Jan 13 2025
Rudy Ruettiger is an Emmy Award-winning motivational keynote speaker, author, and producer with over 25 years of experience speaking to people and organizations for corporate, private, and special events.
Rudy Ruettiger is a football legend known for his underdog story showcased in the hit classic RUDY. Since his days at Notre Dame, Rudy has become an Emmy Award winner, inductee into the Speakers Hall of Fame, and honoree of numerous other awards. He is well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Rudy Ruettiger is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Rudy Ruettiger’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to book Rudy Ruettiger for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the nation’s best example of a true underdog success story. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from the valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacle of success. Today, Rudy is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States.
But before all of that, Rudy served in the United States Navy for two years after graduating from high school. He then worked in a power plant for another two years before finally applying to Notre Dame.
Instead, he enrolled and attended Holy Cross College. During his time studying at Holy Cross, Rudy discovered a reason for his difficulties in school – he had dyslexia. After two years, in the fall of 1974, Notre Dame accepted his application to be a student on his fourth try.
Regardless of the winding path, Rudy was one step closer to his dream of playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Despite being undersized at 5 ft 6 in and 165 lb, he walked onto Notre Dame’s football team and earned a place on the Notre Dame scout team, a squad that helps the varsity team practice for games.
In Rudy’s last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, head coach Dan Devine put him into a game as a defensive end against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. While in the movie RUDY Devine is given a somewhat antagonistic role, he was the one who came up with the idea to put Rudy in the game.
As fans cheered his name, RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. Following the game, Rudy was carried off the field by his teammates becoming the first player of only two players in Notre Dame history to be honored in this way. In 1993, his story was immortalized in the blockbuster film, RUDY.
Today, as an Emmy award-winning and highly sought-after motivational speaker, Rudy entertains audiences with a unique, passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He speaks to corporations, universities, sports teams, and many other organizations, with the same unbreakable enthusiasm he brought to football. His captivating personality and powerful messaging stays with his audiences forever.
In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has appeared on numerous nationally televised talk shows & radio shows across the country and co-authored several books, including Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life, Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions, Rudy & Friends, The Rudy in You, Rudy: My Story, and Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On.
Recently, Rudy performed his one-man show, Dream Big Rudy Ruettiger Live on Broadway at the Samuel Friedman Theatre in New York. In addition, Rudy’s new documentary titled, Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On won several Emmy Awards for Best Director and Best Documentary.
Find out how to hire Rudy Ruettiger to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Rudy Ruettiger’s availability and cost. When booking Rudy Ruettiger for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Rudy Ruettiger is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Rudy Ruettiger booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Rudy Ruettiger depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Rudy Ruettiger for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Rudy Ruettiger is available for conferences, festivals, private parties, and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
Our speakers are in high demand! View their upcoming events.
Millions have been inspired by the movie RUDY, now let the man behind the movie inspire YOU!
Rudy’s presentation is choreographed to a video production that brings the audience to their feet every time!
His life story and experience are full of valuable information that teach audiences how to build valuable relationships within an organization, overcome challenges, find their strengths, learn from their setbacks, and create positive forward momentum.
Rudy will focus his message on the needs of your group and the mission of your team. If you would like to discuss tailoring Rudy’s speech to your audience, schedule a Zoom call with Rudy and the MPG team. Rudy is also available for Q&As, meet & greets, memorabilia & autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and special guest appearances following his presentation.
Rudy explores the idea of having a dream, building that dream, remaining steady on the course, overcoming obstacles, and staying inspired along the way.
In this keynote, Rudy talks about designing your own future – how to focus your thoughts and the importance of building relationships.
Rudy entertains the audience with video highlights of his life story as portrayed in the nationally-acclaimed feature film RUDY, and shares the insights he learned along the way.
Having met Rudy and exchanging mutual philosophies, I find him to be an individual of exceptional character and broad goodwill. His resolve stands as a testament to the enduring belief that an individual can rise above extraordinary obstacles to achieve a positive result in this incredibly competitive world. – Sylvester Stallone
Thank you for speaking at our Region One Annual Lenders Meeting. Many, many of our lenders and other guests have been calling me or writing notes to let us know how much they enjoyed your presentation. Some stated how they have already put some of your ideas to work in their lives. We will also be placing a rather large order for additional books. The requests are still flowing in. – Daniel J. Mekemson, First Vice President, Firstar Home Mortgage Corporation
Rudy has impacted millions of American lives by being an example of perseverance, determination, and diligence. He is a man that has shown strength of heart and amazing spirit in times that are not always kind. He has become an example of what people, young or old, can aspire to become. – Kenny C. Guinn, Governor
The speech was arousing success, with Rudy getting two sustained standing ovations. He really was great! He has developed into a top-notch motivational speaker, who speaks from his heart and really connects with his audience. It could not have been better. I am going to recommend Rudy to some companies that I know bring in motivational speakers. – James E. Musurca, Attorney At Law
