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Steve Gerben: Condition, Career & Tires on Netflix

Henry Noah Smith Walker • 2026-06-27 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

If you’ve seen Shane Gillis’s Netflix series Tires, the guy behind the counter — the one perpetually overwhelmed by inventory and customers — is Steve Gerben. A stand-up comedian from Pennsylvania’s Delco region, Gerben has quickly become a familiar face in comedy circles, in part because of a visible hand tremor that has sparked as much curiosity as his writing credits.

Profession: Stand-up comedian, producer, writer, actor ·
Born: 1983 ·
Known for: Tires (2024), Gilly and Keeves (2020) ·
Social media followers: 107,000 (Instagram)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact medical diagnosis for his hand condition
  • Net worth — not publicly verified
  • Full marital details beyond being a father
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • More stand-up and likely more Tires content
  • Potential for expanded comedy specials

Five data points tell the skeleton of Gerben’s story — each one backed by a source, each with its own clarity level.

Label Value
Full Name Steve Gerben
Birth Year 1983
Occupation Comedian, writer, producer, actor
Notable Works Tires (2024), Gilly and Keeves (2020)
Net Worth Not publicly disclosed

What condition does Steve Gerben have?

Understanding the visible symptoms

  • Gerben has a visible hand tremor that fans and interviewers have noted.
  • It does not prevent him from performing or writing.

The most detailed public account comes from a 2024 article that We Got This Covered reported, citing Gerben’s own comments on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast. According to that report, Gerben said he has rheumatoid arthritis and, in a starkly honest moment, quipped: “I would like to have two usable fingers, I do not.”

Public statements from Gerben

  • Gerben has discussed the condition on podcasts like Are You Garbage?
  • He has not issued a formal medical statement or diagnosis.

The pattern: The only on-record description comes from a podcast comment reported by a third-tier outlet. Gerben himself has not posted a clinical diagnosis on his social media or website, leaving the exact nature of his condition unverified.

Is Steve Gerben disabled?

What disability means in context

Disability classification depends on function and legal definition. Gerben has not publicly labeled himself as disabled, and no official disability statement appears in any interview or biography.

How Gerben addresses it in his comedy

  • He has referenced his hands in comedy routines and podcast appearances.
  • His condition is visible on stage, but he does not center his act around it.

Why this matters: For audiences, the line between a medical condition and a disability is fuzzy. Gerben’s own silence on the label means any classification is speculation. The trade-off: his work speaks for itself, and he avoids the baggage of a label that might pigeonhole him.

Is Steve Gerben friends with Shane Gillis?

Professional collaboration

  • Co-creators of Gilly and Keeves (2020) and Tires (2024).
  • Both grew up in the Delaware County (“Delco”) area of Pennsylvania.

Gerben and Gillis have been writing partners for years. Their creative partnership started with online sketches and evolved into a full Netflix series. The Hollywood Reporter confirms they co-created Tires with John McKeever, and Gerben’s real-life background — his father owns an auto shop — became the premise of the show.

Personal friendship evidence

  • Gerben and Gillis appear together in interviews and on each other’s podcasts.
  • They are not related by blood.

The implication: Their bond is built on shared geography, comedy instincts, and years of collaboration. The show’s authenticity — from the tire shop to the regional accents — comes straight from their Delco roots.

How old is Steve Gerben?

Birth year and background

According to Wikipedia, Steve Gerben was born on June 24, 1983, making him 41 years old as of 2025. He grew up in the Tredyffrin/Easttown area near Berwyn, Pennsylvania, attended George Washington University and later Delaware County Community College, though he did not graduate from either.

The catch: Wikipedia is a tier-3 source, and some other outlets like Sportskeeda have suggested fans estimate his age around 35. But the June 1983 date is the most specific public record.

What is Steve Gerben’s net worth?

Earnings from stand-up and streaming

  • No verified net worth figure exists in public records.
  • Estimates are based on his Netflix deal for Tires and stand-up income.

Neither Gerben nor his representatives have disclosed financial details. Without tax documents or a verified statement, any net worth is guesswork.

What this means: The only safe conclusion is that his primary income comes from comedy — touring, writing, and streaming residuals. The exact number remains a blank.

Timeline

The upshot

Gerben’s professional arc — from local Delco stages to a Netflix premiere in under a decade — shows a rapid rise powered by the Shapiro-Gillis network and his own auto-shop authenticity.

  • 1983 — Steve Gerben born in Pennsylvania.
  • 2015Delco Proper released (IMDb).
  • 2020Gilly and Keeves debuts (IMDb).
  • 2024 (May 23)Tires premieres on Netflix (Wikipedia).
  • 2025 (June 5)Tires season 2 released (The Hollywood Reporter).

The pattern: Gerben’s output has accelerated sharply since 2020, with Netflix commissions following within four years.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Born in 1983 in Pennsylvania (Wikipedia)
  • Co-created Tires with Gillis and McKeever (The Hollywood Reporter)
  • Wrote for Gilly and Keeves (IMDb)
  • Father owns the tire shop used as setting (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s unclear

  • Exact medical diagnosis (rumored rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Net worth
  • Marital status details

The implication: The confirmed facts rest on mainstream entertainment coverage, while the gaps reflect Gerben’s own privacy choices.

Quotes from the source

“I would like to have two usable fingers, I do not.”

— Steve Gerben, reported by We Got This Covered

“He’s one of the funniest guys I know — the show wouldn’t work without his perspective.”

— Shane Gillis, on working with Gerben (YouTube interview, 2025)

What to watch

Gerben’s willingness to joke about his hands on podcasts gives audiences a window into his condition, but the lack of a formal diagnosis means the story remains incomplete. His career momentum, however, is not slowing down.

The catch: Without a confirmed diagnosis, every description of his condition relies on secondhand reporting; the most reliable sources are Gerben’s own on-stage references.

Summary

Steve Gerben went from a Delco tire shop to writing a Netflix series about one, all while managing a hand condition that he’s turned into an occasional punchline. For comedians aiming to turn personal quirks into professional assets, the lesson is clear: lean into authenticity, keep the medical details private unless they serve the bit, and let the work — and the collaborator — do the talking.

Fans of the comedy may also enjoy learning about the full cast of the Netflix series Tires, which includes many other talented performers.

Frequently asked questions

Does Steve Gerben perform stand-up regularly?

Yes, he performs stand-up at clubs and venues, often in the Philadelphia area and on the road.

What is Steve Gerben’s most famous role?

Playing Will, the manager at Valley Forge Automotive Center in Netflix’s Tires.

Where is Steve Gerben from?

He grew up in the Tredyffrin/Easttown area near Berwyn, Pennsylvania.

How did Steve Gerben meet Shane Gillis?

They met through the Philadelphia comedy scene and became writing partners, eventually co-creating Gilly and Keeves and Tires.

Is Steve Gerben active on social media?

Yes, he has an Instagram account with more than 107,000 followers where he posts comedy clips and updates.

What is the show Tires about?

It’s a workplace comedy set at a struggling family-owned auto repair shop, loosely based on Gerben’s father’s real tire business.



Henry Noah Smith Walker

About the author

Henry Noah Smith Walker

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.