Biography

Rob Dyrdek is a rare breed in professional skateboarding: his charisma and personality are as well known as his abilities on a board. As a skateboarder, Dyrdek has racked up his share of top worldwide contest finishes, legendary video parts and endless magazine coverage. But Rob's larger-than-life persona is grounded in the fact that he's passionate, driven and above all, a talented athlete who's shaped modern street skateboarding. He's played a major part in building DC Shoes and other influential skateboarding companies into what they are today.

Born in Kettering, Ohio, in 1974, Rob started skating at age 12, and in less than a year was the youngest member of the popular G&S (Gordon & Smith) skateboard team. At 16, he turned pro for the newly formed, now legendary Alien Workshop Team.

"Personality coupled with talent makes the ultimate celebrity, and Dyrdek had the ability to wrap it all into one incredible ball of energy," says Alien Workshop owner Chris Carter.

Soon after his first professional contest, Dyrdek became friends with Ken Block and Damon Way, then President and Executive Vice President of Droors Clothing. Seeing the endless potential in this young skater, Dyrdek was quickly asked to promote their Droors Clothing line.

Droors Clothing later became DC Shoes, the first company to produce an athletic driven skate shoe made specifically for skateboarders. Dyrdek’s strong street skills inspired Block and Way to add Dyrdek as the first street member of their newly formed DC team.

Rob joined DC Shoes in 1995 and set out to design the first-ever skateboard shoe with an athletic shoe's performance features and look. The result, the Dyrdek1, was the first skateboard shoe to feature protective nylon lace loops. Dyrdek’s signature shoe was met with unprecedented approval by the skateboarding community, sold out in record time, and marked the moment when DC became known as a skateboard shoe innovator.

Rob's drive and passion has spilled over from the act of skateboarding itself to the entrepreneurial side, and Rob has used his keen business sense to start several companies, among them Silver trucks and Reflex bearings.

Rob continued with his entrepreneurial skills to help skateboarding and create legal street skateboarding spots for the roughly 10-million street skateboarders in the US and give back to the sport that made him a star. To that end, he spearheaded the creation of the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation, after years of frustration from dealing with the consequences of skating illegal skatespots and facing inadequate street design in legal skateparks. Taking an active and passionate role in bringing the skate plaza concept to life, Rob taught himself to draft and measured notable skatespots to help the foundation create its first skate plaza. Built in Rob’s hometown of Kettering, Ohio, the first skate plaza has rocketed in popularity and become a destination spot for skateboarders worldwide. The entire story of the first skate plaza, from Rob’s concept to completion, has been documented in Groundbreaking. Created as a tool to educate cities about the skate plaza concept, Groundbreaking also provided financial backing to the foundation with a donation of $1 per each DVD sold.

In early 2009, Rob’s newest show “Fantasy Life” debuts on MTV. The show follows Rob as he builds out Dyrdek Enterprises and turns his dreams into reality. At center stage of Rob’s show, is the Fantasy Factory, a 25,000 square foot industrial-complex-turned-funhouse designed to expand the reaches of Rob's skateboard empire. Rob conceived, stars and executive produces this latest MTV show.

Beginning in 2006, Rob made his debut appearance on MTV with the reality series, Rob and Big that he also executive produced and conceived. After three seasons, the show quickly catapulted Rob to one of MTV’s biggest stars. Rob and Big has repeatedly ranked as one of the highest rated shows on the network. This reality comedy stared Rob and his bodyguard and best friend, Christopher "Big Black" Boykin as the twosome live together in Rob’s Hollywood Hills home.

Rob’s success on the small screen led him to roles on Hollywood’s big screen. In 2007 Rob filmed for Righteous Kill, appearing alongside Al Pacino, Robert Di Niro and 50 Cent. The film was released in September 2008.

On Rob’s list of accomplishments is Street Dreams, a feature length film Rob co-wrote, executive produces and stars in. Street Dreams is more than just another movie about skateboarding. It is the first film written as an honest portrayal of the skateboarding culture instead of the Hollywood stereotypes that have infiltrated the media. Street Dreams follows the path it takes for a young skater to fulfill their dreams of becoming a sponsored street skater.

Currently, Rob resides in Los Angeles, California. When he's not skateboarding, supporting his foundation, filming for MTV or involved in the shoe design process at DC, he's busy with one of his numerous side projects.

In addition to DC Shoes, Rob rides for Alien Workshop, Reflex bearings, Silver trucks, and Monster energy drinks.