Troy DeVolld Death, Obituary: The inimitable Troy DeVolld passed away unexpectedly this Sunday
Troy DeVolld, a respected author and influential television producer, died at the age of 53 on October 16, 2024. His loss has devastated his family, friends, and coworkers, as well as the entertainment business. DeVolld’s death was announced in a commemorative post that read: “It is with a very heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, alumnus, and Hall of Fame inductee Troy DeVolld.” Though the actual cause of his death has not been revealed, his unexpected passing has shocked those who admired him.
Troy DeVolld, who was born on November 17, 1970, in Zanesville, Ohio, credits his early upbringing and education for shaping his career in entertainment and television. After migrating from Ohio to Florida, he graduated from Brandon Senior High School in 1988, where his interest in the arts grew. DeVolld began attending Flagler College as a Fine Arts major, but quickly recognized that writing and media production were his true vocation. His first break came when he was granted the opportunity to compose television commercials for the Jefferson Mint. This led to other opportunities, including writing for Prime Network’s Fight Night Showcase and WB32 Tampa’s Billy’s Bogus B Movies.
DeVolld enrolled at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he studied cinema and video and graduated in 1996. In 2010, he was inducted into Full Sail’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his important contributions to reality television.
DeVolld’s major break into national television occurred in 2000, when he worked as a logger and transcriptionist on MTV’s Fear. This potential coincided with the rise of reality television, fueled by the popularity of shows such as Survivor. His passion and talent quickly led him to a producer position on one of the most famous reality shows of the period, The Osbournes. This propelled him to the forefront of the genre, where he was in high demand as a producer and creator.
His career continued to grow, with one of his most prominent accomplishments being his work on the Style Network’s Split Ends, which garnered him a joint award nomination in 2009. He was well-known for his adaptability and unique methods in the fast changing reality TV industry.
In addition to his labor behind the scenes, DeVolld made contributions to the academic side of the area. In 2011, he wrote *Reality TV: An Insider’s reference to TV’s Hottest Market*, a well-regarded book that became a bestseller and the essential reference for those wishing to break into the genre. The book launched at number one on Amazon’s Television Reference list, establishing DeVolld as an influential figure in the business.
DeVolld’s impact on reality TV cannot be emphasized. He defined the genre while it was still growing, helping to redefine what unscripted television could be. His efforts and lessons influenced a new generation of reality TV creators and fans.
As the entertainment industry honors Troy DeVolld, his contributions to the world of television will live on, both through the series he created and the knowledge he imparted through his writing. His legacy as a pioneer in reality TV production will live on, as will the memories of those who worked with and were inspired by him.