William Henry Green II, better known as Hank Green, is an American internet personality, entrepreneur, author, and activist. Alongside his older brother, John Green (celebrated YA author of titles like The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska), he has become one of the most influential figures in online science communication and digital media.
Before achieving what he jokingly refers to as “being internet famous”, Hank Green earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Eckerd College and a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He initially worked as a web developer and freelance journalist, with his writing appearing in publications like Scientific American, National Geographic, and Planet Green.
Hank and John launched Vlogbrothers in 2007, a YouTube channel that pioneered their format called “brotherhood 2.0”, where they would communicate solely through video blogs for a year and begin each message by saying “Good morning, John” or “Good morning, Hank”, depending on who was recording the message. This unique style of videos laid the foundation for their expansive digital brands under what later became the Complexly production company which include as its main projects Crash Course, an educational series with over 15 million subscribers, SciShow, a science-focused YouTube channel, and Dear Hank & John, a comedic advice podcast with mandatory sections with news about the planet Mars and the third-division soccer team AFC Wimbledon.
What most of these projects have in common is functioning as an extension of Hank’s endeavors as a vocal advocate for science literacy, climate action, and social justice. Through the years, Green has hosted, performed in, and produced thousands of videos and podcasts on a wide variety of topics ranging from arts history, easy explanations of scientific subjects, a video series for navigating college, a website to promote electoral participation, and other didactic materials intended for teachers to use in their classrooms to engage and inspire their students.
Hank’s love of the online community prompted him and his brother to co-found VidCon in 2010, the first and largest convention for online video creators and their fans. They also established the Project for Awesome (P4A), an annual charity event where creators and viewers raise millions for nonprofits through livestreams and crowdfunding.
Beyond digital media, Hank has become a successful sci-fi author. His novels, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) and A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (2020), became New York Times bestsellers, exploring themes of internet fame and misinformation.
A passionate environmentalist, he has supported renewable energy initiatives and criticized corporate greenwashing. He also advocates for LGBT rights, mental health awareness, and affordable healthcare, a cause that became deeply personal after his cancer diagnosis.
Hank revealed in May 2023 that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of treatable blood cancer, and he opted to document his journey very openly, discussing chemotherapy, side effects, and the emotional toll of treatment. Despite his health struggles, he continued working, stating that staying engaged with his projects was vital to his well-being.
His transparency helped de-stigmatize cancer discussions, and in September 2023, he announced he was in remission. He then announced a partnership with streaming service Dropout to debut as a stand-up comic with an hour-long comedy special reflecting on “the good, the bad, and the weird parts of having cancer”.
Hank casually came out as bisexual in a tweet from June 2023, later elaborating in a TikTok video that he saw his sexuality as just one facet of his identity. His low-key approach resonated with many, reinforcing his belief in authenticity without spectacle.
Married to Katherine Green since 2006, Hank balances his public career with family life, often speaking about the challenges and joys of parenting. They met during their college days and married eight years after that.
Whether through entertainment, activism, or personal vulnerability, his work has redefined digital education, online community-building, and science communication; Hank remains a leading voice for curiosity, compassion, and resilience in the internet age. He’s fireless, boldly authentic, and a proud member of the bi community.