Rob Dyrdek
Dyrdek in 2017
Born
Robert Stanley Dyrdek

(1974-06-28) June 28, 1974
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)
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 MTV reality and variety shows Rob & Big, Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, and Ridiculousness. In addition to his television ventures, Dyrdek is a serial entrepreneur, founding several businesses through his venture studio, Dyrdek Machine, including Street League Skateboarding and Superjacket Productions (now Thrill One Media).

Early life

Dyrdek was born on June 28, 1974,[1] in Kettering, Ohio, to Gene and Patty Dyrdek.[2][3] He was involved in sports as a child and began skateboarding at the age of 11.[4] 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."[5] Dyrdek attended Fairmont High School in Kettering.[2]

Career

1986–2005: Professional skateboarding and early business ventures

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.[2][6] 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.[7][8] He officially turned pro in 1991, competing at the Skateboard World Cup in Germany and placing fifth.[2] He also appeared in the Alien Workshop skate video, Memory Screen, that year.[9] Alien Workshop, a Dayton, Ohio-based skateboarding company, began sponsoring Dyrdek at that time.[10] The company began producing signature Dyrdek skateboards soon after the endorsement.[11] Dyrdek also founded his own skateboard accessory company, Orion Trucks, at age 17.[12]

By 1995, Dyrdek was competing at events and performing at exhibitions throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.[10] 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,[2][13] beginning a 20-year partnership that included 29 signature shoes.[14] In 1999, Dyrdek expanded into the business world by founding Dyrdek Enterprises.[15]

In 2000, Dyrdek placed sixth in park skating at that year's X Games in San Francisco.[16] In 2003, he founded Silver Trucks, a skateboarding accessories company.[17] 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.[18][19]

2006–2009: MTV reality series

Dyrdek in 2010

In November 2006,[20] the MTV reality series Rob & Big premiered, which starred Dyrdek and his best friend and bodyguard, Christopher "Big Black" Boykin,[21] as well as his cousin, Chris "Drama" Pfaff, and friend, Rashawn "Bam Bam" Davis.[22] 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.[20][23] As part of Rob & Big in 2007, Dyrdek set 21 skating world records in one day, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.[24] Some of these included the longest board slide—100 feet 5.75 inches (30.6261 m)—,[25] the highest skateboard ramp jump into water—10 feet 8 inches (3.25 m)—,[26] and the most nollie kickflips in one minute (22).[27] The series ended its run in April 2008 after three seasons.[22]

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.[28] He also built a recording studio for Pfaff inside the factory.[29] During the course of the first season, he opened his first SafeSpot SkateSpot.[30] At the grand-opening, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rode with Dyrdek on the world's largest skateboard.[31] 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.[32] The show mainly featured a cast of Dyrdek, Chris Pfaff, Boykin, Scott Pfaff, Chanel West Coast, and Sterling "Steelo" Brim.[33] Episodes featured Dyrdek being bitten by a shark[34] and attacked by a trained tiger.[35] Other stunts included the first kickflip with a Chevrolet Sonic, filmed as a part of a television advertisement for Chevrolet.[36] He co-invented the first "skateboard car," a customized Ford Mustang which appeared on the show.[37]

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.[38][39]

2010–2016: Creation of Street League Skateboarding, Ridiculousness, and other TV series

In 2010, Dyrdek launched Street League Skateboarding (SLS), a professional skateboarding competition series.[40] 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.[41] The league also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to develop new skate parks in California.[3] The organization was the focus of Dyrdek's 2013 documentary film The Motivation, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.[42] SLS has expanded into a global series with events throughout the world.[43]

On August 29, 2011, Dyrdek's third MTV series, Ridiculousness, premiered.[44] The show, which is filmed in front of a studio audience, is hosted by Dyrdek alongside friends Chanel West Coast and Steelo Brim. In addition to occasional guests, the three primarily comment on popular internet videos that are often mishaps.[45][46] By 2020, MTV had devoted most of its programming schedule to Ridiculousness.[47] In April 2012, Dyrdek's Wild Grinders animated television series premiered on Nicktoons. Dyrdek created and produced the show and also provided the voice of Lil' Rob. The characters are based on a line of toys designed by Dyrdek.[48][49]

Also in 2012, Dyrdek Enterprises acquired DNA Distribution, the holding company for his original skateboarding sponsor brand, Alien Workshop, and other brands including Habitat and Reflex.[15] DNA Distribution was later acquired by Pacific Vector Holdings in October 2013.[50] In 2014, Dyrdek and his production company Superjacket Productions agreed to a multi-year deal with MTV to continue producing Ridiculousness and a final season of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. That year, the Dyrdek-produced cooking competition series, Snack-Off, also premiered on MTV.[51]

As part of Superjacket Productions, Dyrdek would go on to create and produce a number of new series. In 2016, two Dyrdek-produced shows, Jagger Eaton's Mega Life and Crashletes, premiered on Nickelodeon.[52] He also produced The Dude Perfect Show, which premiered on CMT in 2016 and was moved to Nickelodeon for its second season in 2017.[53]

2016–present: Entrepreneurship with Dyrdek Machine and Thrill One

In 2016, he founded the Dyrdek Machine, a business investment firm and incubator (described by Dyrdek as a "venture studio") that targets startups. He had previously operated as a serial entrepreneur while also investing independently in various companies,[4][54] including UFC[55] and the clothing brand, Stance.[56] Under Dyrdek Machine, he has co-founded, funded, and developed Lusso Cloud,[57] Mindright (with Travis Barker and Joe Jonas),[58] Outstanding Foods,[59] Leisuretown (with Diplo),[60] Momentous,[61] Deon Libra, Jolie,[62] and Black Feather Whiskey (with Travis Pastrana).[63] By 2022, he had co-founded or partnered with a total of 18 brands through the Dyrdek Machine, five of which had been acquired by outside investors.[12]

Dyrdek also continued creating television series through Superjacket Productions. In 2017, he produced a Ridiculousness spin-off for MTV, entitled Amazingness. The show was a variety talent competition hosted by Dyrdek.[64] In 2020, The Raine Group and Causeway Media Partners provided the venture capital backing to form Thrill One Sports & Entertainment after a merger of Nitro Circus and two Dyrdek-created entities: Street League Skateboarding and Superjacket Productions. All three companies became subsidiaries of Thrill One at that time.[65][66] Later that year, Dyrdek and Superjacket produced another Ridiculousness spin-off for MTV called Deliciousness, a food-based clip show hosted by Tiffani Thiessen.[66] Superjacket Productions became known as Thrill One Media in 2021.[67] Two more Ridiculousness spin-offs premiered that year in Messyness and Adorableness with Dyrdek as executive producer.[68][69]

In 2021, Dyrdek started the business-focused podcast, Build with Rob.[70] That year, he also founded the Do-Or-Dier Visionary Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at providing entrepreneurship opportunities to underrepresented youth.[71] In July 2022, Fiume Capital and Juggernaut Capital Partners acquired Thrill One Sports & Entertainment for $300 million. Through the Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek provided additional investment capital in Thrill One at the time.[72]

Personal life

Dyrdek has one sister. Dyrdek became an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church in order to perform his sister's wedding in December 2011.[73] 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, model Bryiana Noelle Flores, after proposing to her at Disneyland. They are married and have two children.[74][75][76]

Filmography

Film

List of selected film roles
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Memory Screen Self Skate video
2008 Righteous Kill Rambo
2009 Street Dreams Troy Executive producer and writer
2012 We Are Skateboarders Self Documentary
Waiting for Lightning Self Documentary
Nitro Circus: The Movie Self Documentary
2013 The Motivation Self Documentary; producer
2015 Sneakerheadz Self Documentary
2017 Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine Self Documentary
2022 Jackass Forever Self

Television

List of selected television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2006–2008 Rob & Big Self Co-creator and producer
2009 Nitro Circus Self 3 episodes
2009–2014 Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory Self Creator and producer
2010 MTV's Ultimate Parkour Challenge Self Executive producer
2011–present Ridiculousness Self (host) Creator and producer
2012 Punk'd Self 2 episodes
2012–2015 Wild Grinders Lil' Rob / Gene Animated series; creator, writer, and executive producer
2013 MTV Cribs Self Episode 12.1: "Retro Cribs"
2014 Snack-Off — Creator, executive producer
2016–2017 Jagger Eaton's Mega Life — Creator, executive producer
Crashletes — Creator, executive producer
2016–2018 The Dude Perfect Show — Executive producer
2017–2018 Amazingness Self Creator, executive producer
2020–present Deliciousness Self Creator, executive producer
2021–present Adorableness — Creator, executive producer
Messyness — Creator, executive producer

References

  1. ↑ "UPI Almanac for Monday, June 28, 2021". United Press International. June 28, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  3. 1 2 Sullivan, James (October 3, 2014). "Rob Dyrdek's TV Empire of Fun". Men's Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Elliott, Bryan (February 16, 2022). "Behind the Brand With Rob Dyrdek". Inc. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ azTeen (August 2010). "ROB DYRDEK AND HIS LATEST CREATION COME TO THE VALLEY". azTeen Magazine. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  6. ↑ Lesnik, Jon (July 6, 1989). "District champ is chairman of the board". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ "America's Skateboarding Entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek Ties the Knot - College News". collegenews.com. September 19, 2015.
  8. ↑ Welty, Matt (October 28, 2021). "How Rob Dyrdek Built His Mega Fortune Off Sneakers". Complex. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Five Favorite Parts With The Chrome Ball Incident". Quarter Snacks. August 16, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Dillon, Jim (September 3, 1995). "He's a pro skateboarder". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  11. ↑ Archdeacon, Tom (September 8, 2004). "Dyrdek a skateboarding star". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Lewinski, John Scott (February 21, 2022). "20 Minutes With: Pro Skateboarder-Turned-Entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek". Barron's. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ Bengtson, Russ (May 20, 2013). "The 30 Best Signature Skate Shoes of All Time". Complex. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ Pursell, Robert (January 14, 2016). "DC Shoes and Rob Dyrdek to part ways". Men's Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  15. 1 2 DiNunzio, Jeff (April 18, 2012). "Dyrdek Enterprises acquires DNA". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Scoreboard - X Games". The San Francisco Examiner. August 22, 2000. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek is the biggest name in skateboarding. Period". International Skateboarders Union. June 3, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  18. ↑ Lee, Mara (June 10, 2005). "Skate Park Ready to Open". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  19. ↑ Dardick, Hal (April 17, 2005). "To skateboarders, Chicago plaza would be sweet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Rice, Dan (November 5, 2006). "A conversation with 'Rob & Big'". News-Press. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  21. ↑ Ignelzi, Lenny (April 15, 2016). "MTV skateboard into reality". The Desert Sun. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Rob & Big" – via imdb.com.
  23. ↑ "BIG BLACK HAS PASSED AWAY — REST IN PEACE". The Berrics. May 9, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ Novelo, Ed (April 8, 2011). "The 20 Most Ridiculous Feats in Sports and Athletics". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Longest board slide on a skateboard". Guinness Book of World Records. September 17, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Highest skateboard ramp jump into water". Guinness Book of World Records. September 17, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Most skateboard nollie kickflips in one minute". Guinness Book of World Records. September 17, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory: Dra Dra Drama Beats (3/8/09) - - ent13". March 9, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek Debuts His New Public Skate Plaza". Archived from the original on November 6, 2017.
  31. ↑ Wilson, Bernie (December 17, 2009). "Dyrdek unveils latest skate park". Boston.com – via The Boston Globe.
  32. ↑ Janela, Mike (February 14, 2014). "Video: Rob Dyrdek sets reverse car jump record". Guinness World Records. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Counting Down YOUR Top Five Picks For Best-Ever 'Fantasy Factory' Episodes". MTV.
  34. ↑ "'I Escaped Jaws': Real Shark Attack Survivors Share Their Harrowing Stories (VIDEO)". August 7, 2013 – via Huff Post.
  35. ↑ "Until Deathbox Do Us Part - Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory - MTV". MTV.
  36. ↑ "Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek kick-flips a Chevrolet Sonic for ad". December 18, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Video: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Rob Dyrdek create world's first skateboard car".
  38. ↑ Novak, Claire (November 4, 2011). "Dyrdek hopes lucky shoes bring title". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  39. ↑ Young, Brad (September 26, 2014). "NFL's Jackson, MTV's Dyrdek on horse racing's thrilling athleticism". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  40. ↑ Testa, Jessica (August 25, 2010). "Street League pro skaters will open tour in Glendale". Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  41. ↑ Jessop, Alicia. "Rob Dyrdek Expands Entrepreneurial Reach To Present Largest Winning Purse In Skateboarding History". Forbes.
  42. ↑ "Questions and Answers From Tribeca: Rob Dyrdek". MTV.
  43. ↑ Gillen, Nancy (January 12, 2019). "Finalists decided for Street League Skateboarding World Championships". Inside the Games. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  44. ↑ Whitaker, Lang (August 27, 2011). "Gnarly Moves and Nonstop Adrenaline". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  45. ↑ "MTV Renews 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory' & 'Ridiculousness'". Deadline. September 17, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  46. ↑ Ng, Philiana (March 1, 2011). "MTV Launches New Rob Dyrdek Series, Sets 'Fantasy Factory' Return". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  47. ↑ Schneider, Michael; Aurthur, Kate (July 21, 2020). "R.I.P. Cable TV: Why Hollywood Is Slowly Killing Its Biggest Moneymaker". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  48. ↑ Hamm, Keith (August 8, 2011). "Dyrdek gets green light from Nicktoons". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  49. ↑ Arrant, Chris (April 12, 2012). "Pro Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek's Animated Series "Wild Grinders" To Premiere On Nicktoons April 27". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  50. ↑ "PACIFIC VECTOR ACQUIRES DNA DISTRIBUTION LLC". Boardsport Source. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  51. ↑ Ng, Philiana (June 25, 2014). "Rob Dyrdek Inks Multi-Year Deal at MTV, Brings Back 'Fantasy Factory' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  52. ↑ Gerard, Jeremy (March 2, 2016). "Nickelodeon Adds Sports Stars Gronk, Melo And Skateboard Champ Eaton To Lineup – Upfronts". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  53. ↑ Weiss, Geoff (February 2, 2017). "Nickelodeon Picks Up 'The Dude Perfect Show' From CMT For Second Season". Tubefilter. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  54. ↑ Roof, Katie (September 23, 2016). "Tony Hawk, Rob Dyrdek tell us why skateboarders make good startup investors". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  55. ↑ "UFC releases list of 23 new celebrity owners – and it includes a bunch of friends of the program". September 30, 2016.
  56. ↑ Chapman, Lizette (March 5, 2015). "Luxury-Socks Startup Stance Raises $50M to Expand Into Underwear". Wall Street Journal.
  57. ↑ Watamanuk, Tyler (February 5, 2021). "The WFH Fashion Wave Is Stronger Than Ever". GQ. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  58. ↑ Shieber, Jonathan (March 8, 2021). "Celebs like Rob Dyrdek, Joe Jonas and Travis Barker are backing the nootropic nosh company, Mindright". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  59. ↑ Watson, Elaine (April 20, 2018). "Reay to pig out (minus the bacon?) Outstanding Foods gears up for launch". Food Navigator USA. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  60. ↑ Williams, Keegan (September 5, 2022). "Companies Turn to THC Beverages as Next Growing Legal Cannabis Market". High Times. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Momentous Raises $6.5M in Series A Funding". FinSMEs. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  62. ↑ Daniels, Melissa (July 21, 2022). "How Rob Dyrdek sherpas founders through big ideas and the business journey". Modern Retail. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  63. ↑ Knapp, Aaron (October 27, 2017). "Whiskey Review: Black Feather American Bourbon Whiskey". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  64. ↑ Petski, Denise (November 9, 2017). "MTV Confirms 'Amazingness' Talent Competition Show With Rob Dyrdek". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  65. ↑ Carp, Sam (January 21, 2020). "Nitro Circus, SLS and Superjacket Productions merge to create Thrill One". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  66. 1 2 Petski, Denise (November 23, 2020). "MTV Greenlights 'Ridiculousness' Spinoff 'Deliciousness' Hosted By Tiffani Thiessen". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  67. ↑ Long, Michael (October 8, 2021). "Thrill One: Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding and the licence to entertain". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  68. ↑ Nakamura, Reid (June 4, 2021). "Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi to Host 'Ridiculousness' Spinoff 'Messyness' for MTV". The Wrap. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  69. ↑ Nakamura, Reid (June 21, 2021). "Third 'Ridiculousness' Spinoff 'Adorableness' Ordered at MTV (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  70. ↑ Schawbel, Dan (July 25, 2021). "Pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek on how he became an entrepreneur and his best career advice". Business Insider. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  71. ↑ "High School Dropout to Pro Skater, MTV Icon, and Now Business Machine. This is Rob Dyrdek". GCTV. September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  72. ↑ Dixon, Ed (July 20, 2022). "Thrill One acquired for 'US$300m' by Fiume Capital and Juggernaut Capital Partners". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  73. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek Becomes a Minister, Marries Sister on MTV's Fantasy Factory". Prweb.com. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  74. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory Ep. 506 | Full Scale, Full-Fledged, Certified Minister | Episode Summary, Video, Photos". MTV. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  75. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek, Wife Bryiana Dyrdek Welcome Baby Boy". September 11, 2016.
  76. ↑ "Rob Dyrdek and Wife Bryiana Welcome Second Child". MTV. December 29, 2017.
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