Daniel Way was born on the 15th April 1974, in Portland, Oregon USA, an is a professional skateboarder, rally-cross driver, and company owner, probably best known for being Thrasher magazine’s “Skater of the Year” on two occasions. Way is also famous for his extreme stunts, including the one when he jumped the Great Wall of China, using one of his mega ramps. His career started in the late ‘80s.
Have you ever wondered how rich Danny Way is, as of mid- 2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Danny Way’s net worth is as high as $11.5 million, earned through his successful skateboarding career. In addition to being a highly popular skateboarder, Way has also been involved in the music industry, and appeared in few films both of which improved his wealth.
Danny Way Net Worth $11.5 Million
Danny Way grew up in Portland and experienced a turbulent childhood with his father Dennis committing suicide while in jail after failing to pay child support to his previous wife. Danny’s mother, Mary, started using various drugs and dating abusive men after his father’s death, so Danny and his brother Damon went through horror in the early years. Mary later married Tim O’Dea, who introduced the brothers Way to the skateboarding but died several years later during a surfing session. Danny won his first competition when just 11years-old.
In the late ‘80s Way started his skateboarding career when he appeared in the Powell Peralta skateboard company’s video “Public Domain”, and H-Street skateboard company’s videos “Shackle Me Not” and “Hokus Pokus”. In 1991, Way and his childhood mentor, Mike Ternasky, founded the skateboard company called Plan B, as part of the Dwindle Distribution company. Ternasky created a “super team” of skateboarders consisting of Way, Colin McKay, Rick Howard, Mike Carroll, Matt Hensley, and Tas Pappas among others.
After Mike Ternasky’s death in a car accident, Way and McKay continued as the team’s co-owners, and they secured financial backing from Syndrome Distribution, which helped them in reforming the Plan B Skateboards. Starting from March 2013, Danny Way is sponsored by the Independent Truck Company, Pacific Drive, Nixon, MegaRamp, DC Shoes, Capix, and ASEC, which has only increased his net worth; Danny’s brother Damon co-founded DC Shoes company with Ken Block.
In addition to skateboarding, Way was involved in a band called Escalera with his fellow skateboarder Bob Burnquist, and also collaborated with rappers Mod Sun and Stevie J, expressing his love towards hip-hop and electronic music, increasing further his net worth. Way has also appeared in documentary films such as “The Reality of Bob Burnquist” in 2005 and The Man Who Souled The World in 2007. In 2012, the documentary about Way’s life called “Waiting For Lightning” came out, focusing on Way’s childhood, his professional skateboarding career, and his big project in China.
Way has won numerous awards including the world record for “Biggest Air” – 12 feet (3.7 m) in 1997, first skateboarder to drop from a helicopter into a ramp in 1997, the World record for “Long Distance Jump” – 65 feet (20 m) in 2002, and Gold medal at X Games in 2004. He was also the First skateboarder to jump over the Great Wall Of China on a skateboard in 2005 and won consecutive gold medals at X Games XI and XII in 2005 and 2006.
Regarding his personal life, Danny Way is married to a Kari, and they have two sons together: Ryden and Tavin. They are living in San Diego, California, and his hobbies are fishing, playing the guitar, and riding motorcycles.
