Rolf Aurness Biography
Rolf Aurness is a popular American surfer who defeated the 1970 World Surfing Championships held at Johanna in Victoria, Australia, defeating Midget Farrelly in the finals. He is the celebrity son of the prominent Gunsmoke actor James Arness.
10 Quick Facts About Rolf Aurness
- Name: Rolf Aurness
- Age: 40 Years Old
- Birthday: February 18
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Surfer, Businessman
- Marital Status: Widower
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $1.5 million
Rolf Aurness Age
Aurness is 40 years old. He was born on February 18, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 18 February every year and his birth sign is Aquarius.
Rolf Aurness Height
Aurness stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall.
Rolf Aurness Weight
Aurness has a moderate weight. However, details regarding her actual weight and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We will update this section when the information is available.
Early Life and Education
Aurness was born on February 18, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He was raised by his father James Arness and his mother Virginia Chapman. He grew up with his two siblings namely; Craig Aurness, and Jenny Lee Aurness. He holds American nationality.
Aurness’s parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised mainly by his father. Regarding his education, he attended a local school in Los Angeles, California, and graduated with a diploma from Santa Monica High School in 1970. He later pursued a career in surfing and became a proficient surfer in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he won the World Surfing Championship in 1970.
At that same time, he started acting. He made his acting debut in the 1971 television film known as “The High Chaparral,” in which he appeared along with his father. He went on to star in a number of other films and television shows, such as “The A-Team,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” and “Hawaii Five-O.”
In the late 1970s, he quit acting and sought a career in business. He established a number of thriving companies, such as a production company and a real estate development company.
Rise to Fame
Aurness rose to fame through the 1970 World Surfing Championships held at Johanna in Victoria, Australia, when he defeated Midget Farrelly in the finals. He also rose to fame as the son of the prominent Gunsmoke actor James Arness.
Rolf Aurness Parents
Aurness was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, United States as the son of his father James Arness, and his mother Virginia Chapman. His father was the famous Gunsmoke actor. Unfortunately; he passed away on June 3, 2011, from natural causes at the age of 88 years at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles. On the other hand, his mother passed away in 1977 from an accidental drug overdose.
Rolf Aurness Siblings
Aurness has two siblings namely; Craig Aurness, and Jenny Lee Aurness. His sister Jenny Lee passed away from an evidently intentional drug overdose in 1975 while his adopted brother, Craig, launched the stock photography agency Westlight. He was also a photographer for National Geographic.
Rolf Aurness Wife
Aurness was happily married to his lovely whose details are currently not publicly available. The location of their meeting and the manner in which they married are currently not publicly available. It is also not known if they had any children. However, it is known that his wife passed away in 1978 due to cancer. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Rolf Aurness Children
Any information about Aurnes’s children is currently not publicly available. We will update this section as soon as the information is available.
Rolf Aurness Net Worth
Aurness has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Surfer. Through his various sources of income, Aurness has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Rolf Aurness Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Rolf Aurness.
Rolf Aurness Wiki
- Full Names: Rolf Aurness
- Popular As: Surfer
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Surfer, Businessman
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: To be Updated
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straght
Rolf Aurness Birthday
- Age: 40 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Date of Birth: February 18, 1952
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Birthday: February 18
Rolf Aurness Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: To be Updated
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Chest Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
- Hip Size: To be Updated
Rolf Aurness Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): James Arness
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Craig Aurness, and Jenny Lee Aurness
- Marital Status: Widower
- Dating / Girlfriend: None
- Children: To be Updated
Rolf Aurness Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $1.5 million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Surfer, Businessman, Celebrity Son
Career
Aurness’s passion for surfing was kindled at an early age, motivated by his father, the prominent actor James Arness. Aurness suffered a skull fracture at the age of nine, and as a result of this, his father urged him to pursue surfing as a form of therapy. This catastrophic decision changed Aurness’s life, setting him on the path to becoming a world-class surfer.
Under the direction of his father, Aurness undertook a tough surfing training regimen. He regularly partook in dawn sessions at beaches, immersed in long-distance swimming, and undertook weekend excursions to surfing hotspots such as Hollister Ranch.
Further, they made regular trips to Hawaii, where they stayed at Mākaha Beach, a sanctuary for legendary surfers. His breakthrough came in 1970 when he won the World Surfing Championships, beating the challenging Midget Farrelly in the finals.
At that same time, he started acting. He made his acting debut in the 1971 television film known as “The High Chaparral,” in which he appeared along with his father. He went on to star in a number of other films and television shows, such as “The A-Team,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” and “Hawaii Five-O.”
In the late 1970s, he quit acting and sought a career in business. He established a number of thriving companies, such as a production company and a real estate development company.
Movies
- ISF World Surfing Championships (1964)
- Pacific Vibrations (1970)
- Blue Cool (1972)
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
- Established the Rolf Aurness Foundation, which supports a variety of causes, such as education, environmental conservation, and youth development.
- Contributed millions of dollars to support ocean preservation efforts.
- Served on the boards of numerous organizations, such as the Hawaii Youth Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation.
- A frequent speaker at community and school events.
- Raised money for disaster relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters.
- Provided support to victims of violence and abuse.
- Coached youth sports teams.
Rolf Aurness Awards, Accomplishments and Achievements
- Aurness won the inaugural International Surfing Championship held at Makaha, Hawaii in 1954
- He proclaimed the California State Surfing Championship title in 1957
- Aurness won twice at the California State Surfing Championship in 1958
- He captured the World Surfing Championship title, cementing his position as a global surfing icon in 1959
- Aurness attained the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku Trophy, awarded to the surfer who best exemplifies the spirit of surfing in 1960
- Aurness was one of the first surfers to successfully ride the hollow, powerful waves of Oahu’s North Shore, displaying his extraordinary skill and pioneering spirit.
- He was recognized for his innovative surfing style, presenting new techniques and maneuvers that set the standard for future generations of surfers.
- Aurness’s achievements in major surfing competitions, such as the California State Surfing Championship and the World Surfing Championship, solidified his position as a surfing legend.
Hobbies and Personal Interests
- Surfing: Aurness is an American surfer who is well known for his love of big waves and his adventurous spirit.
- Photography and filmmaker: Aurness is also an accomplished photographer and filmmaker. He has used his talents to document his surfing adventures and to share the beauty of the ocean with others.
- Environmental activism: Aurness is a passionate champion for protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. He is a founding member of the Surfrider Foundation, an organization that works to safeguard the environment via advocacy and education.
- Motivational speaking: He shares his story of overwhelming adversity and pursuing his dreams with audiences of all ages.
- Traveling: He has been surfing since he was a kid and has traveled all over the globe to surf the biggest and most challenging waves.
- Spending time with family and friends: He loves spending his free time with his family and friends.
Final Thought
He is a survivor. He has faced many challenges in his life, but he has always persevered. He is grateful for the strength he has found within himself and is excited to use his experiences to help others.
Rolf Aurness Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
Related Biographies
You may also like to read the Bio, Career, Family, Relationship, Body measurements, Net worth, Achievements, and more about:
- Rolf Harris
- Peter Graves
- Corey Graves
- Matt Poole
- James Patrick Huggins
- Mahina Alexander
- Evan James Springsteen
- Malia Jones
- James Arness
- Eltony Williams
- Mike Faiola
- Jim Courier