Half of MTV odd couple ‘Rob & Big’ known 
for filming daily antics

Published 12:02 am Friday, May 12, 2017

Christopher Boykin, a star of the MTV reality shows “Rob & Big” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory,” died Tuesday. He was 45.

A spokeswoman for Boykin confirmed his death was caused by a heart attack.

Boykin, known as Big Black, was the professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek’s bodyguard and buddy. On their show “Rob & Big,” which aired for three seasons from 2006 to 2008, the duo, mismatched in size and disposition, shared a house in the Hollywood Hills.

It was there that their day-to-day antics — such as using a net gun to catch people and buying a minihorse — were filmed, with Dyrdek’s bulldog, Meaty, in tow.

In a regular segment, Boykin broke two Guinness World Records; one was for eating the most powdered-sugar doughnuts in less than three minutes, the other for peeling and eating the most bananas in one minute.

But their friendship was what ultimately hooked fans, many of whom shared their “Rob & Big” memories on Twitter after his death.

The relationship between Boykin and Dyrdek became strained after “Rob & Big,” but they reconciled, and Boykin became a mainstay of “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” starting in Season 4.

Dyrdek expressed his grief on Twitter, saying, “I don’t want to believe that this is reality.”

Boykin was born in Raleigh, Mississippi, on Jan. 13, 1972. Before teaming with Dyrdek, he served in the Navy.

His marriage to Shannon Turley ended in divorce in 2009. He is survived by their daughter, Isis.

In 2007, Boykin started a clothing brand, Big Black. He sold T-shirts and hats, among other items, that featured his catchphrase, “Do work.”

Boykin broke two Guinness World Records; one was for eating the most powdered-sugar doughnuts in less than three minutes, the other for peeling and eating the most bananas in one minute.