had a notable impact on internet culture and the gaming community.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

James Duncan Rolfe was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey. He developed an interest in filmmaking at a young age, creating short films using a VHS camcorder. Rolfe attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2004.

Career[edit | edit source]

Early Filmmaking[edit | edit source]

Before gaining fame as the Angry Video Game Nerd, Rolfe created numerous short films and independent projects. His early works include The Head Incident and Cinemaphobia. These projects showcased his passion for horror films and special effects.

Angry Video Game Nerd[edit | edit source]

In 2004, Rolfe created a character named "The Angry Nintendo Nerd" for a short video review of the game Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. The video was initially intended for a small group of friends but was later uploaded to the internet, where it quickly gained popularity. The character was later renamed "The Angry Video Game Nerd" to avoid trademark issues with Nintendo.

The success of the AVGN series led to the creation of Cinemassacre, a website and YouTube channel where Rolfe uploads his content. The series has expanded to include reviews of various video game consoles, accessories, and other media.

Other Projects[edit | edit source]

In addition to AVGN, Rolfe has worked on several other projects. He co-created the web series Board James, where he reviews and plays classic board games. He has also produced and starred in the feature film Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, which was released in 2014.

Rolfe has appeared in various other web series and collaborated with other internet personalities. He has also been involved in the production of documentaries and retrospectives on classic films and video games.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

James Rolfe is married to April Rolfe, and the couple has two children. He continues to reside in the Philadelphia area, where he works on his various projects.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

James Rolfe is considered a pioneer in the field of internet video content, particularly in the realm of video game reviews. His work has inspired numerous other content creators and has had a lasting impact on the online gaming community.