Ever wondered how the guy who basically invented the "extreme prank" genre on YouTube is still around? If you’ve been following the internet's most chaotic export, you probably know him simply as Vitaly.
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was born on March 8, 1992.
As of early 2026, he is 33 years old. He'll be hitting the big 34 this March. It’s kinda wild to think about because he’s been a fixture on our screens since the early 2010s. Most people his age are worrying about mortgages or career pivots, but Vitaly? He’s spent the last decade-plus dodging security guards, getting arrested in various hemispheres, and reinventing himself more times than a pop star.
Honestly, the question of how old is Vitaly is usually just the tip of the iceberg for fans. People aren't just curious about the number; they want to know how he's still doing this at an age when most "OG" YouTubers have retired to live in quiet mansions or started podcasting about crypto.
From Murmansk to Miami: The Early Years
Vitaly wasn't born into the glitz of Florida. He actually started life in Murmansk, Russia. If you've never looked it up, it's way up north—inside the Arctic Circle. Talk about a cold start. He moved to Odessa, Ukraine, as a kid before eventually landing in the US around 2006.
💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
By the time he was 20, he had already tasted his first bit of viral fame. Remember the "Miami Zombie Attack Prank" in 2012? That was him. He was barely out of his teens, running around some of Miami's roughest neighborhoods dressed as a zombie. It was dangerous. It was controversial. It was exactly what the early 2010s internet craved.
He didn't just stop at YouTube, though. There's this weird bit of trivia people always forget—right when he turned 18, he actually did a scene for Bang Bros. Yeah, that happened. He’s always been open about it, basically chalking it up to being a broke kid in Florida trying to make a buck.
The Current Drama: 33 and Facing Deportation
You’d think hitting your 30s would mellow a person out. Not Vitaly.
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, Vitaly is actually in the middle of a massive legal nightmare. He spent most of 2025 in a Philippine detention center. Why? Because he went to Manila and did exactly what Vitaly does—he filmed himself being a public nuisance for Kick livestreams. We’re talking about stealing security guards' hats, jumping on moving jeepneys, and even trespassing into a McDonald’s kitchen.
📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
The Philippine government didn't find it funny. They hit him with charges of unjust vexation and theft.
Just this week, the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines confirmed that he’s served his time and is officially being deported back to Russia. It’s a huge blow for him, especially considering he’s lived in the States for most of his life. At 33, he’s essentially being sent back to a country he hasn't called home in two decades.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Watching
There's something about the "Vitaly brand" that stays relevant, even as he gets older. While guys like MrBeast focus on high-production philanthropy, Vitaly stayed in the "vigilante" and "shock" lane.
- The Kick Era: Recently, he pivoted to Kick, the streaming platform known for having... let's say, looser rules than Twitch.
- Vigilante Content: He started "catching" people online, which brought him a whole new wave of viewers, though it also brought a ton of accusations that the videos were staged.
- The "Lost It All" Narrative: He often talks about how he made millions and lost it all to partying and bad decisions. People love a comeback story, even if the "hero" is a bit of a villain.
The Financial Reality in 2026
So, is he still rich? It’s hard to say for sure. Most estimates put his net worth somewhere between $5 million and $7 million, but that’s a moving target. He’s claimed in the past to make $500,000 a month at his peak.
👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
Between the legal fees in the Philippines, the loss of his Kick channel (which got banned during the Manila chaos), and the cost of being deported, his bank account has likely taken a massive hit. Still, he has over 10 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel. Even if he’s not posting there daily, that’s a lot of residual ad revenue.
What's Next for Vitaly?
Going back to Russia at 33 is going to be a massive culture shock. He’s spent his entire adult life building a brand based on American-style "prank" culture. Whether that translates to a new life in Moscow or Murmansk remains to be seen.
If you're looking to follow his next move, keep an eye on his Telegram or whatever alternative platforms he ends up on. History shows that no matter how many times he gets arrested or banned, he finds a way to get a camera in front of his face.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators:
- Understand the Platform Risks: Vitaly’s career is a masterclass in what happens when you push "looser" platforms (like Kick) too far in foreign countries. Local laws always trump platform Terms of Service.
- Diversify Your Presence: Relying on one region or one type of content is risky. Vitaly is currently learning that the hard way as he faces a life outside the US.
- Check the Facts: When you see "Vitaly Arrested" headlines, check the date. He’s been arrested so many times (Hollywood sign, World Cup, Super Bowl) that old news often recirculates as new.