Filipino-Canadian Nurse Builds $7.2 Million Empire, Lands on Forbes Top Creators List
Filipino-Canadian nurse and comedian John Dela Cruz, widely known online as Nurse John, has reached a major career milestone after securing a spot on Forbes’ Top Creators 2026 list.
Ranked No. 28 globally, Nurse John joins some of the biggest names in digital entertainment after building a massive following through his relatable, humorous takes on nursing life. According to reports, he has grown his audience to over 19 million followers and earned an estimated $7.2 million through content creation and live comedy.
Born in the Philippines and based in Canada, Nurse John first gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, using comedy as an outlet to cope with the emotional and mental strain of frontline nursing. His skits quickly resonated with healthcare workers worldwide, shining a spotlight on burnout, understaffing, and the hidden struggles nurses face daily.
What started as short social media videos has now evolved into a global comedy empire. His “Short-Staffed Tour” has sold over 250,000 tickets, with sold-out shows across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
For many nurses, his success is bigger than entertainment — it’s representation. In a profession often overlooked, Nurse John has turned the realities of healthcare into a global conversation, proving that nurses’ voices matter far beyond the bedside.
