Richard Charles Kyanka was born on November 5, 1976, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He showed an interest in computers and technology from a young age, spending hours on his family's first computer learning how to code and create websites.
After graduating from high school, Kyanka attended Vanderbilt University. It was during his time at college that he discovered his passion for writing and comedy, which would later lead him to create Something Awful.
In the early 2000s, Kyanka founded the comedy website Something Awful. What started as a personal project quickly gained popularity on the internet, attracting a large following of users who enjoyed the site's unique humor and content.
As Something Awful grew in popularity, Kyanka expanded the site to include contributions from other writers and creators. The site became known for its irreverent humor, satirical articles, and forum discussions on a wide range of topics.
On the site, Kyanka was known by his nickname "Lowtax", a reference to a Tennessee politician who infamously murdered his opponent. Despite the controversial nature of his moniker, Kyanka's sense of humor and wit endeared him to the site's community.
In 2015, Kyanka married Ashli Kathleen, whom he credits as being a source of support and inspiration throughout his career. Together, they have built a life filled with laughter, creativity, and shared passions.
Richard Charles Kyanka's innovative approach to online comedy and community building has had a lasting impact on internet culture. His creation of Something Awful paved the way for future humor websites and inspired a new generation of online content creators.
Kyanka is often compared to other influential website creators, such as Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. Both Kyanka and Ohanian have carved out unique spaces in the digital world, fostering communities of like-minded individuals who share a love of humor, creativity, and connection.