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Rob Dyrdek

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Rob Dyrdek
Dyrdek in 2017
Born
Robert Stanley Dyrdek

(1974-06-28) June 28, 1974 (age 51)[1]
Kettering, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations
  • Skateboarder
  • actor
  • entrepreneur
  • producer
  • television personality
Years active1991–present
Television
Spouse
Bryiana Noelle Flores
​
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Sports career
SportSkateboarding
Turned pro1991 (age 16)[2]
Websitedyrdek.com

Robert Stanley Dyrdek (born June 28, 1974) is an American entrepreneur, actor, producer, reality TV personality, and former professional skateboarder. He is best known for his roles in the reality shows Rob & Big,[3][4] Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory[5][6] and Ridiculousness.[7][8] He also is the creator of the animated series Wild Grinders, in which he voices the series' main character, Lil Rob. In 2014, Dyrdek was labeled as one of the "most influential skateboarders of all-time" by FoxWeekly.[9]

Early life

Dyrdek was born on June 28, 1974,[10] in Kettering, Ohio, to Gene and Patty Dyrdek.[11][12] He was involved in sports as a child and began skateboarding at the age of 11.[13] Of his early interest in the sport, Dyrdek has stated, "I was so focused on becoming a pro skateboarder. I would sit in school and think about all the tricks I was going to do, then I'd get out of school and skate until they made me come inside."[14] Dyrdek attended Fairmont High School in Kettering.[11]

Career

At the age of 11, Dyrdek earned a sponsorship to represent Surf Ohio, a local skate shop in Dayton, Ohio. He began competing at age 12. Gordon and Smith Skateboard Company (G&S), a national brand, began sponsoring him around that time. In July 1989 at age 15, Dyrdek placed first at a National Skateboard Association North Central District competition.[11][15] At the age of 16, he decided to forgo his senior year of high school and instead moved to Southern California to continue his professional skate career.[16][17] He officially turned pro in 1991, competing at the Skateboard World Cup in Germany and placing fifth.[11] He also appeared in the Alien Workshop skate video, Memory Screen, that year.[18] Alien Workshop, a Dayton, Ohio-based skateboarding company, began sponsoring Dyrdek at that time.[19] The company began producing signature Dyrdek skateboards soon after the endorsement.[20] Dyrdek also founded his own skateboard accessory company, Orion Trucks, at age 17.[21]

By 1995, Dyrdek was competing at events and performing at exhibitions throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.[19] Around that time, Droors Clothing, which later became known as DC Shoes, began sponsoring Dyrdek. During 1995, he launched his first signature shoe (the RD 1) with DC,[11][22] beginning a 20-year partnership that included 29 signature shoes.[23] In 1999, Dyrdek expanded into the business world by founding Dyrdek Enterprises.[24]

In 2000, Dyrdek placed sixth in park skating at that year's X Games in San Francisco.[25] In 2003, he founded Silver Trucks, a skateboarding accessories company.[26] In 2005, he drafted, designed, developed, and raised funding for the world's first skate plaza, the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza, in his hometown of Kettering. The park emphasized elements of street skateboarding, incorporating urban artifacts like stairs, ledges, planters, and railings. It was the first project funded by the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation.[27][28]

Dyrdek in 2010

In November 2006,[29] the MTV reality series Rob & Big premiered, which starred Dyrdek and his best friend and bodyguard, Christopher "Big Black" Boykin,[30] as well as his cousin, Chris "Drama" Pfaff, and friend, Rashawn "Bam Bam" Davis.[31] It was born from a skit Dyrdek wrote for a 2003 DC Shoes video, The DC Video. In the skit, he hired Boykin as a bodyguard for protection from security guards while filming street skating videos. The show featured instances of these interactions along with other facets of Dyrdek's daily life.[29][32] As part of Rob & Big in 2007, Dyrdek set 21 skating world records in one day, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.[33] Some of these included the longest board slide—100 feet 5.75 inches (30.6261 m)—,[34] the highest skateboard ramp jump into water—10 feet 8 inches (3.25 m)—,[35] and the most nollie kickflips in one minute (22).[36] The series ended its run in April 2008 after three seasons.[31]

In February 2009, Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, featuring Dyrdek, Pfaff, and his Dyrdek Enterprise staff, was first broadcast. It covered Dyrdek's "Fantasy Factory", a converted warehouse where Dyrdek runs his businesses.[37] He also built a recording studio for Pfaff inside the factory.[38] During the course of the first season, he opened his first SafeSpot SkateSpot.[39] At the grand-opening, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rode with Dyrdek on the world's largest skateboard.[40] Fantasy Factory aired a total of seven seasons, with the season finale airing on March 13, 2014. On that final episode, Dyrdek set the Guinness World Record for the longest reverse ramp jump by a car at 89 feet, 3.25 inches.[41] The show mainly featured a cast of Dyrdek, Chris Pfaff, Boykin, Scott Pfaff, Chanel West Coast, and Sterling "Steelo" Brim.[42] Episodes featured Dyrdek being bitten by a shark[43] and attacked by a trained tiger.[44] Other stunts included the first kickflip with a Chevrolet Sonic, filmed as a part of a television advertisement for Chevrolet.[45] He co-invented the first "skateboard car," a customized Ford Mustang which appeared on the show.[46]

In a 2009 episode of Fantasy Factory, Dyrdek purchased a racehorse with Joe Ciagla, Jr. and jockeyed it in its first race. The horse, named Mega Heat, won the race with Dyrdek as the jockey. He would go on to own as many as 13 horses at one time, some of which raced in Breeders' Cup events.[47][48]

In 2010, Dyrdek launched Street League Skateboarding (SLS), a professional skateboarding competition series.[49] The league offered the highest overall purse in the history of the sport ($1.6 million) for its championship event in 2012, which was broadcast on ESPN in 198 countries.[50] The league also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to develop new skate parks in California.[12] The organization was the focus of Dyrdek's 2013 documentary film The Motivation, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.[51] SLS has expanded into a global series with events throughout the world.[52]

In 2011, Dyrdek appeared in Jackass 3.5 in a scene with Johnny Knoxville.[53] Later that year, on August 29, 2011, Dyrdek started another show with the MTV network, Ridiculousness, where he comments on internet videos that are mainly mishaps.[54] Dyrdek hosts this show alongside friends Chanel West Coast and Steelo Brim.[55] Since 2020, MTV has devoted most of its programming schedule to Ridiculousness.

In 2012, Dyrdek was on the TV show Punk'd—Justin Bieber tried to execute a prank on Dyrdek and failed.[56] Dyrdek was also featured in the 2012 documentary, Waiting for Lightning, about his friend and fellow skater Danny Way.[57]

Through his production company Superjacket Productions he has produced Ridiculousness; as well as the CMT series The Dude Perfect Show,[58] based upon the work of the eponymous Internet video comedy troupe;[59] Crashletes and Jagger Eaton's Mega Life on Nickelodeon;[60] and Snack-Off.[61] In 2017, Dyrdek served as a judge for the talent show series Amazingness. His production company produced the show.[62]

Dyrdek also appears in Jackass Forever (2022),[63] and Jackass 4.5 (2022).

World records

Dyrdek set twenty-one separate Guinness World Records for skateboarding as part of his former show Rob & Big. Big Black also set two eating records on the show: most bananas eaten in one minute and the most powdered donuts eaten in three minutes.[64]

As part of the Fantasy Factory series, Dyrdek set the record for the largest skateboard (according to the Guinness World Records website, it is listed as the "Longest Skateboard in the World"). However, the World Records Academy website reports this record was broken in 2010.[65]

Dyrdek's personal bests—some of which have since been surpassed—include:

  • Longest board slide: 100 feet 5.75 inches (30.6261 m) (2007, WR)[66]
  • Highest skateboard ramp jump into water: 10 feet 8 inches (3.25 m) (2007, WR)[67]
  • Farthest reverse ramp jump by a car: 89 feet 3.25 inches (27.2098 m) (2014, WR)[68]

Business career

Dyrdek's first business was Orion Trucks. During his time with DC, Dyrdek began his exploration of entrepreneurship through shoe design and this led Dyrdek to launch various short-lived companies, including a hip hop record label and a skate shop.[69] Dyrdek's properties have included Wild Grinders (an animated series on the Nickelodeon network)[70] and Street League Skateboarding (SLS).[71] In addition, Dyrdek has partnerships with various brands, including Rogue Status (with musician Travis Barker).[72]

Wild Grinders was a fictional animated skate crew and toy set.[73] Dyrdek is also the founder of the business incubator Dyrdek Machine[74] and acquired DNA Distribution, the holding company of Alien Workshop, before selling it back to its founders.[50] Dyrdek is also an investor in UFC,[75] Beach Whiskey (where he also serves on the advisory board),[76] Beatbox Beverages,[77] and Stance.[78] In 2017 Dyrdek became a co-founder of Black Feather Whiskey.[79] Dyrdek is also a co-founder and board member of Ultracast,[80] which has partnered with NASCAR to produce live 360 virtual reality broadcasts.[81]

Personal life

Dyrdek has one sister. His cousins Christopher "Drama" Pfaff and Scott "Big Cat" Pfaff are featured in Rob and Big and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory.[82] He also has two bulldogs named Meaty and Beefy, and a Pomeranian named Gretchen Weiner.[72] Dyrdek became an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church in order to perform his sister's wedding in December 2011.[83] The ceremony, which was featured in an episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, took place at the Fantasy Factory in Los Angeles. He became engaged to his girlfriend, Filipino–American model Bryiana Noelle Flores, after proposing to her at Disneyland. They married and have two children.[84][85][86]

References

  1. ^ "Rob and Big " Cast " Rob". MTV. Viacom International Inc. 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  2. ^ Kat Noel (December 14, 2006). "Rob Dyrdek On Pro Skateboarding". Forbes. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  3. ^ Neal J. Leitereg (August 16, 2012). "Mini Horse Not Included: MTV's Rob and Big Home Lists in LA (PHOTOS)". Realtor.com. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  4. ^ Fetus (May 5, 2010). "Big Black vs Rob Dyrdek?! Ego Problems?! Should MTV Give Black His Own Show? Vote Now!". radioplanet.tv. radioplanet.tv. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  5. ^ Brandi Albahary (2013). "SHOWS Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory". MTV Press. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  6. ^ hollywoodtv (September 25, 2012). "Rob Dyrdek parties at the Fantasy Factory - Hollywood.TV" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  7. ^ Philiana Ng (September 10, 2012). "MTV Renews Rob Dyrdek's 'Ridiculousness' for Third Season". Hollywood Reporter. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  8. ^ Lynn Hoppes (2013). "Rob Dyrdek Talks Differences of Show with 'Tosh.o'". ESPN Page 2. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  9. ^ Joey Betancourt-Florez (February 15, 2014). "Top 15 'Most Influential' Skateboarders of All-Time". Sports. Fox Weekly. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  10. ^ "UPI Almanac for Monday, June 28, 2021". United Press International. June 28, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e Lynch, Greg; Archdeacon, Tom (August 22, 2022). "How Kettering native Rob Dyrdek made it big starting with a Christmas skateboard". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Sullivan, James (October 3, 2014). "Rob Dyrdek's TV Empire of Fun". Men's Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Elliott, Bryan (February 16, 2022). "Behind the Brand With Rob Dyrdek". Inc. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  14. ^ azTeen (August 2010). "ROB DYRDEK AND HIS LATEST CREATION COME TO THE VALLEY". azTeen Magazine. azTeen Magazine. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  15. ^ Lesnik, Jon (July 6, 1989). "District champ is chairman of the board". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  16. ^ "America's Skateboarding Entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek Ties the Knot - College News". collegenews.com.
  17. ^ Welty, Matt (October 28, 2021). "How Rob Dyrdek Built His Mega Fortune Off Sneakers". Complex. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "Five Favorite Parts With The Chrome Ball Incident". Quarter Snacks. August 16, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Dillon, Jim (September 3, 1995). "He's a pro skateboarder". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  20. ^ Archdeacon, Tom (September 8, 2004). "Dyrdek a skateboarding star". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
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  22. ^ Bengtson, Russ (May 20, 2013). "The 30 Best Signature Skate Shoes of All Time". Complex. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  23. ^ Pursell, Robert (January 14, 2016). "DC Shoes and Rob Dyrdek to part ways". Men's Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
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  28. ^ Dardick, Hal (April 17, 2005). "To skateboarders, Chicago plaza would be sweet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
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  30. ^ Ignelzi, Lenny (April 15, 2016). "MTV skateboard into reality". The Desert Sun. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
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  36. ^ "Most skateboard nollie kickflips in one minute". Guinness Book of World Records. September 17, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  37. ^ Terrace, Vincent (August 30, 2010). The Year in Television, 2009: A Catalog of New and Continuing Series, Miniseries, Specials and TV Movies. McFarland. ISBN 9780786456444 – via Google Books.
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  40. ^ Wilson, Bernie (December 17, 2009). "Dyrdek unveils latest skate park". Boston.com – via The Boston Globe.
  41. ^ Janela, Mike (February 14, 2014). "Video: Rob Dyrdek sets reverse car jump record". Guinness World Records. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  42. ^ "Counting Down YOUR Top Five Picks For Best-Ever 'Fantasy Factory' Episodes".
  43. ^ "'I Escaped Jaws': Real Shark Attack Survivors Share Their Harrowing Stories (VIDEO)". August 7, 2013 – via Huff Post.
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  45. ^ "Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek kick-flips a Chevrolet Sonic for ad". December 18, 2011.
  46. ^ "Video: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Rob Dyrdek create world's first skateboard car".
  47. ^ Novak, Claire (November 4, 2011). "Dyrdek hopes lucky shoes bring title". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  48. ^ Young, Brad (September 26, 2014). "NFL's Jackson, MTV's Dyrdek on horse racing's thrilling athleticism". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  49. ^ Testa, Jessica (August 25, 2010). "Street League pro skaters will open tour in Glendale". Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  50. ^ a b Jessop, Alicia. "Rob Dyrdek Expands Entrepreneurial Reach To Present Largest Winning Purse In Skateboarding History".
  51. ^ "Questions and Answers From Tribeca: Rob Dyrdek".
  52. ^ Gillen, Nancy (January 12, 2019). "Finalists decided for Street League Skateboarding World Championships". Inside the Games. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  53. ^ "TV host's awesome wedding proposal". April 28, 2015.
  54. ^ 6/29/11. "Ridiculousness | Trailer | Video". MTV. Retrieved January 8, 2013. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)
  55. ^ Patten, Dominic (September 10, 2012). "MTV Renews 'Ridiculousness' For Third Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  56. ^ The Hollywood Reporter (March 21, 2012). "Rob Dyrdek on Getting Punk'd by Justin Bieber" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  57. ^ "Thrasher Magazine - Waiting For Lightning: Dyrdek Bonus Cut". thrashermagazine.com.
  58. ^ "Dude Perfect Series Coming to CMT".
  59. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (September 3, 2015). "CMT Greenlights Series for Viral Sensation Comedy Group 'Dude Perfect'".
  60. ^ "Jagger Eaton's Mega Life - License! Global". licensemag.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  61. ^ Weigle, Lauren (July 10, 2014). "'Snack-Off': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know".
  62. ^ Petski, Denise (November 9, 2017). "MTV Confirms 'Amazingness' Talent Competition Show With Rob Dyrdek".
  63. ^ "Jackass Forever Trailer". YouTube. July 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
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  66. ^ "Longest board slide on a skateboard". Guinness World Records. September 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  67. ^ "Highest skateboard ramp jump into water". Guinness World Records. September 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  68. ^ "Video: Rob Dyrdek sets reverse car jump record". Guinness World Records. February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  69. ^ "How I Did It: Rob Dyrdek". Mansueto Ventures LLC. 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  70. ^ "Rob Dyrdek's Wild Grinders". Wild Grinders. Nickelodeon. March 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  71. ^ TWS (March 13, 2013). "STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING 2013 WORLD TOUR EXPANSION". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  72. ^ a b "Bio". Dyrdek.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  73. ^ "Rob Dyrdek Interview". ESPN.com. June 4, 2009.
  74. ^ Roof, Katie. "Tony Hawk, Rob Dyrdek tell us why skateboarders make good startup investors".
  75. ^ "UFC releases list of 23 new celebrity owners – and it includes a bunch of friends of the program". September 30, 2016.
  76. ^ "Whiskey Maker Beach Whiskey Closes $7.5M Series A Funding Round". May 26, 2016.
  77. ^ Ho, Ky Trang. "BeatBox Beverages - pg.3". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017.
  78. ^ Chapman, Lizette (March 5, 2015). "Luxury-Socks Startup Stance Raises $50M to Expand Into Underwear". Wall Street Journal.
  79. ^ "MTV's Rob Dyrdek Co-Founds Black Feather Whiskey - BevNET.com". BevNET.com. August 23, 2017.
  80. ^ "Rob Dyrdek Announces Venture Studio". SGB Media. September 19, 2017.
  81. ^ "NASCAR debuts Live VR, 360 video for fans from Homestead-Miami Speedway". NASCAR. November 14, 2017.
  82. ^ "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory - Episode : This Is Not Mom-Certified - Video, Photos - MTV". September 3, 2009. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  83. ^ "Rob Dyrdek Becomes a Minister, Marries Sister on MTV's Fantasy Factory". Prweb.com. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  84. ^ "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory Ep. 506 | Full Scale, Full-Fledged, Certified Minister | Episode Summary, Video, Photos". MTV. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  85. ^ "Rob Dyrdek, Wife Bryiana Dyrdek Welcome Baby Boy". September 11, 2016.
  86. ^ "Rob Dyrdek and Wife Bryiana Welcome Second Child". MTV. December 29, 2017.
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