If you spent any time watching Animal Planet in the early 2010s, you definitely remember the "Live Action!" yell. Ernie Brown Jr., the man the world knows as Turtleman, wasn't just a TV star; he was a whole mood. Shaggy hair, missing teeth, and a fearless habit of diving into muddy Kentucky ponds to wrestle snapping turtles with his bare hands. He was authentic. But then the show Call of the Wildman vanished, and the internet started doing what it does best—whispering.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately.
Ernie Brown Jr still alive? Yes. He is. Despite the periodic death hoaxes that seem to bubble up on Facebook every six months, the Kentucky legend is still kicking, still yelling, and still very much connected to his roots in Marion County.
The Reality of the Legend Today
Living off the grid is kind of Ernie's thing, but "off the grid" doesn't mean "gone." In early 2026, Ernie is still a fixture in his hometown of Lebanon, Kentucky. You might find him at the local post office responding to fan mail or grabbing a coffee at a local shop. He’s 60 now, and while the years of wrestling 40-pound snappers and getting hit by falling tree limbs have slowed him down a bit, his spirit hasn't dampened one bit.
Honestly, the guy is like a cat with nine lives.
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Remember that scary incident back in March 2022? Ernie was out cutting a tree when a massive limb—one he described as being as big as his leg—snapped and dropped 50 feet right onto his neck and shoulders. It knocked him out cold for two minutes. He ended up in the hospital with a broken arm and some pretty serious internal bruising. Most people would have called it quits right then. Not Ernie. He joked from his hospital bed that he "broke the limb in two" and called the fight a draw.
That’s the thing about Ernie Brown Jr. He’s built different.
Where Did He Go After Animal Planet?
The cancellation of Call of the Wildman in 2014 was messy. There were allegations about "faked" rescues and concerns regarding animal welfare on set. It was a classic "reality TV vs. actual reality" clash. For a while, Ernie went quiet. The Hollywood cameras packed up and left the backwoods of Kentucky, leaving Ernie to return to the life he had before the fame.
But he didn't stop being Turtleman.
He basically traded the big screen for the small screen. If you look at his social media presence, particularly his "Turtleman Official" YouTube channel, you’ll see he’s been documenting his adventures for years. It’s a lot more raw than the Animal Planet days. No high-octane soundtracks, just Ernie, his dog Lolly (who sadly passed, but lived a long life), and the woods.
Recent Appearances and the "Live Action" Spirit
In 2025, Ernie was still making rounds at regional festivals. He showed up at events like the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival and did a meet-and-greet in Harrison County, West Virginia, as recently as March 2025. People still line up for hours just to get a photo and hear that signature yell.
He’s even toyed with new projects focused on wildlife education. He’s less about the "nuisance animal removal" drama now and more about showing people the beauty of the Kentucky wilderness. It's a bit more "slow-paced" than the "It's Turtle Time!" era, but it feels more honest.
Why the Death Rumors Never Die
Why do people keep asking if Ernie Brown Jr still alive? It usually comes down to three things:
- The Silence: He isn't on a major network anymore, and in the "if it's not on TV, it's dead" logic of the internet, people assume the worst.
- The Loss of Neal James: In 2019, Ernie's best friend and costar, Neal "Banjo Man" James, passed away at age 55. Because they were so linked in the public eye, many people conflated the two deaths or assumed Ernie followed shortly after.
- The Danger: Let’s be real—the man’s hobbies are dangerous. Diving into murky water where you can’t see what’s biting you is a recipe for a "breaking news" headline.
What’s Life Like for Ernie in 2026?
He’s still living deep in the backwoods. He hasn't let the "Hollywood" money change him, mostly because, by several accounts, he didn't walk away with as much as people think. He’s a blue-collar guy through and through. Before the fame, he was cutting boards for whiskey barrels and working construction. Now, he’s back to the basics.
He stays busy with:
- Fan Mail: He takes this seriously. He still goes to the Lebanon Post Office regularly to pick up letters from across the country.
- Internet Shows: Small-scale productions that keep him connected to his core audience.
- Local Community: He remains a "Citizen of the Year" type of figure in Marion County, always willing to talk to a fan at the grocery store.
The controversy of the show's end is mostly water under the bridge for his die-hard fans. They don't care if a raccoon was "planted" for a scene ten years ago; they care about the man who taught them to love the "wildman" lifestyle.
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Health and Longevity
Physically, Ernie has survived more than most. Beyond the 2022 tree accident, he’s dealt with a car wreck, a chainsaw cut, and a literal bull attack. He's often said he’s been bitten by just about everything that has teeth in the state of Kentucky. At 60, he’s naturally dealing with the wear and tear of a life lived outdoors. But he's resilient.
If you're looking for the latest on his status, the best place is his official Facebook or YouTube. He’s pretty good about checking in when the rumors get too loud.
The Legacy of the Turtleman
Ernie Brown Jr. represents a specific slice of Americana that's disappearing. He's the "wayward American," a guy who didn't change for the cameras and didn't change when they stopped rolling. Whether you think the show was "too much" or you loved every second of it, you can't deny that Ernie himself is the real deal.
He's a survivor.
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If you want to keep up with Ernie, follow his official social channels directly rather than trusting the "RIP" posts that circulate for clicks. He’s still here, he’s still Kentucky proud, and he’s still ready for some "Live Action" whenever a snapping turtle crosses his path.
To stay informed and support the legend, you can look for his official merchandise or catch one of his rare appearances at local fairs—just don't expect him to be in a suit and tie. He's staying in the woods where he belongs.
Check his official YouTube channel for the most recent video updates to see the latest pond dives or woods-walks directly from the source. This is the most reliable way to verify his status and see what he's working on next.