Old YouTubers were among the first stars on this platform who created trends and broke the first records. These OG YouTubers are pioneers in making money from their online channels by creating content about anything they like. 

In 2005, when YouTube started, it became one of the first opportunities for online creators to make money from YouTube content.

There are lots of YouTubers who have become popular on YouTube and then faded away, and different trends have appeared and disappeared. But many fans really miss the early days of YouTube and the creators who were famous back then.

So, if you’re a brand owner looking for OG YouTubers for your YouTube influencer marketing, or you’re a fan who has been nostalgic for the creators who shaped a huge part of your childhood, this article is for you! Here we’ll provide a list of old YouTubers you forgot about!

Let’s get started!

The List of Old YouTubers You Forgot About

YouTube has been around for around 21 years, influencing the childhood memories of two generations, Millennials and Gen Z. In this section, we’ll offer a list of old YouTubers, from old gaming YouTubers to old beauty YouTubers, along with their engagement rate, total views, etc.

Note: You can also use Ainfluencer’s free YouTube audit tool to analyze every YouTuber’s channel.

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1. Smosh – (@smosh)

• Subscribers: 27Million
• Where Now: Still active, posting sketch and comedy content

Even if you didn’t like Smosh’s videos, most people on YouTube knew they had a big impact. Anthony Padilla started a website called smosh.com in 2002, and later he and his friend Ian Hecox joined YouTube. They were known for making comedy and entertaining videos.

Anthony played a big part in making the Smosh YouTube channel popular. But in 2017, he left, and new people started showing up in their videos.

Just before VidCon, Anthony and Ian announced that they were getting the Smosh channel back. Some viewers really liked the original members, but everything changed as people left, and new ones were replaced. Now, the channel has 26.9 million subscribers.

They upload videos almost once a week, getting thousands of views the moment they are posted. If you want to get to know them better and learn how they became YouTubers, you should watch their oldest videos, which are from 18 years ago.

2. Mathew Tyler Oakley – (@TylerOakley)

• Subscribers: 6.64 Million 
• Where Now: Not active on YouTube, turned to Twitch Streams

Most old YouTubers eventually return to YouTube after dropping it for a while. The same happened to Mathew Tyler Oakley as well.

Tyler Oakley, a 35-year-old American YouTuber, actor, activist, and author, is known for his work supporting LGBTQ youth and social issues. He was one of the older YouTubers you forgot about and who left the platform three years ago.

He uploaded a video and explained everything about why he was leaving three years ago, and then a year later, he came back with another video explaining that nothing bad had really happened to him and that he was alive.

Mathew started his YouTube channel in 2007, and over time, he built a large family on the platform. With millions of views, he connected with fans by sharing his culture and humor.

Before he shut his account three years ago, he used to post fun videos about everything. Now that he’s back, his sense of humor has returned as well. He loves cheering up his audience with his creativity.

3. Ryan Higa – (@ryanhiga)

• Subscribers: 20.7 million
• Where Now: Not active anymore, the last upload in 2021, started a new channel, HigaTV

If you’re looking for old nostalgic YouTubers, Ryan Higa is a name you can’t miss! Ryan Higa is one of the old popular YouTubers. He’s an American comedian and actor.

He goes by the username NigaHiga on YouTube. Ryan is famous for making funny videos, and they’ve been watched more than 3 billion times. 

From 2009 to 2011, this funny YouTuber had the most subscribers on YouTube, second only to PewDiePie. Currently, he has more than 20 million subscribers.

While he still makes videos on his main channel, he has also broadened his content and launched a new channel called HigaTV.

4. Adam Dahlberg – (@SkyDoesShorts)

• Subscribers: 10.8 million
• Where Now: Not active anymore, the last upload in 2022

Adam Dahlberg is one of the old popular Minecraft YouTubers, a video game commentator, and a former YouTube animator.

His fame began with Minecraft videos, where he called the gold ingot ‘budder’ and expressed a strong dislike for squids in the game. 

At Minecon 2013, he performed a Minecraft parody song called ‘New World.’ In addition to his gaming content, he is a musician named NetNobody.

He played a significant role in popularizing the ‘budder’ trend and squid-hating in Minecraft, making him a favorite among both young Gen-Z and older Minecraft players. He currently boasts over 10 million subscribers on his YouTube channel!

Additionally, Adam has not been very active as a YouTuber; his most recent post was four years ago and has gained over 800K views.

Now, let’s look at one of the old Fortnite YouTubers who has the most subscribed YouTube channel among the Fortnite community!

5. Richard Tyler Blevins – (@Ninja)

• Subscribers: 23.6 million
• Where Now: Still active, posting gaming videos

With his energetic gaming style and fierce Fortnite skills, Richard stands out as one of the most popular and old gaming YouTubers and Twitch streamers.

He’s famous for playing Fortnite on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Ninja has a massive following, with 19 million fans on Twitch and almost 24 million subscribers on YouTube. 

He’s a big deal in the Fortnite community and holds the record for the most subscribers on YouTube in that gaming niche.

6. Joseph Michael Graceffa Jr. –(@JoeyGraceffa)

• Subscribers: 9.39 million
• Where Now: Still active, posting videos of his pets

Ready to meet one of the most nostalgic YouTubers? Joseph Gracía is a 33-year-old YouTube influencer who has several channels, each focused on specific content.

In his main channel, all you will see is his love for dogs and puppies. He makes vlogs and videos about how he spends his life with his 10 huskies. From their playful challenges to their growing process and the bad things that happen to them, he has them all on tape.

This gaming YouTuber has a mix of fun content, like vlogs, lifestyle tips, animal videos, social experiments, and more for everyone, including the LGBTQ community! I

If you are a pet lover who enjoys videos about dogs and cats, interesting vlogs, and a variety of gaming tips, this channel is perfect for you!

7. Blair Fowler – (@juicystar07)

• Subscribers: 1.64 million
• Where Now: Still active, posting beauty, fashion & lifestyle videos

From sharing makeup tips to inspiring young women with her beauty tutorials, Blair Fowler, also known as juicystar07, was one of the old beauty YouTubers and lifestyle influencers who began her channel in 2008.

Many young women learned from her how to style their hair and apply makeup. After more than ten years of making videos, she stopped in 2020. In July, Fowler returned to YouTube and said she wanted to make videos again. 

This female hot YouTuber shares updated makeup routines and her morning and nighttime routines. She also hoped that filming room tours of her new house would motivate her to finish decorating. Funny!

The old YouTuber didn’t respond to requests for comments. Fans were excited about her possible comeback and talked about how much she influenced them as an early influencer.

Now that she is back, she posts makeup and fashion content for her fans every month.

8. Jeffree Star (@jeffreestar)

• Subscribers: 15.6 million
• Where Now: Not much active, with occasional uploads

With a vibrant personality and a flair for creativity, Jeffree Star is more than just an old YouTuber; he’s also dabbled in music, acting, and cosmetics, and has been a successful entrepreneur overall.

People really like Jeffree for his personality and content, making him one of the most beloved old makeup YouTubers.

Jeffree began his YouTube channel in 2006, and now, he has over 15 million subscribers. Furthermore, he owns Jeffree Star Cosmetics, a makeup brand that sells over $100 million of products annually— showing how creators can build influence, grow businesses, and even sell on YouTube.

Next, let’s check out one of the old YouTubers you forgot about!

9. Lucas Cruikshank (@Fred)

• Subscribers: 3M
• Where Now: Not active anymore, the last upload in 2015

When you refer to the old days of YouTube, there was a popular and energetic YouTuber named FRED, also known as Lucas Cruikshank.

FRED was a fictional character played by Lucas, and he became famous in the early years of YouTube. Lucas decided to retire the character in 2013 because he couldn’t do the unique FRED voice anymore. Besides YouTube, FRED also gained exposure on Nickelodeon.

Starting in 2008, FRED was a big deal on YouTube, and whether you liked him or not, he became a significant part of 2000s nostalgia.

Lucas even made a trilogy of FRED movies from 2010 to 2012. Although he’s not as popular as he used to be, FRED remains a well-known name on YouTube, leaving a lasting impression on millions of people.

The last video on the FRED channel was posted several years ago, but its impact is something many won’t forget. Right now, Lucas is active on TikTok and creates fun videos at least once a week.

10. Charlie McDonnell (@charlieissocoollike)

• Subscribers: 2.1M
• Where Now: Not much active, casual collaboration videos

From the moment Charlie McDonnell, known as Charlieissocoollike, stepped onto the YouTube scene, she made history as the first British YouTuber to reach more than 2 million subscribers.

She started making videos in 2007, where she did sketches and created ‘Fun Science’ videos. In 2019, she left YouTube to concentrate on writing for the screen.

In October 2022, McDonnell shared on Instagram that she is a transgender woman and prefers to be referred to using she and they pronouns.

In a video in January, she talked about her experience of coming out and how YouTube played a role in that journey.

Now that she’s done that, she mentioned feeling positive about returning to YouTube because she can now show her authentic self on the platform. 

She deleted all of her posts on YouTube and kept only two in which she fully transformed into a female. She explained the clues of her being transgender and then stopped posting after that, but she is still active on Twitch. That video gained over 500k views.

11. Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (@PewDiePie)

• Subscribers: 110M
• Where Now: Still active, posting gaming, personal life & meme content

Imagine being the star of YouTube for nearly six years, holding the title of the platform’s most-subscribed creator. Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg is an old, popular YouTuber known for his Let’s Play videos and Vlogs.

He held the record for the most subscribers on YouTube for almost 6 years, but Mr. Beast has now surpassed him with 327 million subscribers. As of now, PewDiePie has 110 million subscribers.

In January 2017, PewDiePie made a significant change in his content and attitude with a video titled ‘Forced Positivity.’

In the video, he honestly discussed the topic, admitting his own mistakes and weaknesses with self-awareness and humility. Now he’s focusing on comedy, reaction videos, meta-commentary, and satire, with less emphasis on gaming content.

12. Mark Edward Fischbach (@markiplier)

• Subscribers: 37.7M 
• Where Now: Still active, creating gaming content and side projects

Mark is one of the old gaming YouTubers who is famous for his cheerful and fun personality in his videos. While he mainly makes videos about video games, over time, he started to show a more genuine side of himself. People really like Markiplier’s friendly personality and the endless entertainment in his videos.

His YouTube channel has more than 36 million subscribers and features over 5,000 videos for viewers to enjoy. Markiplier started his YouTube channel in 2012, and from the beginning, his videos have always been pretty funny. Even though he now makes different types of content, he hasn’t changed the entertaining personality that fans have come to appreciate.

Check out his channel and enjoy!

13. Judy Graham (@knittingtipsbyjudy)

• Subscribers: 59.8K 
• Where Now: Not active, the last upload was 1 year ago

From everything you could imagine a grandma could be, being a YouTuber would seem the least of the options.

Judy is an 81-year-old knitting enthusiast who runs the YouTube channel ‘knittingtipsbyjudy’. He started sharing her knitting expertise on November 23, 2007, and is still active with a growing fan base of over 58K subscribers.

Judy doesn’t care how much YouTube pays her; she only cares about sharing her passion with her subscribers. She has been knitting since she was 13 and even owns a successful company, Topaz Knitwear, known for creating knitted clothing for celebrities and popular shows. Judy’s journey into YouTube began when her son wrote about seniors using the internet and social media.

Right now, our lovely grandma hasn’t really been active, and her last post is from 8 months ago. While her fans are worried about her health condition, her audience is still growing.

14. Casey Owen Neistat –(@casey)

• Subscribers: 12.6M 
• Where Now: Still active, uploading videos of odd places

If you’re a fan of adventure vlogs that reveal hidden places and facts around New York City, you’re going to love this. Casey Owen Neistat is a 43-year-old with a wide range of work, from being a YouTuber and filmmaker to a vlogger and entrepreneur. He does it all.

Casey has used his YouTube channel to creatively highlight social issues and the odd places of city life. In one of his latest videos, he created a video about “New York City’s Controversial Fire Hydrant Fish Pond,” showing people and interacting with them through humor and laughter.

Neistat posts videos every couple of months, and thanks to his popularity, the moment he posts them, he gets millions of views. Those millions of views are just for 5 to 12-minute videos, and his videos are not that long.

15. Shirley Curry (@ShirleyCurryTheOlderGamer)

• Subscribers: 1.3M 
• Where Now: Still active, recording herself playing games 

Shirley Curry is 89 years old and has a YouTube channel under her name. As one of the oldest YouTubers, she started uploading videos on July 8, 2015, and she is still active.

Her first video showcased pictures from her holiday at Cedar Hill, but it was the second video, a Let’s Play of Skyrim, that brought her fame with 1.4 million views.

Her channel has gained over one million subscribers. Although she initially focused on Skyrim, Shirley now plays various games with good 3D graphics and realistic human characters. This old YouTuber uploads several videos each week, and her channel continues to grow in popularity.

As an 89-year-old YouTuber, she is quite active. She usually posts twice a week, often recording herself playing games to create content for her audience.

16. Elizabeth Shaila Koshy –(@lizakoshy)

• Subscribers: 16.7M 
• Where Now: Still active, posting comedy videos every few months

Although she is mostly known as a YouTuber, Elizabeth is also a skilled actress. Like many other OG YouTubers, she started her career on Vine. After that platform shut down, she moved to YouTube, continuing to grow her audience.

Elizabeth Shaila Koshy, nicknamed “Lizzza,” is a YouTuber, media personality, and actress from Texas. Our cowgirl here became known on YouTube for her comedic spirit and insight into serious issues.

Like every other important social media creator, she faced some social problems. In 2020, she faced criticism after some old videos came to light which she used Asian accents in an offensive way. She posts every few months (though she hasn’t posted anything for a year now), and her last video is about a tour of her closet.

17. Peter Oakley (@geriatric1927)

• Subscribers: 105K 
• Where Now: Not active anymore, passed away in 2014

Peter Oakley, an 87-year-old man from England, started a YouTube channel called geriatric1927 in 2006. Even though he is no longer active, his videos are still popular. Peter shared stories from his life, especially about his experiences during the war and his younger days. His first video, uploaded on August 5, 2006, has over 3.2 million views.

Unfortunately, he passed away from cancer on March 23, 2014. Despite his absence, people still watch his videos; his last video on YouTube has over 500K views, and he is remembered as the grandfather of the Internet.

18. Tim Rowett (@grandillusions)

• Subscribers: 2.1M 
• Where Now: Still active, posting cool toy videos

Tim Rowett, who is 74 years old, runs a YouTube channel called Grand Illusions. He is one of the old YouTubers who started uploading videos on July 9, 2008, and he’s still active. 

Tim has been collecting cool and unusual toys for over 30 years, and his channel is all about showcasing these quirky games and fascinating trinkets from his collection.

In Tim’s videos, he introduces a toy, demonstrates how it works, and often explains its features. One of his most popular videos is called ‘Tim Whistles,’ where he showcases some unique whistles in interesting shapes. Grand Illusions has over 2M subscribers. Tim usually uploads a new video at least once a week.

19. Rosanna Jeanne Reardon –(@RosannaPansino)

• Subscribers: 14.7M 
• Where Now: Still active, creating fun & food content

Most people believe Asians never age, and women like Rosanna are ageless as well, becoming even more beautiful and youthful with each passing year. At 40 years old, Rosanna Jeanne Reardon is an old-generation YouTuber, actress, author, businesswoman, and singer. She is the definition of unstoppable.

Rose started her YouTube channel in 2010 after friends constantly told her to become a camera person. Her baking videos quickly gained popularity, which inspired her to create the Nerdy Nummies series. Although she had to choose between acting and YouTube, she decided to stick with her channel, even when she wasn’t making any money at first.

She humorously creates content with laughter and loves to try new things in front of the camera. Alongside that, this old YouTuber loves nostalgic stuff and buys them to see if they really work. Rossana now has more than 14 million subscribers and over 1 billion views. She posts every few days, and her videos gain millions of views for each piece of content.

20. Lill Droniak (@thiskidneedsmedicine)

• Subscribers: 511K 
• Where Now: Not active anymore, last uploads 2021

An 87-year-old woman named Lill Droniak, also known as Grandma Lill is part of a YouTube channel called Kevin and Lill. They make vlogs and reaction videos together, with Lill’s grandson Kevin handling the filming, editing, and uploading.

The channel started on October 7, 2011, with Kevin posting the first video. Lill joined the channel a year later in a car vlog, and their popularity soared between 2013 and 2014 due to Grandma Lill’s funny personality and their close relationship. 

Right now, they are not active anymore, and their last video is from three years ago. While they are no longer active, their family on YouTube is still growing.

21. Marques Brownlee (@mkbhd)

• Subscribers: 20.1M 
• Where Now: Still regularly posting tech reviews and related projects on YouTube and platforms

Our next old YouTubers you forgot about is Marques Keith Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, a 31-year-old American YouTuber who has been uploading videos since January 1, 2009. 

He started his channel while still in high school, reviewing gadgets from his bedroom, and has since become one of the most respected tech reviewers on the planet.

Marques is known for his crisp production quality, deep dives into consumer electronics, and his calm, articulate delivery. His channel features reviews of smartphones, laptops, headphones, smartwatches, and even electric vehicles.

This old YouTuber has interviewed tech legends like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Satya Nadella, and even appeared in YouTube Rewind and on Hot Ones. Marques also hosts a podcast called “Waveform” and stars in the YouTube Original series “Retro Tech.”

22. Lewis Hilsenteger (@unboxtherapy)

• Subscribers: 24.8M
• Where Now: Still actively creating tech unboxing and review videos on YouTube

Lewis Hilsenteger, better known as Unbox Therapy and one of the nostalgic YouTubers, is a 40-year-old Canadian OG YouTuber who launched his channel in December 2010.

He’s one of the most iconic tech influencers on the platform, known for his sleek unboxing videos and honest reviews of the latest gadgets.

Lewis knows how to create videos to gain views on YouTube. He started out filming in his basement with just a webcam, and now his channel has over 4.7 billion views. 

He’s famous for the viral “iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test” video, which sparked Apple’s infamous Bendgate controversy. That video alone has over 70 million views and helped skyrocket his channel’s popularity.

23. Jordan Maron (@CaptainSparklez)

• Subscribers: 11.5M
• Where Now: No longer uploading Minecraft gameplay but posting lifestyle content

Jordan Maron, now 33 years old, is best known by his online alias CaptainSparklez. He’s one of the original YouTubers in the gaming niche, having launched his first channel in 2010 at just 18 years old. 

Jordan’s rise to stardom began with Minecraft parody music videos like “Revenge” and “Fallen Kingdom,” with “Revenge” earning him multiple Guinness World Records for being among the most-viewed Minecraft and gaming-related videos on YouTube, along with millions of fans worldwide.

But on this channel, he’s swapped creepers for supercars. His videos feature luxury car deliveries, track days, and gym routines, all filmed with his signature chill vibe and dry humor.

Though he’s no longer uploading Minecraft gameplay, Jordan remains active and continues to post lifestyle content every few weeks.

His fans have grown up with him as one of the old YouTubers, and his channel reflects that evolution from pixelated castles to real-life mansions and muscle cars.

24. Daniel Hardcastle (@NerdCubed)

• Subscribers: 2.4M
• Where Now: Active on YouTube and creative projects beyond gaming

Daniel Hardcastle, better known as NerdCubed or Nerd³, is a 36-year-old British YouTuber who began uploading videos on March 20, 2011. 

He’s one of the early YouTubers who helped shape the Let’s Play genre with his fast-paced editing, sarcastic humor, and deep love for video games.

Daniel’s channel started with Minecraft webcomics and comedic vlogs, but he quickly transitioned into gameplay videos. 

His series “13 Ways to Die,” sponsored by Machinima, became a breakout hit and helped him grow on social media and gain a massive following. He’s played everything from Portal and Just Cause to obscure indie games, always adding his signature wit and commentary.

25. Justine Ezarik (@iJustine)

• Subscribers: 7.08M
• Where Now: still active on YouTube, posting tech videos

41-year-old Justine Ezarik, widely known as iJustine, is one of the OG YouTubers and one of the earliest female tech creators on the platform. Her channel has grown into a hub for everything from gadget reviews to gaming, travel, and even jiu-jitsu.

Justine owns one of the old YouTube channels and first gained viral fame with her legendary “300-page iPhone bill” video in 2007, which earned millions of views and made her a household name among tech fans.

Her love for Apple products is no secret; she’s reviewed nearly every iPhone, iPad, and MacBook released since the beginning.

She’s still active on the platform as one of the original YouTubers, and continues to post tech videos about Apple and other gadgets.

How to Find and Collaborate With Old YouTubers?

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Conclusion

That wraps up our list of old popular YouTubers. We covered creators in every size and niche, from makeup to gaming. 

Considering that YouTube has been around since 2005, you can see how much early YouTubers have evolved. The old YouTubers became important figures in the community and left a lasting impact on the platform. Though some of these YouTubers may no longer be active, their impact is still felt on the platform, and some of them are often called the grandma and grandpa of the internet.

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