Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dawson Gurley |
| Known As | Big Daws |
| Birthdate | May 19, 1993 |
| Birthplace | Olathe, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | YouTube personality, prankster, entrepreneur |
| Years Active | 2012–present |
| Residence | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Kelly Gurley (née Cecil), married April 22, 2017 |
| Children | One publicly confirmed child: Myles Wade Gurley (b. 2021) |
| Notable Channels | BigDawsTv, BigDawsVlogs |
| Companies | BigDawsTv, LLC; co-owner of Ballmer Peak Media, LLC |
| Signature Moment | 2022 “Fake Klay Thompson” incident; lifetime ban from Chase Center |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $1–$1.1 million (estimates vary) |
Early Life: Kansas Roots and a Camera Dream
Born in Olathe, Kansas, on May 19, 1993, Dawson Gurley grew up chasing laughs and fast breaks. By age 11, films like Jackass had already planted a seed: the idea that a camera, a bold idea, and a bit of nerve could turn ordinary moments into viral lightning. At Olathe East High School, he played varsity basketball, a formative experience that sharpened his comfort with crowds and competition. After graduating in 2011, he moved to Arizona to attend Mesa Community College, transitioning from Tempe to Scottsdale as his creative career took flight.
Launching BigDawsTv: From Campus Pranks to Global Reach
In January 2012, Gurley launched BigDawsTv. The early videos leaned into playful social experiments—public pranks, drive-thru gags, lighthearted misunderstandings that ended with smiles and a shared joke. As the channel grew, he expanded to vlogging with BigDawsVlogs, inviting viewers to see the person behind the pranks: a husband, a father, a creator constantly iterating on what “entertainment” can mean.
- Style hallmarks: approachable humor, positive reveals, generosity-forward stunts.
- Reach: more than 8 million followers across platforms (older estimates), billions of cumulative views across uploads.
Viral Moments and Milestones
Gurley’s channel is a gallery of social fireworks: setups with real stakes and payoffs that amplify the humanity of strangers. Several videos crossed massive view thresholds, cementing his standing in the genre.
| Video Title | Approx. Year | Views (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Man Dropping $1,000,000 Prank!! | — | 78M+ |
| Nerd Balls on Strangers!! | — | 51M+ |
| Drive Thru Pranks!! | — | 46M+ |
A standout headline-grabber arrived in 2022, when Gurley—long known for resembling Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson—walked past multiple security checkpoints at the Chase Center in full “Fake Klay” mode and shot around on the court. The aftermath was immediate and definitive: a lifetime ban from Chase Center. The episode put his name everywhere, adding a controversial gloss to an otherwise buoyant repertoire.
The Business Behind the Laughs
Though Gurley’s brand is built on spontaneity, his operation is meticulously structured:
- BigDawsTv, LLC anchors his production and distribution.
- Co-ownership in Ballmer Peak Media, LLC reflects an entrepreneurial pivot toward broader media work.
- Revenue streams include YouTube ad share, sponsorships, branded integrations, and merchandise.
Estimates often place his net worth around $1–$1.1 million, noting that figures shift with ad rates, CPM changes, and upload cadence. The volatility of creator income is a feature, not a bug—and Gurley has ridden those waves with a pragmatic grip.
Family: The Heart of the Vlogs
Gurley’s family does more than cameo; they humanize the performer. He married Kelly (née Cecil) on April 22, 2017, a relationship that has steadily woven into his storytelling. Their son, Myles Wade, born in 2021, appears in light-touch moments: a shared laugh in the kitchen, a proud dad’s aside, a behind-the-scenes snapshot of a life beyond stunts.
In 2022, a public note suggested Kelly was expecting their third child. More recent references, however, consistently point only to Myles as publicly confirmed. The likely takeaway: the Gurleys choose privacy where it matters most.
| Family Member | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Gurley | Spouse | Married since 2017; frequent, supportive presence in vlogs. |
| Myles Wade Gurley | Son | Born in 2021; a gentle pivot point toward family-centered storytelling. |
| Greg Gurley | Uncle | Former University of Kansas basketball player (1990s), underscoring the family’s sports DNA. |
A Creator’s Arc: Hiatus, Reflection, Return
In April 2024, after years of relentless output, Gurley stepped away from YouTube, citing the need to recalibrate—more time for family, new projects, and a reset from the algorithm’s metronome. The pause sparked speculation, then perspective. In 2025, he returned, reintroducing himself with updates and inventive formats, including giveaways and golf-adjacent ventures like Dicey Golf. One standout comeback hook: “If You Catch The Keys, You Keep The Tesla!”—a quintessential Big Daws premise that marries spectacle with whimsy.
The throughline of the return is intent. It’s less about reclaiming a throne than rebuilding a rhythm, with fans cheering on the process as much as the product.
Style and Influence: Humor With a Soft Landing
What separates Gurley is the cadence of his reveals. Even his high-wire bits aim for a soft landing: the punchline is shared, not weaponized. His best videos play like a wink to social anxiety itself—what happens when a stranger breaks the script, and how quickly a smile can reset the scene.
- Tonal blend: bold set-ups, kind conclusions.
- Influences: Jackass energy, YouTube-era empathy, court-side theatrics.
- Collaboration and community: recurring appearances with other creators; charitable twists, surprise tips, spontaneous generosity.
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Birth | Olathe, Kansas |
| 2011 | High School Graduation | Olathe East; varsity basketball |
| 2012 | Channel Launch | BigDawsTv goes live |
| 2017 | Marriage | Weds Kelly |
| 2018 | Audience Peak (early milestone) | 8M+ combined followers (older estimates) |
| 2021 | Fatherhood | Son, Myles, is born |
| 2022 | Viral Controversy | “Fake Klay” incident; lifetime ban from Chase Center |
| 2024 | Hiatus | Steps back from YouTube to refocus |
| 2025 | Comeback | Returns with new series, giveaways, and golf-related projects |
Financial Snapshot
Gurley’s financial story mirrors the creator economy at large—diversified, data-driven, and performance-sensitive.
- Primary income: Ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- Business structure: BigDawsTv, LLC and Ballmer Peak Media, LLC.
- Estimated net worth: $1–$1.1 million, with fluctuations tied to uploads and market conditions.
- Reputation: No notable financial controversies; generous on-camera gifts and tips are a brand staple.
Recent Momentum and What’s Next
In 2025, Gurley’s social feeds turned the lights back on: a measured cadence of uploads, “I’M BACK” energy, and experiments that reflect a matured playbook. He remains rooted in Arizona, where the sun-drenched landscapes have become as familiar as his hoodie and cap. The creative challenge now is evolution—honoring his prankster core while building formats that age well, travel far, and feel fresh.
FAQ
Who is Dawson Gurley?
He’s an American YouTuber and prankster better known as “Big Daws,” recognized for public pranks and vlogs.
When did BigDawsTv start?
He launched BigDawsTv in 2012 and has created viral content for more than a decade.
Is he married?
Yes, he married Kelly (née Cecil) on April 22, 2017.
Does he have children?
One publicly confirmed child, a son named Myles born in 2021.
Why was he banned from the Chase Center?
In 2022, after entering the arena as “Fake Klay Thompson” and shooting on the court, he received a lifetime ban from Chase Center.
Did he quit YouTube?
He announced a hiatus in 2024, then returned in 2025 with new videos and projects.
What is his estimated net worth?
Estimates commonly place it around $1–$1.1 million, though creator earnings can fluctuate.
