Robert Kelly Slater was born on February 11, 1972, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, a perfect location for a future surf star to start out. But with Florida’s small waves, as Slater became more competitive starting out in Florida was actually a disadvantage. Slater still maintains a residence in Cocoa Beach to this day. The five foot nine, 160 pound athlete also understandably has a residence in Hawaii. His great athletic abilities are also mixed with his great looks. In 1992, Kelly Slater was named one of People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people. He has also been a model for Versace.
In addition to being a surfing genius, Kelly Slater has dabbled in the entertainment business. In 1992 he spent a year as the character Jimmy on the television show Baywatch. His career there was scrutinized by other surfers who thought he was selling out and disrespecting surfing. In addition, Slater had a bit part in the film One Night at McCool’s in 2001, which starred Liv Tyler and Matt Dillon.
He’s also produced a film, Jack Johnson’s September Sessions, a surf film that follows four surfers including Kelly Slater and Jack Johnson, while they surf and hang out. The soundtrack features the music of Jack Johnson, who in addition to being a surfer friend of Kelly Slater’s, is a successful musician.
Kelly Slater’s talents don’t end there, however. In the 1990s he became the lead singer for a band, The Surfers. The band has released an album, Songs from the Pipe, and at one point even appeared on the same bill as Pearl Jam. The Surfers toured and were wildly popular in Japan.
Of course, someone this single, talented, athletic, and good looking could have his pick of women. He has dated another Baywatch star, Pamela Anderson. The relationship was on and off again for a while, and there were even rumors of a pending wedding, but the couple eventually broke up.
His most recent relationship has been with supermodel Gisele Bundchen. The Brazilian model is one of Victoria Secret’s Angels and also the former girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio.
Slater has one daughter, named Taylor. Slater has gotten her up on a surfboard and she seems to have taken to the water quite well. Jack Johnson has even written a song about a Taylor, which might possibly be describing his childhood friend’s daughter.
In July of 2006, The New York Daily news reported that Kelly Slater and Gisele Bundchen broke off their relationship. Bundchen began dating NFL New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in late 2007.
Slater has written an autobiography called Pipe Dreams. The book not only delves into the surfer’s career, but also his life and challenges. One thing is sure, in his autobiography Slater expresses his gratefulness to a lot of people.
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