Nate Bargatze Explains Why Clean Comedy Makes Him More Creative Ahead of ‘The Breadwinner’ Release

As he prepares for the theatrical release of his first feature film, The Breadwinner, comedian Nate Bargatze is opening up about why he has built one of the most successful careers in comedy without relying on profanity.

During a recent appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Bargatze discussed the creative advantages of clean comedy and explained why avoiding foul language has helped shape his unique style. The conversation comes as Bargatze continues a remarkable run of success that saw him lead the highest-grossing comedy tour of 2024 while expanding into film production and family entertainment.

Bargatze, who grew up in a Christian home in Nashville and has often spoken about his faith, told Von that not using profanity actually creates more opportunities for creativity.

"You can get away with a lot more when you don't curse," Bargatze explained, noting that audiences often immediately categorize comedians as "dirty" once strong language enters the act. Instead, he believes comedians can explore the same subjects while approaching them from different and often more inventive angles.

Reflecting on the early days of his career, Bargatze contrasted today's comedy landscape with the environment he entered years ago. While many younger comics build audiences online before landing major streaming specials, he said earlier generations faced more restrictions on what could be said publicly.

"You couldn't say whatever you wanted to say," Bargatze explained. "That's not a bad thing. That means you have to be creative in a scenario and come at stuff in different angles."

Von admitted that profanity is a natural part of his everyday speech and said he would like to reach a point where he doesn't need to rely on it. Bargatze, however, emphasized that every comedian must find his own voice, encouraging Von to pursue whatever approach feels authentic.

The discussion also touched on family audiences, something that has become a hallmark of Bargatze's career. While he insists he does not specifically write material for children, he appreciates that families can attend his shows together without worrying about inappropriate content. Young audience members may not understand every joke, he noted, but they still enjoy being part of an event designed primarily for adults.

That philosophy carries over into The Breadwinner, which arrives in theaters on May 29. The PG-rated comedy stars Bargatze alongside Mandy Moore and Colin Jost. According to Bargatze, one of his goals was to create a live-action family film at a time when much of Hollywood's family entertainment is dominated by animation, superhero franchises, and horror movies.

For Bargatze, whose faith has remained a consistent influence throughout his career, the project represents another step in his effort to create entertainment that brings generations together. As his comedy empire continues to grow through stand-up, books, film projects, and even plans for a Nateland-themed amusement park, the comedian remains convinced that clean comedy is not a limitation but a creative advantage.

That approach has helped turn Bargatze into one of America's most popular comedians-and, increasingly, one of its most influential voices in family-friendly entertainment.