Tyler Duckworth, a former winner of MTV’s The Challenge, has died at the age of 44.
News of the reality television personality’s death was shared Thursday by his mother, Joni, in a Facebook post.
“My son, Tyler, passed away earlier this week. Cause of death has yet to be determined. I will post on Facebook about services as soon as his dad and I figure it out,” she wrote.
Duckworth died Tuesday after he was reportedly discovered “unresponsive in his bathroom,” according to The Sun.
A source told the outlet that Duckworth had recently had surgery, though it remains unclear whether the procedure was connected in any way to his death.
His sudden death came less than two weeks after he attended The Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis on July 31.
The Challenge winner Tyler Duckworth has died at 44. He is seen above in a promotional image from the show
Duckworth died Tuesday after he was reportedly found “unresponsive in his bathroom,” according to The Sun. Pictured in 2006
He shared photos of himself with fellow The Challenge alums Rachel Robinson, Brad Fiorenza, Tina Barta and Mark Long from the event.
At the time, he wrote in his caption: ‘@challengemaniapodcast always knows how to bring the BEST of the BEST together.’
‘So proud to represent my hometown of Minneapolis along with these other challenge legends. The fans are what keep us coming out! Hearing your stories of courage, inspiration & joy that you’ve got being a fan of the franchise is humbling each and every time.’
‘Also, pretty sure we nailed the cast photo for the lost season of The Real World: Minneapolis!! Thank you Minneapolis! Thank you @scottofyager. It was REAL!!’
Following the news of his passing, members of The Challenge shared tributes to Duckworth.
Fiorenza wrote in an Instagram post: ‘Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Tyler. We shared something special being part of The Challenge family. I’ll always be grateful for the memories we shared; especially at this last event just a couple weeks ago. Tyler will be deeply missed by so many. May his amazing soul live on in the lives he’s touched. RIP my dear friend.’
‘Life is crazy. RIP Mighty Duckworth! You were so vibrant two weeks ago,’ The Challenge star Paulie Calafiore wrote via Instagram. ‘It’s so wild to imagine your vibrant energy no longer here. Sending prayers and love to your family and friends. The Challenge fam lost a legend ❤️#rip #prayersforhealing.’
Robinson wrote on her Instagram Stories: ‘May your memory be a blessing for us all. We love you @TheMightyDuckworth.’
The reality TV star’s death was announced by his mother Joni via a Facebook post on Thursday
A source told the outlet that Duckworth had recently undergone surgery, though it’s not clear if the procedure had anything to do with his death. Pictured in 2024
His unexpected passing comes less than two weeks after he appeared at The Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis on July 31. He shared photos of himself with fellow The Challenge alums Rachel Robinson, Brad Fiorenza, Tina Barta and Mark Long from the event
Duckworth started his reality TV career on MTV’s The Real World: Key West in 2006, shortly after graduating from Tufts University. Above, in 2008
‘Life is crazy. RIP Mighty Duckworth! You were so vibrant two weeks ago,’ The Challenge star Paulie Calafiore wrote via Instagram following the news of Duckworth’s death
Fiorenza wrote in an Instagram post: ‘Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Tyler. We shared something special being part of The Challenge family’
Katie Cooley shared on Facebook: ‘Heartbroken to hear about Tyler. He was so funny always making everyone laugh, and sweating profusely for absolutely no reason’
Barta also honored the star, writing on Instagram: ‘Some friendships are measured in years. Others are measured in memories, laughter, shared experiences and the way someone makes you feel when they are in the room. @themightyduckworth you are one of those special people.’
‘A true friend and confidant… Tyler, thank you for being part of my story. I’m grateful our paths crossed in this crazy life and that I get to carry those memories with me. Rest peacefully, my darling friend.’
Challenge Mania cohost and The Challenge alum Derrick Kosinski told People: ‘We shared a room on All Stars 2 and he was an amazing human being. His passing is so sad.’
‘He was always such a bright light and incredible joy to be around. He also kicked my a** in elimination on the original Cutthroat. And that was after he eliminated Johnny Bananas in the famous Bananas backpack elimination, Back Up Off Me. He went toe to toe with CT for 40 minutes! He doesn’t get his flowers often enough for that. And he won that season. And then won again with Johnny on Rivals.’
Katie Cooley shared on Facebook: ‘Heartbroken to hear about Tyler. He was so funny always making everyone laugh, and sweating profusely for absolutely no reason. He was truly one of a kind. Sending love to everyone who knew him. Rest easy, friend.’
Duckworth started his reality TV career on MTV’s The Real World: Key West in 2006, shortly after graduating from Tufts University.
He went on to compete on six seasons of The Challenge – The Duel, The Gauntlet III, Cutthroat, Rivals, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3 – winning the competition on Cutthroat and Rivals.
His return for All Stars 2 in 2021 took place after a 10-year hiatus.
‘I’m so happy to be back now. And I’m giving you guys a show this season, don’t you worry,’ he told Entertainment Weekly before the premiere of the show.
He went on to compete on six seasons of The Challenge – The Duel, The Gauntlet III, Cutthroat, Rivals, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3 – winning the competition on Cutthroat and Rivals
‘I gave it my all. I don’t know if this might be my last rodeo, so I’m going to give you guys a motherf***ing show.’
Duckworth relocated from West Hollywood to North Dakota in recent years, and was working as a teacher at a local middle school.
Over the years, The Challenge has mourned the loss of several beloved contestants, including Michelle Parma in 2002 following a car crash, Diem Brown in 2014 from ovarian cancer, and Ryan Knight that same year from an apparent accidental overdose.
Dave Mirra died in 2016 from an apparent suicide, and Danny Dias passed away in 2017 from ‘complications of chronic substance abuse.’
