Rory Sykes'
Information

Rory Sykes'
Information

LAST UPDATED - JANUARY 2023

Rory Sykes is a well-traveled gamer turned entrepreneurial philanthropist, a professional speaker who loves to play RuneScape and dabble in code. Born in England and raised in Australia, he now happily lives and works in Los Angeles.

Rory Sykes is a well-traveled gamer turned entrepreneurial philanthropist, a professional speaker who loves to play RuneScape and dabble in code. Born in England and raised in Australia, he now happily lives and works in Los Angeles.

Rory's life has always been far from normal. When he was born, unexpectedly, on his grandmother's and mother's birthday, July 29th, in West Yorkshire, the doctors told his mother he would never see or walk due to injuries he sustained from a car crash while in the womb, which included brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy.

Rory's early life is documented in Shelley Sykes' autobiography 'Callum's Cure'. In which you'll learn many things about him that will not be published anywhere else. Seriously!

Fast forward through a whole lot of ass-busting, a trip to Walt Disney World, and many boxes of chocolates, Rory can now see and walk, after 11 leg operations, an eye operation, and a lifetime of physiotherapy.

Rory spent New Year's Eve 1999 aboard Orient Lines' Marco Polo with Captain Erik Bjurstedt at Antarctica’s breathtaking Port Lockroy.

His love for food, especially ice cream, whether that be cooking or consuming it, resulted in him secretly cooking in some of the UK's and Australia's best restaurants (Thank you, Borra!) and he might have spent time in the galley on board a ship or yacht or two. He's been told he could have a successful career as a competitive eater, but he'll leave that to Beard, Matt Stonie, and Tzuyang!

His inspiration for cooking and food emanates from spending time with his great-grandma Kitty, a haute couturier who always made the family Yorkshire puddings and pancakes during visits! She inspired Pauline, her daughter and Rory's grandma, lovingly nicknamed Klucky, to attend and graduate Le Cordon Bleu.

Always a happy child, unable and unwilling to participate in sports, he turned to technology and gaming, helping his mother Shelley with any and all technical assistance she required. Rory took his knowledge and experience gained from helping Shelley and founded his first company, which rapidly grew into a slew of thriving businesses.

He has spent over two decades in digital marketing and advised individuals and corporations on best practices, working together to implement them to almost immediate success.

Rory hosted the British RTV Show 'Kiddy Kapers' produced by his mother and later performed 'Singing in the Rain' at the Sydney Opera House during a short-lived career as a child actor and model. After realizing he, quite frankly, hated life in front of the camera, he decided to drop out of high school at 15 (to play RuneScape full-time) with plans of becoming a software engineer and to refocus on his business empire.

Before he left high school, he was interviewed by 60 Minutes (Australia). Unsurprisingly, they found something a little more entertaining to shoot, and the interview(s) never aired. Despite Nine Network saying they don't have any record of the event, Rory is sure the footage will eventually be located and abruptly aired as soon as they find an opportunity!

Over the years, Rory has had the privilege to speak and consult for many companies, including Microsoft, ING Group, Westfield, the Tony Robbins Foundation, and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Rory was honored to attend and lead Professional Speakers Australia's Youth Leadership program between 2005 and 2010. Teaching and inspiring the children of Australia's professional speakers.

Rory has written books, TV series, and films in a variety of genres and across a wide range of topics, but due to his hatred of press tours and a publisher who shall remain nameless (they know who they are), you may never get to read or watch them.

He created 'Rappin' Mama', who first appeared on a stage with Rory in San Diego, California, in July 2003. The song and music video soon followed. Thus, Rory inadvertently started both Shelley's writing and singing careers.

Now a philanthropist, investor, gamer, developer, founder, speaker, and mentor.

Rory is the Co-founder of Happy Charity, a charity offering hope, health, & happiness to those that are hurting, through kind gestures.

He now dedicates his time to RuneScape, investing and his philanthropic efforts.

Additional Information

Rory Sykes was born prematurely on Wednesday, July 29, 1992, in West Yorkshire, England, at Airedale General Hospital. He originally fit in the palm of his mother's hand. Thankfully, at the age of 18, he is now 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 165 lbs.

Rory Sykes attended Mortlake Public School with Niki Ficsor and St Mary's Cathedral College Sydney with Hunter Page-Lochard between 2005 and 2007 before dropping out of high school in year 9 at 15 years old. He later returned to education just long enough to receive a Record of School Achievement.