Who is Tony Robbins? 5 things to know about the self-help guru

From appearances in cult favorite films like “Shallow Hal” to his numerous television appearances, Tony Robbins has been a familiar face in media that beckons transformation and self-improvement.

Robbins, 59, hosts dozens of seminars on things like "emotional mastery" across the country and the world. Earlier this year, Buzzfeed shone a spotlight on the self-help guru's alleged treatment of seminar audience members and some of his employees. In the article "Unlimited Power," Buzzfeed investigated claims of sexual harassment from employees and emotional abuse of former audience members. On Friday, the publication released its sixth installment in the series detailing an incident where Robbins is accused of kissing and groping a teenage girl. Robbins has denied the claims.

If you’re not familiar with the celebrity speaker, here are a few things to know about Robbins.

He got into motivational speaking as a teenager.

Robbins was born Anthony J. Mahavoric in North Hollywood, California. When he was 12, his mother married Jim Robbins, who later adopted him. Tony Robbins began promoting seminars by author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn when Robbins was 17, according to the book “Anthony Robbins: A true motivational life.” By 1988, he had released his first infomercial, “Personal Power,” to promote his services as a “peak performance coach.”

He holds “coaching camps” across the country.

His multiday camps are dubbed the Robbins-Madanes Trainings.

“We believe that it takes a community to make an individual coach succeed,” a website statement reads. “As an RMT student you will get a community of Master Teachers, fellow students, and expert advisers. We will be your guides, inspiration, your friends, your colleagues and your bouncing board as you learn cutting-edge strategies for creating positive changes in yourself and others.”

He is reportedly worth $500 million.

According to Wealthy Gorilla's 2019 profile, Robbins' net worth is $500 million. He acquired that wealth through his programs like Unleash The Power Within, with tickets ranging from $650 to $2,995; books and speaking engagements.

He has appeared on several television programs and podcasts, including “Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations.”

Robbins has made appearances on several daytime talk shows over the past 30 years. In 2017, he and his wife spoke to Oprah Winfrey about marriage and overcoming suffering for an episode of her podcast "Super Soul Conversations."

He claims to have revolutionized millions of lives with this philosophy, while building a multibillion-dollar business and working with celebrities from Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and the Kardashians. Access to his most exclusive membership training program costs as much as $85,000 a year.

Robbins was featured in an episode of “Family Guy.”

In episode 22 of Season 3 of the show, Lois drags Peter to self empowerment seminar hosted by the animated version of Tony Robbins.  When Tony becomes uncomfortable in his insistence on helping, Peter and Lois try to leave, but Tony follows them out to the car where he is struck by lighting, although his body vanishes, according to "Family Guy" fan site www.familyguy.fandom.com.