Former Rob & Big star Christopher "Big Black" Boykin has sadly passed away.
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Boykin's representative confirmed to the magazine that the reality TV star's cause of death was a heart attack.
"MTV is deeply saddened to learn the news of Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin's passing," an MTV spokesperson said in a media statement. "He was a long time 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."
Boykin starred on Rob & Big as Rob Dyrdek's best friend and bodyguard. The MTV reality show only aired for three seasons from 2006 to 2008.
Rob & Big followed the two close pals as they engaged in crazy antics -- like trying to break hilarious Guinness world records, such as eating as many bananas as possible in one minute -- and went on random adventures together.
Boykin also appeared on Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory reality series, which ran from early 2009 to 2015, and Dyrdek's other show Ridiculousness. In addition, fans may recall watching Boykin in MTV Guy Code as well as MTV Snack Off.
"My heart is broken. I don't want [to] write this post. I don't want to believe that this is reality. I am so thankful for you," Dyrdek tweeted Tuesday night.
"We were truly brothers that lived an unexpected unforgettable adventure. I just can't fathom that it would end so suddenly. You will forever be in my heart... Thank you for being an amazing human being and brother."
After years of sharing the spotlight, Boykin and Dyrdek, a professional skateboarder, had a falling out.
In a March 2016 interview, according to People, Dyrdek explained the pair's dynamic and revealed they had a "big blowout" fight "creatively over an idea."
"It was a strange period... I think we both struggled with [fame]," Dyrdek had said.
"I didn't want to be known as, like, Rob from Rob & Big. And I think he didn't want to be known for [being] the sidekick. So that created a lot of that tension between me and him... I think it was more the fundamental struggle of wanting to not be so connected to each other."
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Before his stints on reality TV, Boykin served in the Navy. He is survived by his ex-wife, Shannon, and their nine-year-old daughter Isis. Shannon tweeted that Boykin was her "everything."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
