ROMAN ATWOOD

Roman Atwood: A Pioneer of YouTube Pranks and Family Vlogging

Early Life and Background

Roman Bernard Atwood was born on May 28, 1983, in Millersport, Ohio, USA. He is the son of Curt Dale Atwood and Susan Atwood. From a young age, Roman exhibited a passion for filmmaking, producing videos during his high school years. Before his rise to fame on YouTube, he worked at his family's rope factory, Atwood Rope, and produced a series of DVDs titled "The Nerd Herd," which he sold during the 2006 Warped Tour. 

Rise to YouTube Stardom

Roman Atwood launched his YouTube career with the creation of his channel "RomanAtwood" in 2009, focusing on prank videos. His content quickly gained popularity, leading to the establishment of a second channel, "RomanAtwoodVlogs," in 2013, where he shared daily vlogs about his life and family. As of September 2024, "RomanAtwoodVlogs" boasts over 15.3 million subscribers and 5.56 billion views, while his original prank channel has over 10.1 million subscribers and 1.56 billion views. 

Notable Projects and Collaborations

One of Roman's most famous videos is the "Plastic Ball Prank," where he transformed his house into a giant ball pit, surprising his girlfriend, Brittney Smith. This video garnered significant attention and led to a collaboration with Nissan for their "WithDad" campaign during Super Bowl XLIX. 

In 2016, Roman co-starred in the feature film "Natural Born Pranksters" alongside fellow YouTubers Vitaly Zdorovetskiy and Dennis Roady. He also embarked on a worldwide tour titled "Roman vs. Fousey" with Yousef Erakat, performing live shows in various countries. 

Business Ventures

Beyond YouTube, Roman is an entrepreneur. In 2013, he founded the merchandise line "Smile More," selling apparel and accessories. Initially operated from his home, the business expanded over time. In May 2022, Roman announced the relocation of "Smile More" to Texas in partnership with Matt Carriker's company, Bunker Branding, with Roman and his wife Brittney becoming part owners.

Personal Life

Roman was first married to Shanna Riley in 2001, with whom he has a son named Noah Vaughn Atwood. The couple divorced in 2008. He later began a relationship with Brittney Smith, whom he met in 2008. The couple married on July 27, 2018, in Maui, Hawaii, and have three children together: Kane Alexander Atwood, Cora Atwood, and Knox Atwood. 

In May 2019, Roman's mother, Susan Atwood, tragically passed away during a family vacation. This event led to a temporary hiatus from his online activities. Later, in 2020, Roman took another break from YouTube due to security concerns involving his family, which he later addressed in a video detailing the situation. 

Recent Endeavors

In addition to his vlogging, Roman launched the "RomanAtwoodPodcast" in May 2022, featuring discussions with friends and special guests. He continues to engage with his audience through various platforms, sharing insights into his life and experiences. 

Roman Atwood's journey from a small-town filmmaker to a YouTube sensation exemplifies the impact of digital media in shaping modern entertainment. His dedication to family-friendly content and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire many around the world.