There is some confusion over his birthdate. Most common sources list it as August 20, 1970. However, a fan biography claims his birth year was 1971, and the All Music Guide biography lists two birthdates: August 20, 1971 and December 4, 1971. The reason for the confusion is unknown.

Fred Durst was born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. The son of a policeman, he was raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he lived until his teens. After high school, he returned to Jacksonville for brief service in the United States Navy, and later married Rachel Tergesen at age 20. He and his wife had one daughter, Adriana, but the couple was divorced soon after Durst discovered that his wife had a sexual affair during their marriage. He was later incarcerated for a month for assaulting his wife's partner.

After jail, Durst spent a short while in North Carolina as a sponsored skateboarder, and later in Jacksonville as a tattoo artist. Together with Sam Rivers, Wes Borland, and John Otto, Durst formed the band Limp Bizkit in 1994. Later on, and to much derision, DJ Lethal of House Of Pain was added to the line up.

With Limp Bizkit, Fred Durst created a number of new hits, including "Nookie", "Break Stuff", "Take A Look Around", "Rollin'" and "My Generation". He directed almost all of his band's music videos, as well as videos for Korn's "Falling Away From Me" and Staind's "It's Been Awhile" and "Just Go". Limp Bizkit also released a cover of George Michael's late '80s hit, "Faith".

Fred Durst's favorite bands are Tool, KISS, Wu Tang Clan, Blondie, Smashing Pumpkins and Suicidal Tendencies. . He has cited Maynard James Keenan, Mike Patton, and Ice Cube as main vocal inspirations.

Durst was involved in controversy upon the death of Australian teenager Jessica Michalik who was crushed to death at the Sydney Big Day Out concert where Limp Bizkit played in 2001.

Many original fans as of late have dropped their loyalty to Durst but not always to the rest of his band. Stories of Durst have created a negative connotation and in many cases have developed an "Anti-Fred Durst movement", mostly due to his outspoken, irreverent and controversial outbursts. Additionally, Limp Bizkit's intense popularity has labeled the band, and Durst, as sell-outs. Popular heavy metal website Encyclopaedia Metallum also refers to their banning process as being "Dursted", named after Durst who is considered a blight upon heavy metal. Various musical artists have also cited their differences with Fred Durst, such as guitarist Zakk Wylde and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.

Durst is notorious for his love life. He has either dated or reported to have dated various Playboy playmates and celebrities such as Alyssa Milano, Geri Halliwell, Christina Aguilera, Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson, Halle Berry, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Thora Birch.

In February 2005, a three minute composite of video clips of Durst having sex was leaked to the Internet after the video clip was taken from his computer's hard disk . The video also revealed that he had a Prince Albert piercing, although he was not wearing the jewelry.

He also had a minor role in the mini-series Revelations, playing the role of Odgen. He is expected to star as a policeman in the upcoming movie Population 436 with Jeremy Sisto.

Durst also chairs his own record label, Flawless Records, a division of Geffen Records. It has signed such bands as Puddle of Mudd, The Revolution Smile, Ringside, Staind and She Wants Revenge.

Durst also has a son, Dallas Durst, born August 30, 2001. .

He is currently engaged (since January 2006) to Leyla Bearman