He sits in the list with other content creators such as Dhar Mann, Markiplier, Charli D’Amelio, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober, Drew Afualo, and MrBeast.
Fil-Canadian content creator John Wayne Dela Cruz, better known online as Nurse John, has been named one of the world’s top digital personalities after ranking No. 28 on Forbes’ Top Creators 2026 list.
He is the only creator of Filipino descent included in this year’s list, which recognizes 50 of the biggest names shaping the global digital space.
Forbes noted that Nurse John has earnings around $7.2 million (₱441.2 million) and 19.2 million followers as he turned his nursing background into a successful comedy career.
“The Canadian nurse-turned-comedian has turned hospital burnout into a multimillion-dollar stand-up career,” it wrote in its citation.
The magazine noted Dela Cruz’s 2024 comedic tour “Short-Staffed,” which sold more than 250,000 tickets, including sold-out runs in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2026, the tour was extended to 22 shows across Europe. He also appeared in “Netflix Is a Joke”, the “New York Comedy Festival”, and “Just for Laughs.”
Originally from Bulacan, Dela Cruz moved to Montreal at the age of 17. He worked as a frontline nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic before turning to content creation full-time.
He first gained attention on TikTok in 2021 after accidentally releasing a video of himself breaking down during a hospital shift. After a six-month break, he began posting relatable videos about his profession—laced with Filipino quips that resonated with audiences worldwide.
This year’s Forbes list is led by YouTube star MrBeast. Other creators recognized include Dhar Mann, Markiplier, Charli D’Amelio, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober, and Drew Afualo.
Forbes said that the list was made by estimating each creator’s gross earnings between March 2025 and March 2026. Influential, an AI-powered influencer marketing company, provided follower counts across social platforms and engagement rates.
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