Dave Hester is adored by his fans on social media despite playing the role of a villain onStorage Wars. He was raised in a military family and began working at a young age, starting his career in the auction industry in the 1980s. Originally from Oceanside and now 60 years old,Dave initially started working with his father,helping him with garage sales and swap meets. Heexpanded his expertise and became a licensed auctioneerin the 1990s. During that time, Dave also established a store called Newport Consignment Gallery and an auction house, Dave Hester Auctions.
Dave made his debut onStorage Warsin 2010. He became known for his aggressive bidding style, which generated mixed reactions from viewers.Dave enjoyed stirring up dramaon the show by encouraging other bidders to compete, making his segments highly anticipated. As the years passed, Dave became a prominent member of the cast. Some of his most memorable moments involved conflicts with his co-stars, including Darrell Sheets, Jarrod Schulz, and Brandi Passante. One ofDave’s famous finds was a collection of newspapers from the day Elvis Presley died, which he was able to sell for a high resale value.
Dave Hester Was The Series' Villain
David Is Known As An Aggressive Bidder
Dave’s behavior made him a standout on the show, but it also earned him a reputation as a villain in the eyes of viewers. His aggressive, strategic, and disruptive bidding strategies earned him many critics, ultimately making him one ofthe most controversial characters onStorage Wars. Dave’s most common tactic has been to bid solely to drive up the prices for other bidders. Heoften bids on storage lockers with no intention of actually buying them, simply to disrupt the competition. Viewers frequently watch as Dave uses his signature catchphrase,“YUUUP!“while bidding to drive prices even higher.
Dave instigated conflicts with his co-stars, creating a negative atmosphere on the show.
He engaged in verbal arguments with Darrell,mocked Jarrod and Brandi, and teased Barry. He delighted in confronting and demeaning others, making the bidding process unpleasant for everyone. Dave’s arrogance and tendency to speak negatively about others also received a lot of backlash on social media. However, hisstrategic approach and competitive spirit also earned him admiration, making him a polarizing figure. It’s fair to say that Dave caused division among fans with his behavior, solidifying his reputation as the most controversial cast member in history.
Dave Accused Producers Of “Seeding” Lockers With Interesting Items
Dave & The Producers Resolved Their Differences
Dave has been involved in many notable moments inStorage Wars, but his most dramatic one took place off the show. In 2012,Dave had a dispute with the show’s producers, leading to clashes with the network and production company over personal issues. This ultimately resulted in him filing a lawsuit against both entities. Dave made bold claims and revealed some behind-the-scenes secrets,alleging that producers planted certain items in lockers to enhance the show’s entertainment value. He also claimed the producers heavily scripted and manipulated the events on the show.
Dave complained about how the producers had wrongfully terminated his contract because he had chosen to expose bad practices. He also claimed that certain female cast members received free plastic surgeries and fashion upgrades. Dave sought damages for his treatment on the show and his wrongful termination. The network and producers denied all allegations. In 2014,Dave and the show’s production company settled outside of court, resulting in Dave’s surprising return inStorage Warsseason 5. Viewers never learned the specifics of how Dave and the producers resolved their differences.
Dave’s A Foodie Who’s Still Running His Business
Dave Loves Trying Out Different Food Options
Dave isn’t very active on social media, but he has still gained a few thousand followers on Instagram. He enjoyssharing food-related content on his social media and reviewing various fooditems. In January 2025,Daveposted a video of himself trying dungeness crab at Fisherman’s Wharf. He was seated outdoors, appearing to enjoy the seafood with a big smile on his face. Some ofDave’s other posts suggest that he also loves marking special occasions with sweets. A few years ago, he celebrated National Donut Day by treating himself to a box full of donuts.
In addition to posting food content online, Dave primarily focuses on his business, Dave Hester Auctions.
He established his company in Southern California, near the Orange County area. He is involved in various aspects of the auction industry, includingestate sales, business liquidations, government seizures, and storage unit auctions. Dave is a state-licensed auctioneer with extensive experience in the field. He closed his previous business, Newport Consignment Gallery, in 2011. Nevertheless, his current company, Dave Hester Auctions, has been thriving and experiencing significant growth over the past decade.
Dave Hester Is Returning To Storage Wars Season 16
Dave Is Set To Make His Comeback On June 28, 2025
Dave is one of the few original cast members ofStorage Warswho have remained part of the show over the years. The network recently announced that Dave will be returning forStorage Warsseason 16. It’ll be interesting to see the type of drama Dave will bring to the new season. Many viewers will surely appreciate watching him exclaim his iconic phrase,“YUUUP,“as he stirs up new controversies. With the newseason featuring longer episodes, Dave will have ample time to keep his co-stars on their toes.
While Dave is back onStorage Wars, it isn’t unreasonable to assume that he may not be able to continue for the next ten seasons. At the age of 60, Dave is at a stage wherehe might consider retirement, as filming the show can be challengingand tiring. Despite being in great shape, he is no longer as young as he was when the show first premiered nearly 15 years ago. Hopefully,Storage Warsseason 16 won’t be Dave’s last, and viewers will continue to watch in future seasons.
Storage WarsSeason 16 will premiere on Saturday, June 05, 2025, at 9 PM ET/PT on A&E.
