Tyrus, the WWE wrestler known for his tough-guy image, has a surprising depth that goes beyond his imposing presence.
Intelligent, articulate, and perceptive, he has overcome personal struggles, including a painful childhood where he once wished to change his skin color.
That hurt never truly fades, but instead of letting it fuel hatred, Tyrus used it to build strength. In this article, we explore Tyrus’ journey — and the famous wife who stands by his side. Stay tuned to learn how she helped shape his incredible story.
For anyone who’s into wrestling, Tyrus, 51, is a name that probably rings a bell. A former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, he made a big impact in the ring.
But these days, he’s known for more than just his wrestling skills. He’s become a cable news personality, regularly appearing on Fox News and Fox Nation, especially as a co-host on the late-night talk show Gutfeld!.
His journey to fame and fortune definitely wasn’t a straight line, though. Honestly, when you hear where he started from, it’s hard to believe how far he’s come.
A rocky start: Tyrus’s childhood struggles
Born George Murdoch on February 21, 1973, in Boston, Massachusetts, Tyrus’s journey to fame is nothing short of remarkable.
But life didn’t offer Tyrus a smooth start. Born to teen parents — his father was 19 and his mother only 15 — he grew up in a turbulent household in Los Angeles. The situation took a devastating turn when his abusive father injured him as a child, leaving him with a damaged eye. This incident led Tyrus’s mother to flee, taking him and his brother along.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
But Tyrus and his brother weren’t welcome at their grandparents’ home due to their mixed-race background, forcing the siblings into foster care. The rejection was painful, and young Tyrus became “obsessed” with changing his skin color, believing it would reunite him with his family.
Eventually, Tyrus and his brother rejoined their mother, who worked tirelessly —often up to 80 hours a week — to provide for them. Stability was a fleeting concept, as the family moved every six months to follow her work.
Things worsened when a stepfather entered the picture. Unwilling to accept this new parental figure, 15-year-old Tyrus left home. Homeless and proud, he refused to ask for help. He spent several nights hiding in his school’s locker room.
Salvation through sports
Amid the chaos, Tyrus found salvation in sports — particularly football.
“Football saved my life. No question. I’d be in jail or dead if it wasn’t for football,” he later revealed to the Lexington Clipper-Herald.
Through football, Tyrus gained male role models, was held accountable, and formed friendships. But even more important? He found something to fight for, a goal to strive for in the distance.
Coaches and teammates became his lifeline, offering him not only a place to crash but also a sense of direction. His talent for football also opened the door to higher education.
The giant, offensive lineman caught the attention of recruiters, earning him a spot at Antelope Valley College and later the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).
At UNK, Tyrus flourished as part of the Lopers football team, where he was known for his size and skill. The Lopers offensive line averaged over 300 pounds per player — not exactly a team anyone wanted to face.
The athletics went well, but even more importantly, Tyrus grew as a person during his time at UNK. He became a man, learning the value of structure, discipline, and keeping his word.
Still, financial struggles followed him. Despite earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1998, Tyrus couldn’t afford a cap and gown to attend his graduation ceremony. True to form, he refused to ask for help, a decision he later admitted was rooted in pride.
From bar brawl to wrestling star
Many might not know this, but Tyrus actually had a few tryouts with the NFL. Unfortunately, they didn’t pan out, and later a ruptured appendix shattered any dreams of a career on football’s biggest stage.
After those devastating news, Tyrus began working as a substitute teacher by day and a nightclub bouncer by night.
The story of how Tyrus found his way into the wrestling world is a rather entertaining one.
One evening in the early 2000s, Tyrus was working as a nightclub bouncer when a fight broke out between two unruly patrons. The scuffle quickly escalated, and Tyrus stepped in to diffuse the situation. As he puts it, he ”clunked their little heads together and carried them out like a suitcase” — all while cracking jokes.
This caught the attention of professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer, who couldn’t help but think Tyrus’s natural charisma and physical presence would look great on TV.
And so, in 2006, Tyrus made his pro wrestling debut under the name Brodus Clay, later earning fame as The Funkasaurus. By 2014, he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where most fans came to know him simply as Tyrus.
How did Tyrus end up on Gutfeld! and Fox
Tyrus’s larger-than-life personality didn’t just resonate in the ring—it also caught the attention of TV producers
It’s actually a pretty funny story. It all started when Tyrus playfully called out host Greg Gutfeld on social media, sparking a lighthearted back-and-forth between the two. Amused by their banter, Gutfeld invited Tyrus to appear on the show, a late-night blend of politics and satire.
Since 2016, Tyrus has been a regular presence on Fox News, appearing on shows like Fox & Friends and The Daily Briefing. Known for being a talkative guy even back in his football days, his outspoken nature proved to be a perfect fit for television.
Tyrus has gained a reputation for speaking his mind without holding back.
But that’s not all — Tyrus has also dabbled in acting. He’s appeared in TV series like The Purge, MacGyver, and Syn, as well as in the horror film No One Lives.
In addition to co-hosting the podcast Tyrus & The Wise Men, this multi-talented personality has written two books. His 2022 autobiography, Just Tyrus: A Memoir, became a New York Times bestseller. He followed it up with Nuff Said, released in 2023.
Who is Tyrus wife?
Tyrus married his longtime partner, Ingrid Rinck Herbert, on January 7, 2024.
Ingrid, an accomplished entrepreneur and fitness trainer, has been a key figure in Tyrus’ personal life for nearly a decade. Ingrid Murdoch created The Rinck Routine, a lifestyle and fitness brand focused on holistic living.
She also launched Sensible Meals, a meal preparation company, drawing on her two decades of experience as a personal trainer to help others achieve their health goals.
Tyrus occasionally talks about his wife, and whenever he does, it’s always in glowing terms. Tyrus lovingly referred to Ingrid as his “chief of staff, top dog, number one, and queen of my tiny wild kingdom.”
At their home in Mandeville, Louisiana, they also shared their unique collection of exotic reptiles with the world. Nowadays, the couple lives on a farm in New Jersey.
Tyrus daughter Georgie
The couple shares a daughter, Georgie Rose Murdoch, born on May 7, 2014.
As of 2024, Georgie is 10 years old and likely in elementary school.
Together since at least 2014, Tyrus and Ingrid have kept their family life relatively private, but they occasionally share glimpses of their daughter on social media.
One such moment was shared by Ingrid on August 6, 2024, when she posted a picture of Georgie riding a horse, captioning it with a heartfelt note about her daughter’s love for horseback riding:
”The confidence and the poise this sport is bringing to my daughter is amazing . She gets her horse ready from top to bottom and loves every minute of it. we are so grateful to the equestrian center that we have found here in New Jersey and even the other moms who have girls competing with Georgie have been so welcoming and teaching us the sport. We have truly found a wonderful place.”
Tyrus has also spoke about his daughter’s natural talent for equestrian sports. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Georgie has already won competitions with her loyal and elderly horse, Rosevelt, affectionately nicknamed Teddy.
How many children do Tyrus have?
According to various sources online, Tyrus is a proud father of five, but Georgie is said to be his only biological child.
The former wrestler also has two adult sons, Rhett and Rock, from previous relationships.
Rhett, one of Tyrus’ stepsons from his wife’s previous relationship, graduated from Mandeville High School in Louisiana in 2021. On May 6, 2021, his mother shared a heartfelt Instagram post congratulating him and thanking the school for their support and guidance.
Rock, Rhett’s younger brother, grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014. The condition affects his pancreas and is currently incurable. The nutritious meals from Ingrid Rinck’s Sensible Meals company has helped Rock a lot.
“[Friends] saw my success with portion-controlled meals that I created for my son and wanted me to replicate the meals for them. And that’s how my business started,” Ingrid told Sophisticated Woman in 2018.
While Tyrus occasionally shares glimpses of the boys’ life on social media, it’s clear that his daughter with Ingrid holds a special place in his heart.
Tyrus often posts about Georgie, showing sweet moments between father and daughter that highlight just how much she means to him.
Tyrus net worth
Tyrus isn’t just a no-nonsense news commentator and TV personality—he’s also built quite a fortune over the years. As of 2024, this former wrestler turned actor and commentator boasts an impressive net worth of $3 million, proving he’s been pinning down opportunities just as well as he did opponents in the ring.
Known for his bold opinions and larger-than-life personality, some sources states that he earns an annual salary of $45,700 as a political commentator at Fox News.
But according to various salary websites like Zippia, the average earnings of Fox News contributors is $56,921 per year.
Wow, what a story! Tyrus has been through so much, and look at where he is now—a wrestling champ, a TV star, a bestselling author, and most importantly, a loving husband and dad. It’s amazing to see how he’s turned his struggles into something so inspiring.
This is the kind of story that inspires others to believe in second chances and finding your purpose. Don’t keep it to yourself — share it with your friends and family! Let’s spread the word about Tyrus’s journey and show the world what real determination looks like. 💪✨
