Trivia

When The Drew Carey Show (1995) wound up being a major surprise success on television, he was given a Porsche by the production company. He purportedly walked out on the stage of the set, asked, "Who here has got the worst car?" When one of the stage hands spoke up and said he didn't have a car, Carey threw him the keys to his old Miata. (source: Esquire magazine).

Is known for being extremely polite and courteous to waiters and staff and leaving tips of well over 100 percent.

He wrote a memoir titled 'Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined' in 2000, which got on The New York Times Bestseller list. In the memoir, he addressed his difficult childhood, which included the tragic loss of his father to a fatal brain tumor when Drew was 8 years old, as well as episodes of sexual abuse at the hands of a member of his extended family. These dark incidents prompted an early onset of depression and Carey twice attempted suicide before the age of 25.

Served in the United States Marine Corps.

Attended and graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School (Cleveland, Ohio) in 1975; he was on the school's marching band. Later attended Kent State University, where he was expelled twice for poor academic performance.

Went on a significant diet and exercise regime in 2010. As a result, he eliminated his type-2 diabetes and lost close to a staggering 100 pounds.

Underwent emergency surgery. Surgeons inserted a stent to open the blocked arteries to his heart. (August 2001)

One of his first appearances was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). Carey credits Carson for helping to launch his career.

Underwent LASIK surgery to correct vision; continues to wear trademark glasses as a prop.

Worked as a bank teller and waiter before becoming a comedian.

Bought his childhood home with his first paycheck from The Drew Carey Show (1995).

(January 8, 1999) Filed $600,000 breach-of-contract suit against A&W restaurant chain when it refused to pay for commercials after an episode of his television series featured competitor McDonald's.

His hand was injured on the set of The Price is Right (1972) when it got jammed in one of the turntable walls.

Carey is the public face and owner of Major Soccer League team Seattle Sounders.

Is a huge fan of the Cleveland Browns. He introduced the team upon the first game of the 1999 season, when the Browns returned to the NFL.

Holds the record for the most money won on the celebrity version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1999) with $532,000 won during two appearances on the show. During his first appearance, he won $500,000, which has been equaled by only two celebrities: Rosie O'Donnell and Norm MacDonald. During his second appearance, he left with $32,000.

Was selected out of 13 finalists to replace Bob Barker as host of The Price is Right (1972), when Barker retired in 2007. At first, Carey turned this down, but when CBS approached him a second time, while negotiating a deal, he accepted it.

Is a WWE Hall of Famer.

Is an avid fan of football (soccer). He says he got into it by playing FIFA and learned the rules ("Soccer for Dummies"), so he could become a "true fan".

Considers the writings of self-help guru Dr. Wayne W. Dyer a major influence in his life.

As a child, he was a huge fan of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Bewitched (1964) and Batman (1966).

A self-professed "computer geek", Carey owns at least 30 computers and more than 10 video game consoles (six PS2s, four XBOXs, etc).

Began his comedy career at age 27 and made his first television appearance at age 34.

Is mentioned in the song "Ohio (Come Back to Texas)" by the rock band Bowling for Soup.

Was the first-ever celebrity to enter WWE's pay-per-view Royal Rumble. He eliminated himself when the next participant, seven-footer Kane (Glenn Jacobs), came out. This became one of WWE's greatest moments in sports entertainment history.

Following riots by Football (Soccer) team fans of the Rangers, and some of the team's players acting in an unsporting manner, he changed his loyalties from Rangers to Celtic saying: "It's still Glasgow, just a little greener and with proper fans.".

Had never watched even a single episode of The All New Truth or Consequences (1950) or The Price is Right (1972), the two shows that were hosted by Bob Barker, so he had to be taught every description of the game after Barker retired.

As a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders, Carey helped establish the only band in Major League Soccer, Sound Wave.

Engaged to Nicole Jaracz, a recent graduate of culinary school, proposed October 9, 2007.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6664 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on February 21, 2003. Appropriately enough, the star of this former Marine is located directly in front of the Supply Sergeant, a Hollywood fixture for decades.

Friends with Steve Harvey.

Received an honorary degree of Humane Letters from Cleveland State University (2000).

In March 2008, Carey became the first U.S. game show host to award a $1 million cash prize on three separate game shows. The first instance occurred on Pepsi Play for a Billion (2003), which aired in September 2003. The second was on the premiere episode of Power of 10 (2007) in August 2007, and the third was won on a prime-time episode of The Price is Right (1972) (Drew's first nighttime episode, March 2008). In addition, a $1 million prize has been awarded in two subsequent episodes of The Price is Right (1972).

Likes "The Sims" series for PC and sparring.

Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character on The Drew Carey Show (1995) and as the second host of The Price is Right (1972).

Competed in the World Wrestling Federation's 30-man Royal Rumble battle royal match on January 21, 2001. He eliminated himself shortly after entering the match as the fifth participant.

Is a member of Delta Tau Delta International fraternity.

Roasted by the New York Friars Club. (October 2002)

Plays the accordion.

Host of the two biggest-money games in television history. In 2003, he hosted Pepsi Play for a Billion (2003), a game show special that offered the ultimate $1 billion prize. In 2007, he became the host of Power of 10 (2007), on which the potential prize is $10 million. Both shows were produced by Michael Davies.

Endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024.