Ryan Sheckler
A skateboarding prodigy who turned professional at 13 and used reality TV fame to build a lasting action sports empire.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American professional skateboarder·Birthday: December 30·Millennials
Biography
Ryan Sheckler didn't just enter skateboarding; he exploded onto the scene with a preternatural talent that made him a household name before he could drive. Turning pro at 13 for Plan B Skateboards, he quickly became the youngest X Games gold medalist, captivating audiences with his technical street skating and fearless approach. His MTV reality series, 'Life of Ryan,' offered an unprecedented, sometimes uncomfortably intimate, look at the pressures of teenage fame, blending skateboarding with personal drama. Rather than fading after the show ended, Sheckler matured into a savvy entrepreneur, founding the Sheckler Foundation to support injured athletes and children in need, and cultivating his 'Sheckler Sessions' web series. He evolved from a wunderkind into a pillar of the skate community, balancing business, philanthropy, and a continued competitive edge.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ryan was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ryan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Ryan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won his first X Games gold medal in Street at age 13 in 2003, becoming the youngest gold medalist at the event at that time.
- Starred in his own MTV reality television series, 'Life of Ryan,' which aired for three seasons from 2007 to 2009.
- Founded the Sheckler Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and injured action sports athletes.
- Has won multiple Dew Tour championships and was the overall champion in 2008 and 2009.
Did You Know?
He has a signature skateboarding video game, 'Ryan Sheckler's Skateboarding,' released in 2009.
Sheckler is an avid fisherman and often shares his fishing adventures on social media.
He was featured on the cover of the video game 'Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.'
“I just want to be remembered as someone who skated for the right reasons and helped people along the way.”
