Entertainer Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin attends the 2014 MTV Movie Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 13, 2014. (Getty)
The entertainment world has been struck with the loss of another one of its stars.
Chris “Big Black” Boykin, best known for his role on the MTV reality show Rob & Big, died at the age of 45 on May 9, TMZ reported.
Boykin’s cause of death was a heart attack, his representative told People. He died Tuesday morning and is survived by his 9-year-old daughter.
He was Rob Dyrdek‘s best friend and bodyguard on Rob & Big, which ran from 2006-2008. He also appeared on Dyrdek’s spinoff show, Fantasy Factory.
During the run of the two shows, Rob and Big got into a bunch of adventures in Dyrdek’s “playhouse,” also known as the factory. Skits revolved around characters running around and performing pranks and attempting to set Guiness world records.
However, Dyredek and Boykin’s relationship reportedly became strained through the show’s run, and Dyrdek spoke openly about it on In Depth with Graham Bensinger in 2016.
Dyrdek sent out a tweet hours after his death was reported that said he was shocked at the unexpected death of his longtime friend.
My heart is broken. I don’t want write this post. I don’t want to believe that this is reality. I am so thankful for you.
Rob and “Big Black” got their start back in the early 2000s in a skit for DC Shoes. They did so again in DC Video: Deluxe Edition DVD before starting the MTV show.
MTV released a statement to People that said it was very tough to hear the news of his death.
MTV is deeply saddened to learn the news of Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin’s passing. He was a longtime and beloved member of the MTV family and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.
Before heading into the entertainment industry, Boykin served in the U.S. Navy.
Here are some of “Big Black’s” best and funniest moments from when he was on TV:
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Chris ‘Big Black’ Boykin Dead: Best & Funniest Moments