If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet where Shane Gillis lives, you’ve seen Steve Gerben. He’s the guy who looks like he’s perpetually recovering from a mild fender-bender but somehow has the funniest timing in the room. Honestly, for the longest time, he was just "the buddy" in the background of sketches. But things have changed. With the massive success of Tires on Netflix, Steve Gerben movies and tv shows are finally getting the spotlight they deserve.
It’s a weird career arc. Gerben isn't your typical Hollywood leading man. He’s a guy from the Philly suburbs who used to work at his dad's actual auto shop and spent years as a paralegal for his brother. That's not a bit. It’s his real life. And that authenticity is exactly why he’s become a cult hero.
The Tires Breakthrough and Why It Works
Let's talk about Tires. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on the most relatable workplace comedy since The Office, but with way more grease and verbal abuse. Gerben plays Will, the anxious heir to Valley Forge Automotive Center. He’s trying so hard to be a professional manager, but he’s surrounded by idiots—mostly his cousin Shane (played by Gillis).
The chemistry is real. It’s real because they’ve been friends since the early days of the Philly stand-up scene. When you watch Will getting bullied by Shane, you’re watching ten years of genuine friendship dynamic play out on screen. Netflix clearly saw the magic, too. They renewed the show for a second season before the first one even dropped, and as of early 2026, we’re already looking at a third season on the horizon.
👉 See also: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
One thing fans always ask about is Gerben’s hands. He’s been very open about this on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast. He suffers from severe arthritis, which was worsened by a bout with COVID-19. It’s why he can only use a few fingers effectively. He jokes about it constantly, but it adds this weirdly heroic layer to his physical comedy. He's out there doing bits while dealing with a condition that would make most people stay in bed.
The Gilly and Keeves Era
Before Netflix came calling, Gerben was the secret weapon of Gilly and Keeves. This YouTube sketch series, created by Shane Gillis and John McKeever, is where Gerben really cut his teeth.
You’ve probably seen the "Airplane" sketches. Gerben plays the most irritating, rule-following flight attendant you’ve ever met. It’s brilliant. He has this ability to play "pathetic" and "annoying" in a way that makes you love him. He didn't just act in these, though. He was a writer and even directed some of the most iconic pieces, like the "Trump Speed Dating" sketch.
✨ Don't miss: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
Key Credits in the Philly Universe
- Delco Proper (2016): This was a Comedy Central web series. Gerben played Gordy. It was short-lived but foundational for the whole crew.
- Holly and the Hot Chocolate (2022): This is a weird one. It’s a parody of those Hallmark Christmas movies, produced by John McKeever. Gerben plays "Mayor Steve." It’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.
- Gilly and Keeves: The Special (2022): When the crew put together a feature-length sketch special, Gerben was front and center.
More Than Just a Sidekick
It’s easy to label him as Shane’s sidekick, but that’s a mistake. Gerben is a writer first. He’s the guy who helps structure the chaos. On Tires, he’s a co-creator and executive producer. He isn't just showing up to get made fun of; he’s architecting the jokes.
His podcast appearances are also legendary. If you want to see the "real" Gerben, go back and listen to his episodes on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast or his recent 2025 appearance on Are You Garbage?. He tells stories about his time as a mail carrier in Berwyn, PA, and his catastrophic dating life that are honestly funnier than most scripted TV. There’s a specific kind of "Gerben energy"—a mix of high intelligence and total social surrender—that nobody else can replicate.
What's Next for Steve Gerben?
The 2026 landscape looks bright for him. With Tires Season 3 in production, he’s becoming a household name for comedy fans. There are rumors of him branching out into more feature film roles, possibly working with the same crew on a larger project.
🔗 Read more: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
People love an underdog. Gerben is the ultimate underdog. He’s the guy who failed out of George Washington University, worked at a tire shop, and then became the lead of a global hit show. It's a crazy story.
How to Catch Up on Steve Gerben’s Work
- Start with Tires on Netflix. Watch both seasons. Pay attention to how he plays the straight man. It’s harder than it looks.
- Go to the Gilly and Keeves YouTube channel. Search for any sketch with "Gerbs" in the title. "The Sleepover" and "Airplane" are mandatory viewing.
- Listen to the "Old Testament" episodes of Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast. This is where the lore began. You’ll hear about his "Variety Podcast" and his early days in Philly.
- Watch Holly and the Hot Chocolate. If you like absurdist humor, it’s a hidden gem.
Steve Gerben is proof that if you stay in the game long enough and hang out with the right (albeit slightly insane) people, good things happen. He’s not just a part of the "Shane Gillis world"—he’s one of the main reasons that world is so funny to begin with. Keep an eye on him; he’s just getting started.