Rutledge Wood

Biography

Rutledge Wood is an American television host, analyst, and commentator, best known for his work on the Netflix series Floor is Lava and The American Barbecue Showdown. Born on April 22, 1980, in Birmingham, Alabama, Wood developed a passion for cars and motorsports from a young age, inspired by his father, who bought, restored, and sold vehicles. This early exposure led him to a career that blended entertainment with his love for automobiles and racing.

Wood moved to Peachtree City, Georgia, at age 15 and later graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in marketing. His television career began shortly after college when he joined the NASCAR scene, first working with CMT on a mobile marketing activation. He later became a correspondent for SPEED TV (now part of Fox Sports), covering NASCAR for over a decade. He was notably a host on shows like NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Smarts, among others.

In 2010, Wood gained wider recognition as one of the hosts of the American version of Top Gear, alongside Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust. He continued to host Top Gear for several seasons and expanded his TV portfolio by hosting other popular series such as Lost in Transmission and Southern and Hungry.

His most significant television role, however, came in 2020 when he became the host of Floor is Lava, a lighthearted and family-friendly competition show on Netflix. The show, which challenges contestants to navigate a house of obstacles without falling into a floor of "lava," became an instant hit, particularly during the pandemic, and was quickly renewed for multiple seasons​.

Wood is also a host on The American Barbecue Showdown, where he combines his love for food with his hosting skills. Outside of television, he is known for his enthusiasm for car culture and regularly engages with fans on social media,

Wood has managed to carve out a unique niche in the entertainment industry by combining humor, automotive expertise, and a knack for making viewers smile, making him a beloved figure in both the automotive and TV communities.