Isis Rae Boykin is widely known as the only child of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, the lovable star of MTV’s Rob & Big and Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, and his ex-wife, Shannon Turley. Big Black stepped away from Rob & Big in 2008 to start a family, and Isis became the center of his world. She was just nine years old when her father died of heart failure on May 9, 2017.
To millions of MTV fans, Big Black was the gentle giant who shouted “Let’s do work!” and set silly world records next to Rob Dyrdek. Away from the cameras, he was a dad. His daughter, Isis, was the person he cared about most.
This article looks at what is truly known about Isis, her parents, and the father who made sure she would be taken care of. Every part is written in simple words so anyone can read and enjoy it.
Quick Facts: Isis Rae Boykin
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Isis Rae Boykin |
| Known For | Only child of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin |
| Born | Around 2008 |
| Father | Christopher “Big Black” Boykin (1972–2017) |
| Mother | Shannon Turley |
| Parents Married | 2008 |
| Parents Divorced | 2009 |
| Age When Father Died | 9 |
| Siblings | None |
| Public Life | Private |
Who Is Isis Rae Boykin?
Isis Rae Boykin is the daughter of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin and Shannon Turley.
She is her father’s only child.
Isis was nine years old when her father died in May 2017, so she was born around 2008.
She has grown up away from the public eye, even though her father was a well-known TV personality.
Isis’s Father, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin
Christopher Boykin was born on January 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois.
He grew up in Raleigh, Mississippi, and graduated from Stone High School in Wiggins, Mississippi, in 1990.
After high school, he served in the United States Navy.
He later became known to the world by his nickname, “Big Black.”
How Big Black Met Rob Dyrdek
Big Black’s TV career started with a funny skit.
In a DC Shoes video, pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek hired him as his bodyguard to protect him from security guards.
The pair had great chemistry, and the idea for a TV show was born.
That friendship would change Big Black’s life.
Big Black on “Rob & Big”
From November 2006 to April 2008, Big Black co-starred with Rob Dyrdek on MTV’s Rob & Big.
The show followed the odd-couple friends through silly adventures and pranks.
In 2008, Big Black set two Guinness World Records: peeling and eating three bananas in one minute, and eating five powdered doughnuts in under three minutes.
He and Rob even became characters in the video game Skate in 2007.
Leaving TV to Start a Family
After the third season of Rob & Big, Big Black made a big decision.
He left the show because he was starting a family.
That same year, 2008, he married Shannon Turley.
Soon after, Isis was born. Her father had stepped away from MTV to be there for her.
“Let’s Do Work”
In 2007, Big Black launched his own clothing brand, called Big Black.
It sold T-shirts and hats featuring his famous catchphrase, “Let’s Do Work.”
The phrase became his signature and is still loved by fans today.
It later became part of his plans to secure his daughter’s future.
Isis’s Mother, Shannon Turley
Isis’s mother is Shannon Turley.
She married Big Black in 2008, and the couple divorced in 2009.
Even after their split, the two stayed connected through their daughter.
Shannon has kept her own life private, away from the spotlight.
Big Black’s Return to TV
Big Black later returned to MTV.
He joined the cast of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory in 2011 and stayed until its final episode in 2015.
He also appeared on Ridiculousness, Guy Code, and Snack Off.
Through all of it, Isis remained his biggest priority.
A Father Facing Health Problems
Big Black lived with serious heart problems.
He had a defibrillator implant to help regulate his heart.
As his health got worse, he moved back into the home he had shared with Shannon and Isis.
Even though they had divorced years earlier, the family came together during his final months.
The Day Isis Lost Her Father
In early May 2017, Big Black was hospitalized in Plano, Texas, and placed on a heart monitor.
On May 9, 2017, his heart stopped. Hospital staff spent 30 minutes trying to save him.
He died that afternoon of heart failure at just 45 years old.
Isis was nine years old.
Her Mother’s Words
The day after his death, Shannon shared a short, heartfelt message.
She wrote that he was everything to her and Isis, and that they would miss him.
Those few words captured how much he meant to the family he left behind.
A College Fund for Isis
Before he died, Big Black’s greatest worry was his daughter’s future.
According to his manager, Mark Shin, Big Black had set up a college fund for Isis and trusted close friends to watch over it.
He wanted to make sure her dreams would be fulfilled.
It was one of the last and most loving things he did as a father.
A Clothing Line for Her Future
Plans to relaunch Big Black’s clothing line were already in the works before he died.
After his death, his team said a small relaunch was still possible, with all proceeds going to Isis.
The brand that carried his famous catchphrase could now help support his daughter.
His slogan, “Let’s Do Work,” took on a new meaning.
Why Isis Rae Boykin Stays Out of the Spotlight
A common question is simple. Why is Isis so private?
She was very young when her father died, and her mother has kept her life away from the public eye.
Isis does not have a public career or a known social media presence.
That privacy has given her room to grow up and grieve in her own way.
Isis Rae Boykin Today
Isis is now about 18 years old, stepping into adulthood.
No trusted source shares details about her school or plans, and her family has kept those things private.
What is clear is that her father worked hard to make sure she would be cared for.
Her story is just beginning.
Final Thoughts
Big Black made millions laugh with his big heart and bigger personality. But the most important role he ever played was being Isis’s dad.
He left television to start his family, and in his final days, he made sure his daughter would have a future.
Sometimes the truest measure of a person isn’t what they do for an audience, but what they do for the one person who matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Isis Rae Boykin?
Isis Rae Boykin is the only child of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, the star of MTV’s Rob & Big, and his ex-wife, Shannon Turley.
How old was Isis when her father died?
She was nine years old when Big Black died on May 9, 2017.
Who is Isis Rae Boykin’s mother?
Her mother is Shannon Turley, who was married to Big Black from 2008 to 2009.
How did Big Black die?
He died of heart failure caused by a heart attack in Plano, Texas, at age 45.
Did Big Black leave anything for his daughter?
Yes. According to his manager, he set up a college fund for Isis. His team also considered relaunching his clothing line with proceeds going to her.
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Want more honest stories about the families behind TV’s favorite personalities? Keep following The Ripple Magazine for well researched profiles you won’t find anywhere else.
