15 Once-Famous YouTubers Who Disappeared from the Internet

Fame on YouTube can be fleeting, and these 15 once-huge creators vanished without a trace.

Sophia Zapanta
March 18, 2025
5 min read

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YouTube stardom isn’t always forever; some creators rise fast and disappear even faster. Whether due to burnout, scandals, or simply moving on, many YouTubers who once ruled the platform are now nowhere to be found. Let’s dive into 15 once-famous YouTubers who mysteriously faded from the internet.

1. Jenna Marbles

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Jenna Marbles was a YouTube royalty known for her quirky humor and unfiltered personality. After a decade of making millions laugh, she left in 2020 following backlash over past videos. Instead of trying to defend herself, she chose to step away completely. Fans still miss her, but she seems content living a private life.

2. Shane Dawson

Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons

Once one of the biggest YouTubers ever, Shane Dawson’s career took a nosedive after old controversial content resurfaced. Apology videos didn’t save him, and he stopped uploading for long periods. While he tried to make a comeback, his reputation never fully recovered. Now, he mostly stays out of the spotlight.

3. Smosh’s Anthony Padilla

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Anthony Padilla co-founded Smosh, one of YouTube’s first big comedy channels. In 2017, he shocked fans by leaving, citing creative differences. He now focuses on interviews, but Smosh isn’t the same without him. While Smosh still exists, Anthony’s absence changed the channel’s energy.

4. Fred (Lucas Cruikshank)

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Fred was the internet’s first viral superstar, but his high-pitched act got old fast. Lucas Cruikshank, the creator behind Fred, outgrew the character and moved on. Though he tried vlogging under his real name, the magic was gone. These days, he pops up occasionally but is far from his Fred-era fame.

5. Ray William Johnson

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Ray William Johnson ruled early YouTube with Equals Three, a viral video reaction show. He was the most-subscribed creator at his peak, but he left his own show in 2014. He tried making music and other content, but nothing took off like his old channel. While he still posts, he’s nowhere near his former glory.

6. Liza Koshy

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Liza Koshy was YouTube’s queen of funny skits and expressive faces. She stepped away when she started focusing on acting and hosting big TV gigs. Her YouTube uploads slowed to almost nothing, leaving fans wondering if she’d ever return. Her online presence still exists, but her channel is a ghost town.

7. Onision (Greg Jackson)

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Onision’s YouTube downfall was a slow-motion disaster. His career tanked after years of scandals, accusations, and bizarre behavior. As platforms distanced themselves from him, his audience shrank dramatically. Now, he barely posts and is mainly remembered for controversy.

8. Grace Helbig

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Grace Helbig was a YouTube OG known for her awkward humor and witty commentary. She gradually faded from the platform as new creators took over. Though she still works in media, her YouTube presence is nearly nonexistent. The internet changed, and she quietly stepped aside.

9. Filthy Frank (Joji)

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Filthy Frank’s chaotic, offensive humor made him a cult favorite, but Joji (his real name) had other plans. He dropped the character, left YouTube, and became a successful musician. His fans begged for more Filthy Frank, but he never looked back. Now, he’s making hit songs instead of edgy skits.

10. Tobuscus (Toby Turner)

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Toby Turner was a huge gaming and comedy YouTuber until his career crashed amid serious allegations. Though he denied them, his reputation never recovered. His uploads slowed, his audience dwindled, and he faded into obscurity. These days, few people remember his once-iconic status.

11. Michelle Phan

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Michelle Phan built a beauty empire, then vanished from YouTube at her peak. She left in 2017, citing creative burnout and a desire to explore other ventures. Though she’s still involved in the beauty world, she rarely posts videos anymore. Her disappearance left a gap in the beauty community.

12. The Fine Bros

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The Fine Bros were known for their React series, but they ruined their own success. They tried trademarking the word “React,” and the internet turned against them. Their channel lost millions of subscribers, and while they still exist, they’re a shadow of what they once were. Their attempt at business domination backfired spectacularly.

13. iJustine

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YouTuber iJustine was one of YouTube’s earliest tech influencers, but her presence has shrunk over time. While she still posts, she’s no longer the go-to tech personality. Other creators have taken her spot, and her once-loyal audience has moved on. She’s still around, just much quieter than before.

14. Vsauce’s Michael Stevens

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Vsauce’s Michael Stevens made science fun, but his uploads became rare over the years. He shifted focus to other projects, leaving fans wondering if he’d ever return regularly. While his channel still has legendary content, new videos are few and far between. He’s still a genius, just less active on YouTube.

15. Nigahiga (Ryan Higa)

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Ryan Higa was one of YouTube’s original comedy kings but gradually stopped posting. He prioritized other projects and his personal life, making YouTube less of a focus. While he occasionally returns, his uploads are rare compared to his peak. His fans still hope for a full comeback, but it seems unlikely.