Christopher Boykin, known as "Big Black" from the MTV show Rob & Big, has died at age 45, People confirms. His ex-wife Shannon Turley says Boykin was hospitalized in Plano and "had been struggling with heart issues," TMZ reports.
This is Shannon, Big Black's ex-wife, I'm heartbroken to tell you of Black's passing. He's everything to me and Isis and we will miss him 💔😢
— Big Black (@BigBlack) May 10, 2017
Rob & Big aired from 2006 to 2008 and featured skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his body guard and friend Boykin. "The series followed their adventures, from holding an exorcism to breaking Guinness world records, including eating the most powdered doughnuts eaten in less than 3 minutes," ET says.
Dyrdek, in a series of Twitter posts, remembered his 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. pic.twitter.com/Atp5EE3jX6
— Rob Dyrdek (@robdyrdek) May 10, 2017
Boykin is survived by a 9-year-old daughter.
Boykin had been spotted in D-FW, including in 2009 when NBCDFW says he was "mobbed by exuberant college kids" at the Hotel Zaza in Dallas.
