TikTok star KingBeardX John Crawley dies at 47 after hospitalization; GoFundMe set up for family support
John Crawley, the beloved TikTok personality known as 'KingBeardX,' passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 47. His death was confirmed by his friend and former podcast co-host, Anthony Caruso, who had initiated a GoFundMe campaign earlier this month to assist with Crawley's medical expenses. The campaign was later updated to support funeral costs and aid his family during this difficult time.
John Crawley, under his online persona KingBeardX, had amassed a substantial following, with over 3.5 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. His content, largely focused on comedic reactions, food challenges, and relatable humor, resonated with a wide demographic, making him a household name among social media users.
Born on November 28, 1977, in New Albany, Mississippi, John Crawley gained widespread recognition for his humorous reaction videos on TikTok, where he amassed over 3.5 million followers. His content, often centered around comedic responses to food-related videos, resonated with a diverse audience, earning him a dedicated fan base across multiple platforms, including Instagram and YouTube.
Earlier this month, Crawley experienced severe breathing difficulties and was admitted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his placement in the ICU and the use of a ventilator. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to cardiac arrest on August 18.
At the time of his hospitalization, Crawley did not have health insurance and was the primary breadwinner for his family. This financial strain prompted his friend Anthony Caruso to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses. Following Crawley's passing, the campaign was repurposed to assist with funeral costs and provide support to his mother.
According to Hafi, before his untimely death, Crawley had an estimated annual income ranging from $145,800 to $199,640, primarily from sponsored content and platform earnings across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His estimated monthly earnings were between $15,280 and $20,960, reflecting his significant influence in the digital content creation space.
His obituary, published by Glenfield Funeral Home, highlighted his vibrant personality and the positive influence he had on his audience.
John Crawley, under his online persona KingBeardX, had amassed a substantial following, with over 3.5 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. His content, largely focused on comedic reactions, food challenges, and relatable humor, resonated with a wide demographic, making him a household name among social media users.
Early life and online presence
Born on November 28, 1977, in New Albany, Mississippi, John Crawley gained widespread recognition for his humorous reaction videos on TikTok, where he amassed over 3.5 million followers. His content, often centered around comedic responses to food-related videos, resonated with a diverse audience, earning him a dedicated fan base across multiple platforms, including Instagram and YouTube.
Health struggles and hospitalization
Earlier this month, Crawley experienced severe breathing difficulties and was admitted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his placement in the ICU and the use of a ventilator. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to cardiac arrest on August 18.
Financial challenges and GoFundMe campaign
At the time of his hospitalization, Crawley did not have health insurance and was the primary breadwinner for his family. This financial strain prompted his friend Anthony Caruso to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses. Following Crawley's passing, the campaign was repurposed to assist with funeral costs and provide support to his mother.
Net worth and earnings
According to Hafi, before his untimely death, Crawley had an estimated annual income ranging from $145,800 to $199,640, primarily from sponsored content and platform earnings across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His estimated monthly earnings were between $15,280 and $20,960, reflecting his significant influence in the digital content creation space.
His obituary, published by Glenfield Funeral Home, highlighted his vibrant personality and the positive influence he had on his audience.
