Danny Kroker is known for many things. He is a man known for following his passions, no matter how many that may be. Kroker never sacrificed his wants in life, however, he simply pursued them all. He's a reality TV star, a mechanic, and even a musician.
While he is most well known for his work on the popular reality show, Counting Cars, there's much more to Kroker than some people realize. He is the one behind the production and writing on the show, as well as the customization of vehicles. Danny Kroker can seemingly do it all. To learn more aboutthe talented mechanic and musician, keep reading and learn 15 surprising facts about Danny Kroker of Count's Kustoms.
15 He Practically Despises To Work On Newer Cars
It is obvious Kroker is one big car fanatic. But that doesn't mean he loves all cars. In fact, he's been known to turn away requests to work on newer vehicles, preferring instead to work on classics. His choice to almost always turn away the opportunity to retrofit more modern vehicles says that he prefers the simplicity of yesteryear. This ideal works for Kroker, who is successful at taking the old and making it new and creatively customized.
14 He's A Self-Taught Mechanic
Not only is Kroker a talented and dedicated mechanic, but he's also self-taught. When you think about his success with Count's Kustoms, and not to mention Pawn Stars and Counting Cars, it's crazy to realize he had no real formal mechanic training. His talent is real, and it shows.
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13 He Grew Up In Both Cleveland And Detroit
Kroker was born on January 5th, in the year of 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a kid, he haunted both Cleveland and Detroit, which is a far cry from his now-home, Las Vegas, Nevada. After attending high school, he enrolled in the University of Nevada, which paved his way to becoming the reality TV mechanic he is now.
If asked, Kroker does get a bit sentimental, Cleveland and Detroit will always have a place in his heart.
12 You Can Get A Tattoo In A Shop Owned By Danny
Are you heading to the Las Vegas, Nevada area? Are you in the market for a tattoo? You may want to get your artwork done by the talented people at Count's Tattoo, located at The Rio. You can email them with a description of the tattoo you're after, and then let Kroker's teamwork their talent on your body. Check out their gallery!
It seems that Kroker got more than his love for cars from his dad. While Kroker probably picked up a few useful mechanic tricks from his dad, he credits his deceased dad for his passion for music. His dad worked along with some great talent, such as the Oakridge Boys and the Cathedral Quartet.
Kroker grew up singing and performed at Carnegie Hall since the age of 11. Today, he is the lead singer in a band called Count's 77.
10 You May Have Eaten In His Kitchen (Or At Least His Restaurant)
Whilevisiting Vegas, one can certainly go on a Danny Kroker tour. From seeing his band play live, to getting a tattoo in his shop, to eating in his restaurant, there seems to be a full day's worth of Kroker-themed fun for any fan.
Located just under 5 miles from the Las Vegas strip, Kroker's restaurant, Count's Vamp'd Rock Bar & Grill, touts good food, drinks, and atmosphere for any Count's Kustoms or Danny Kroker fan.
9 His Work Was Once On Criss Angel Mindfreak
If you go to Las Vegas, or just enjoy a fun TV show full of wild performances and a bit of mystery and magic, you may have heard of Criss Angel Mindfreak. It's true that back in 2006, Kroker himself was on the show.
Angel wanted to incorporate motorcycles into his show, and Count's Kustoms was the shop that did the dirty work. Kroker and his team built a bike for Angel and Angel proceeded to blow our minds with the Death Trap trick.
8 Not Only Is He On Pawn Stars, But He Also Appeared On American Restoration
Kroker is a busy, busy man. His IMDb credits are extensive. He's been on Pawn Stars. He's hosted Counting Cars, and between the two, he was on American Restoration. His roles don't end at being an actor, though. He's also credited as the writer and producer of Counting Cars.
7 He Owns More Than 100 Cars
So you think you love cars? If you do, you probably fancy yourself a collector, or at least wish you were one. And even if you are a big collector, you probably don't have nearly as many cars, trucks, or motorcycles as Danny Kroker.
According to an interview with Review Journal's Christopher Lawrence, Danny reported owning over 110 vehicles. He also is reported to have said, "… I'm an addict… I need an intervention…"
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6 Once He Sets His Sights On A Car Or Motorcycle, He'll Do Whatever It Takes To Own It
Kroker knows the business, and he knows vehicles. According to History.com, Kroker is so driven by the great car hunt that "whenever he sees a vehicle he loves, he'll do whatever it takes to get it." It's no wonder his collection has multiplied to be in the 100's today. Kroker shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
5 You'll Probably Never See Him Without His Headband
Many people have wondered, what is the deal with Kroker's headband? The piece has sparked internet debate, with some people speculating the cover-up of a bad tattoo. The answer is surprisingly simple; the man behind Count's Kustoms is vain and doesn't want fans to see his receding hairline.
4 He Used To Host A Show About B-Grade Horror Films
Danny "Count" Kroker cut his teeth in television as a host of a show that featured B-horror movies. Known as "Count Cool Rider," Danny hosted this local channel gem calledSaturday Fright at the Moviesfor 2 seasons before it was over in 1991.
3 He Values Performance Over The Environment
Some car owners buy their next vehicle based on factors such as emissions and gas mileage. Not Kroker. During an interview on the Canadian The Morning Show, Kroker stated, "if it gets four miles to the gallon and has 800 horsepower, I'm thrilled". So don't expect any of his 100+ car collection to include green vehicles or those that run on alternative power sources. Take that, environmentalists!
2 His Dream Car? A Lamborghini
The fact that Kroker is a fan of Lamborghini isn't super surprising. As we mention in this article, he appreciates older vehicles and isn't too concerned with the environment. Getting his hands on his perfect car, the 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, has proven difficult, however, and the classic car is increasingly hard to find.
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1 For Being Famous, He's Really Very Private
Finding details about Danny Kroker is not that hard. Some quick searches will bring up his history of being a reality TV star, as well as a talented mechanic and business owner. However, there are still somethings about Kroker that he prefers to keep quiet. If you take a look at his social media, it's devoid of personal information.
Many people don't know that Kroker is married, and some people may still believe in the recent internet hoax about his wife of almost 20 years who died in a car accident. This sad rumor was debunked, and we now know she's still alive and well. What many people are surprised to find out, is that even after a long-term marriage, Kroker and wife are without children.
NEXT:14 Best Restorations From Counting Cars (5 That Missed The Mark)