Filipino-Canadian 'Nurse Johnn' enters Forbes Top Creators 2026

A nurse who turned healthcare into comedy is now one of the world’s top digital creators. John dela Cruz, also known as Nurse Johnn, has entered Forbes’ Top Creators 2026 list at No. 28.

Forbes reported that Nurse Johnn has built a massive online presence with about 19.2 million followers across platforms, with estimated earnings of $7.2 million (around ₱441 million) and an entrepreneurship score of 3 out of 4. 

The recognition cast a spotlight on his continued success doing live comedy. His “Short-Staffed Tour,” which began in 2024, has already sold more than 250,000 tickets and expanded internationally due to strong demand, with sold-out shows across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Nurse Johnn also made waves for the show's  Philippine debut at the Mall of Asia Arena in May. He has also performed in major comedy events including “Netflix Is a Joke” and the “New York Comedy Festival.” Outside of touring, he is the creator and co-host of the comedy podcast “I Beg Your Pardon.”

Born and raised in the Philippines, he moved to Canada at 17 and is now based in Los Angeles. Before becoming a full-time comedy content creator, Nurse Johnn worked as a frontline nurse and clinic instructor in Canada.

Netizens first noticed him during the height of the pandemic after he posted short comedy skits about hospital life. It was Nurse Johnn's way of coping with the pressures of healthcare work. 

His content— focused on relatable hospital workers, workplace humor, and everyday nursing experiences— quickly resonated with frontline workers worldwide, helping him grow a following of nearly 17 million before it expanded further. 

Despite his comedy-focused content, the 31-year-old is also recognized for promoting mental health awareness among medical professionals, using his platform to highlight the challenges and resilience of Filipino nurses and frontline healthcare workers around the world.