Mike Rowe Biography

Fast Facts

• Became an Eagle Scout in 1979, and in 2012, the Boy Scouts of America presented him with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
• Testified before the U․S․ Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the importance of changing American perceptions and stereotypes surrounding blue-collar jobs
• Began his career in the entertainment industry as a singer at the Baltimore Opera, and he credits his high school choir director with instilling a love of performing in him
• Quote: "[on "Dirty Jobs"] "The show is a by-product of being sent out with no preparation, no script, no agenda, not much left but an honest point of view․ And that's what we try to present․""
• Quote: "People are scared not to appear as an expert, or appear completely brave․ It's just nonsense․ The world is not full of experts and brave people․"
• Is a prolific narrator and has worked so extensively with Discovery Channel he has joked that if there's a wildebeest getting eaten alive by a lion, it's probably him telling viewers about it
• Before he was the host of "Dirty Jobs," his most recognizable role, he sold over $100 million worth of simulated diamonds while working as a host on QVC
• Likes to read pulp fiction in what spare time he has
• Once gave Joan Rivers home-made cookies at a holiday party
• Won his job on the QVC Shopping Channel by talking about a pencil for almost eight minutes, which he only did to settle a bet