Canadian-born Alex Debogorski who is also known as Alex from the Ice Road Truckers is one of many that rose to fame through their appearance on reality TV, yet he is now involved with radio presentations, public speaking, politics, and writing about his experience following the show’s hiatus. Through his exploits as an ice road trucker, Alex garnered a huge following and earned an Emmy nomination for his appearance on the show. Though he is no longer seen on screen showcasing all the wild adventures, Alex has shared his experience in King of the Road: True Tales from a Legendary Ice Road Trucker and also in the Yellowknifer, a local newspaper.
Prior to this, he had appeared on IRT Deadliest Roads. Aside from this, he has showcased a tender side of himself as a proud family man. Alex is a father of 11 children whom he shares with Louise, his wife of over five decades. While this may seem to be too much for a man that first stole the hearts of many with his passionate, articulate, strong opinions on screen, there is so much to know about him.
Alex from the Ice Road Truckers is Still a Trucker cum Writer, OAP, and Public Speaker
Following the long hiatus of the History Channel’s Ice Road Truckers, many of the stars have managed to stay off the radar but this is not the case with Alex Debogorski as can be seen in many activities he is engaged in.
It would be recalled that Alex brought his years of experience as a trucker to the screen of many homes when he started appearing on the show in 2007. While on the show, he and other stars like Hugh Rowland, Lisa Kelly, and Thom Beers showcased the danger of transporting vital supplies to remote areas and all the risks involved. The show runs seasonally during the winter season when the ice is quite a threat.
Through Alex’s charisma, he soon became one of the central characters in the plot of the reality series as they journey across Alaska and Canada. He appeared on the show from 2007 till 2017 when it went on a hiatus after the 11th episode. Howbeit no news of the show’s cancellation was made, a 12th season was shelved due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.
As it is, the 71-year-old is still involved with ice road trucking. Notably, he is likened to the American actor and movie maker, John Wayne with the moniker, John Wayne of Truck Driving.
Debogorski Shares his Experiences through His Writings and on Radio
Away from this, he has continued to share details about ice trucking through various channels. As early as 2011, he released his tell-all book, King of the Road: True Tales from a Legendary Ice Road Trucker. Aside from this, he also writes for the Yellowknifer, a local paper.
In 2022, he started presenting on a segment known as Tale Lights on TNCRadio.LIVE. His time on air is filled with stories about his time on the road. Away from this, he gives back to his community by raising awareness of trucking during public events.
He is Also Involved in Politics
Over the years, the reality tv star has advocated for aspiring and full-time truckers to gain more knowledge by going to school and becoming politically active. According to him, they will be able to lobby for issues that affect them. He also took his own advice by launching into politics. In a 2022 Instagram update, he revealed his desire to run for mayor.
A Close Look at His Life Before Fame
As you would find, he was born Alex Debogorski on August 4, 1953, in Berwyn, Alberta to Irene and Stanley who are of Polish origin. His father worked as a paratrooper during world war II while his mother was more vested in academic life as she is known to have studied mathematics and music at Cambridge.
After his parents met and got married in London, they moved to Alberta and settled on a farm where Alex and his four siblings grew up. His experience growing up on a farm made him quite the handyman. Unsurprisingly, Alex tried his hands at many things including working at a tire store, driving taxis, club bouncer, oil rigger, coal miner as well as a coal and diamond prospector.
Focusing on his education, Alex is an alum of the University of Alberta.
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He became a Truck Driver at the Age of 19…
Having tried so many things, Alex discovered trucking in 1972 and since he ventured into this area of his life, it has defined him more than anything else. This we can say is realizing his childhood dream of being a superhero and according to him, he achieved this as well as being a real ass.
Though he ventured into other lines of business as mentioned earlier, he remained committed to trucking which eventually led him to buy his first truck in 1980. As a trucker, Alex revealed that he gets scared of driving on icy roads but he has learned to respect the weather and listen to the ice.
…And Made his Debut Reality Show Appearance on IRT’s Deadliest Roads
Prior to his time on Ice Road Truckers, Alex had made an appearance on another daring reality show, Deadliest Roads. Apparently, it was his first time appearing on screen to show his skills as a truck driver in about 100 episodes of the show.
The Alberta Native has Been Married to Louise Debogorski since 1972
Away from his skilled truck driving on ice, Alex has enjoyed a successful marriage that lasted decades with Louise. Interestingly, they got married in 1972, about the same time that Alex ventured into trucking. Thus, we may not be wrong to indicate that she is indeed one of his secrets to success as she has been beside him since the beginning.
He and Louise moved to Yellowknife in 1976 and since then, the family made up of 11 children-Andrew, Shielo, Ezekiel, Nelson, Amelia, Dominic, Curtis, Gianna, Juliane, Benjamin, and Alexander- and many grandchildren have remained important members of the community.
Also, the family man holds onto a strict catholic faith which he shares with other members of his family. This explains his strong desire to live healthily after he had a health scare some years back and after he lost his son, Andrew in a fire accident in 2019.
