A story of a man who transformed his life from a drug junkie to a famous TV Star with his own great show. The man who who has had five marriages and a dozen children. The tale of a person who's life is full of scandals which have always been on the front page of media. The Story of a Dog who's bark is as hard as his bite. Yeah you have a correct guess as this is the life story Mr Duane Chepman a.k.a Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Next: What is the story behind Dog name ??
Although not named legally as "Dog", Mr Duane Lee Chapman has always preferred being called Dog in media for the reasons that his legal name is attached with many stains, related to multiple divorces, several arrests and and legally father of about the 12 kids. These and many other scandals related to the name Duane Chapman do not pop up if you google "Dog" the bounty hunter. This justifies it.
In the early 70s, Dog got involved in drugs due to one of his friends. One day he along with his friend went to deal with a drug dealer. However, the business didn't end up well and fight broke out between his friend and the dealer. The brawl resulted in his friend shooting and killing the dealer on the spot. Although Dog proclaimed that he was in the car waiting for his friend , ye , he was charged being accomplice of the murder for 5 years. However, his innocence of the crime proved and his sentence reduced to 18 months only.
Further find out why Dog Doesn't want to talk about his prison life?
Imprisonment period fell on him as lightening from the blue sky. His wife- La Fonda Sue Honeycutt- dumped him; married his best friend and took their two children.
This broke his heart and left him alone in life. The worse impact of the divorce was that He wasn't able to meet his children for many years. In fact, his son Leland didn't even know his dad until he was teenager.
Despite the hardships of jail life, Dog was fortunate enough to utilize this period of confinement to his advantage. He did not only field world but also employed as prisoner barber in jail. He also professed to have found God and peace in heart in the prison thus gave up his wayward ways.
It was in the jail that Dog was enlightened with the idea to pursue his career as Bounty Hunter. According to Dog, the event as he told goes as, one day one of the inmate was trying to escape and tackled and subdued the escapee in order to save him from being shot by the guards. However the guards remarked his effort by the comment "good job bounty hunter." These words change his life and career 360 degree.
Dog The Bounty Hunter's love of Native American culture is revealed by his distinct get up. Although Dog keeps The long, blonde, often-braided hair combined with necklaces due to his claim of having ancestry from Native American, the truth is that he is born and lived under the influence of his great-aunt Ludmilla who used to sell hand-rolled cigarettes under the name of Native Americans. She used to dressed up in the Native American jewelries and dresses and children in her family including Dog and his sibling became fond of these articles.
In 2011, a renowned actor Nicolas Cage was arrested and jailed on multiple charges of domestic abuse, and car accident. Nicolas Cage was confined in the jail helplessly as no one came to his bail.
Instead of having Hollywood friend come to his rescue, it was Dog who personally bailed Cage out. He cited the reason that he is a great fan od the actor and could not endure him being in jail.
Lyssa Chepman the ninth child of Dog released a shocking tale about her life under the parenthood of Dog which portrayed a very negative picture of Dog we are acquainted with. She claimed that her whole disturbed life is a result of troubled upbringing she has been through under the influence of cocaine addicted and alcoholic mother.
In order to avoid going back to home and such stressed atmosphere she even accused her father of domestic abuse erroneously. According to her, this topsy-turvy life resulted in her becoming addicted to drugs and teen mom.
Undoubtedly, the reality show is expected to portray reality in the guideline of scripts, but one episode of 2012 had actually caught the the family brawl in the camera. The bad blood among the family members was made on-air and resulted in Dog's two sons not only abandoning family but also resigning from the reality show.
The facts were latter made to public by Dog's sons blaming their step mom Beth as reason insisting to fire them from the show and overtaking the complete control of the show.
The viewers of Bounty Hunter Show might have noticed that Dog never arrest anyone with guns on him. That is due the fact that he was legally barred from holding arms after his 1976 murder conviction. Despite the end of his parole period many years ago, Dog still has been under the legal restriction of carrying real guns.
Therefore, the only weapons at the disposal of Dog to arrest the criminals in the show are the chemical spray gun and fearless personality.
Dog has an unbelievably a very big family.
Dog has accepted that he loves women too much that his desire has often lead to marriage. However, keeping long term relationships with one life partner has never been his constitution. He has had five marriages and divorced each wife before marrying the other. His first wife was La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, who remained in matrimony for five years until she got divorce in 1077. Within two, he tied knot with Annie Tegnell however this relations was shortlived and they were separated after three years in 1982.
The ink of the divorce papers has not dried yet when Dog married his third time. His relation with his third wife Lyssa Rae Brittain lasted for almost a decade. It was surptisingly the longest marriage he had in life. Dog married his fourth wife Tawny not out of his own desire but circumstances compelled him to do so. Finally, Dog found his his soulmate so as he claim in the his last Wife Beth who he had been dating since 1995. After 16 years together they atlast married with each other. They have remained husband and wife until Beth Chepman died of cancer on June 26 2019.
Dog has children coming out like an unplanted shrubs along the road side. He is not been called Dog without reason, as He has as many children as a dog has. He has been a father figure to about 13 children during his lifetime. The amazing part is that he didn't even have knowledge about some of his children. He couldn't be around to father all the the children especially the two kids from his first wife. While some of his children separated as soon as they reached their legal age.
Dog got two children from his first wife, three with his second wife, and three from the third one. Thanks to the fourth wife who bore him no children. The fifth wife Beth gave birth to two of his children while brought along two kids from her previous relationship. Thus Dog is also the the legal step-dad of two kids of his last wife. That's one big herd of animals which is not easy to keep knowledge of all. Only those children all near to him and known by public who have remained part of his "The Bounty Hunter Show" or remained in lime light as well in his home recently. A shepherd of his herd without doubt.
Dog's love of children is unsurpassed as despite having 13 children, he didn't hesitate to take the guardianship of his grandson when he realized the need. This grandson was the son of Dog's daughter Barbara from his second wife. Barbara died in a tragic car accident in 2006,which happened the day before Dog was going to marry Beth.
Dog's daughter Barbara was survived by one children who was left under the care of her husband. Unfortunately the the child was being physically abused by his father. Soon Dog came to know about this miserable condition of his grandson under his widower son-in-law, and took the legal guardianship of his grandson. A true savior of miserable Dog proved to be.
A man of several controversies, Mr Dog was once caught in media defamation for he uttered the derogating remarks about his son Tucker's African-American girlfriend. The event occurred in the 2007 when the recording was released and backfired the media and public outrage against Dog. The event Gave a great jolt to his career and put an end to his show temporarily.
It was later confessed by his son that he sold this recording to the National Enquirer for hefty amount and A&E. It was great blow to his reputation and put a momentary stop to his show in season 4.
Being called dog is not liked by people but when such features of dog are in mind such as fearlessness, protection of buddy, readiness to fight and roughness etc , it no doubt one may like being nicknamed as Dog. Same is the story behind Duane's nick Dog as he was rebellious kid and had freedom to go his way as he wish without any proper restriction as both his parents were often absent from home.
He joined a motorbike gang of hustlers where he was famous by Dog name as he was always ready to brawl and grudge on people and always inviting fights during his biking around the neighborhood.
It was dog's first arrest in 2003 when he apprehended the notorious Andrew Luster, an heir to a cosmetic company. Luster was already convicted for 86 sexual assaults and had fled to Mexico to avoid arrest. Dog along with his 'Hunt Team' including son Leland and his friend Youngblood traveled to Mexico after Luster.
The team caught Luster easily however the hard part began when they were driving the culprit to USA. The Mexican authority though extradited Luster to face trial, but The whole team of "The Bounty Hunter" was arrested on charges of making arrest abroad without any permit from Mexico Federal Police. They were held until the Beth the wife of Dog appealed to State authorities and public for release of entire team. This episode of Dog's show took the focus of nationwide media and made him famous as Dog The Bounty Hunter.
How the show ended ?
Although a momentary glitches faced by the the show due to racial slur by Dog pulled The Bounty Hunter show from on air, it soon revived to screen a few months later with four more seasons. The Show achieved a great hit and popular liking until season 6 and from then onward the decline was set. Finally after the season 8 the show was permanently shut by A&E for good.
Many mouths many stories, as Dog and Beth maintained that the understanding and accord on the payments and creative rights with A&E could not be reached which led to an end of show. On the contrary, another story tells that the ratings of the show had declined to zero and viewers had diminished. The show could not raise enough revenue to fulfill the expenses, therefore, A&E cancelled "The Bounty Hunter Show" for good.
The Chapman last name might ring your head to relate them as family members but their was no such blood relations between the too. Despite that Tim Youngblood and Duane Chepman were like family not only in the show but in reality as well. Youngbloood played the main character alongside Dog in the show for many years however he suddenly stopped being part of the show.
The media rumours about fight over cash and part was aired as the reason and the fans of Youngblood slurred defamation to Dog but the reality came to surface when Youngblood released the news that he left the show due to his family issue which need more focus and repairing. He also claimed to have enjoyed the fame and name being part of the show. He career declined too swiftly as he had been arrested on charges of terrorist threats in 2008 and released in 2009. Ever since he had never been on media and avoided the spotlight.
Being bounty hunters, harsh comments and cursing mouth is a common feature as one faces the scumbags and criminals of society. However it would seem strange to know that the bounty hunter being convicted for cursing?? To your surprise Beth was convicted for cursing in two teenagers in Colorado.
The story goes this way that Beth was driving in Colorado when two teenagers bumped their car in to her car. Out of sudden impulse, she yelled and cursed them. In reaction the teens put a gun on her in order to scare and threaten her. Beth soon called the police who arrested not only the teens but Her as well. The reason which you might know well was that cursing is crime in Colorado state. Thus she was arrested for having dirty mouth.
Unsurprisingly, the Dog's life was under continuous threat by unknown enemies. Life is not bed of roses especially when you faces death threats. At first Dog ignored the threatening email as spasm and jokes however when threats came flooding from many people Dog became vigilant. Some threats were so violent that Dog could not ignore them. So he filed the complaint and FBI took notice. However the culprits could not be uncovered from the hidings.These threats made the fearless bounty hunter worried sometime for his life and protection of his family.
Before any episode, a well organized homework on the criminal is done by the team of The Bounty Hunter, therefore, most of the criminals turned out to be guilty as charged. But what will happen if their apprehended criminal is found not guilty by the court ? This was never thought out by them. The similar case occurred in 2009 when a case was ruined against the an apprehended suspect who goes by the name Hoang Ming Phung Nguyen who was relieved from all charges by district attorney and released from police custody.
The problem was not started until the show was aired because due to this episode Nguyen not only lost his job but also reputation and considered criminal despite being released by court with honour. Nguyen in reaction sued the show for defamation and false accusation and demanded compensation which A&E had to pay and The Bounty Team had to submit formal apology to Nguyen.
Media appearance requires certain demand on the stars which generate out of viewers likeness as well suitability of main character especially when they act as hero and heroin. Beth was no different as she desired to to look suitable couple physically. The change of her physiques did not go unnoticed and she had to face the criticism of many of her fans. After a while a rumor about Beth going under the knife aired and the public see the doubts are not unfounded.
By the look of Beth's physique the obvious surgeries according to public is the breast and hips enlargement and liposuction of her belly fats. However one cannot say for sure because neither she accepted it nor denied this altogether.
The fame in the first arrest of The Bounty Hunter provided Dog invitation from new ventures such as "Take This Job" show.The program was released and had not so great ratings, but the episode of Dog and His Bounty Hunter Team took their fame to sky. The people loved the show and demanded more of the same actions from Dog and his team.
One of the thing that caught attraction of people was the show "Dog The Bounty Hunter" comprised action, romance, family, strategy, street smartness, and justice all woven together as to provide with whole package of life.
In 2017 a tragic episode followed in the couple's happy life when Dog's wife Beth was diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer. She was required to undergo surgery. The whole world see their fight against the cancer on air in a A&E special series known as "Dog and Beth: Fight of Their Live". They shared everything with public ranging from Doctors visits to arrival of guests and surgery which lasted for 13 hours .
Thankfully, the surgery completed successfully and Beth soon recovered. This episode taught great lesson of marital life and support and struggle of couple to fight off the
The legendary rock star Ozzy Osbourne has proudly declared his connection with the show. Although Ozzy Osbourne was never part of the show or featured in any scene yet he allegedly accepted his connection with the show and exprssed his likeness of Dog. The theme song of the show was sung by Ozzy and gave the show an enchanting music.
Later Ozzy inclued this theme song " Prince of Darkness" in his album which is counted among the greatest songs of Ozzy Osbourne. None other better roak singer could have provided with more better theme song.
The notorious El Chapo was among the most famous drug cartel leaders of Mexico. He had already eschewed his arrest from the US and Mexican LEAs for many years. When US put a $5 million reward on head, Dog desired to try his luck and prove his valor.
However, El Chapo being an untouchable target and was in hiding in Mexico under protection of his narcos associates gave Dog a second thought on the danger he would put himself and his family into. Apart from that Dog had past troubles with the Mexican authorities and his arrival in Mexico was unwelcome. Therefore, he dropped this idea admitting that the reward was not worth the problems he would inflict on himself.
As the show required frequent travelling from one place to another, they carried hefty amount of cash with them. During their travel they would stay in different hotels and motels. During these journey, they were easily exploited by the hotel management, small time burglars and street thieves. One time while on their hunt the couple stayed in a hotel in Los Angeles. They locked $5,000 cash in hotel suite as precaution. Unfortunately, when they returned to the room, the money was stolen. Although there was no forced entry in their suite ye the culprit was not found. The scenarios predicted that the member of hotel staff might have been involved as they could have made stealth entry with a spare key.!!!
Dog also took action to bring attention to bail reforms. It occurred following the death of a man called Jules Black who was entitled to bail yet died in the police custody. The Jules's family held the then governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, responsible of his death. Dog supported the family's claim and sued Chris Christie.
In this way, he not only highlighted the flaws of the bail system but also brought attention to bail reform. This is regarded great contribution by Dog.
Justin Bihag , the nephew of Dog and regular participant in many of episodes was severely over taken by the depression at the end of the show. The Show had really disturbed his real life. Being so much absorbed by the show that he could not readjust to normal life. Consequently, his dillusion led him to take illegal drugs.
Due to addiction and depression, Justin lost his son's custody. In his rage he put the blame of depression on Dog and his show. He even filed petition in court for the money he was entitled from the show. The poor soul could not maintain balance and difference between show and real life.
Dog and Beth had to suffer the embarrassment of rejection from entering into UK two times. The first time it occurred when Dog tried to enter UK to take part in the season of Celebrity Big Brother. His precious crime became the hurdle and he was not permitted to enter UK due to first degree murder conviction.
The second time it occurred was when Beth was not allowed to enter for the reason that she had been charged for shoplifting in her youth. The maxim past mistakes has consequences on future played well on them.
This was one of the Dog's big catch fish. The case appeared in 2014 when MMA fighter War machine viciously assaulted his ex-girlfriend in her own home. She was badly injured and it was feared she might succumbed to death but thankfully she survived. Did did not involved in this until MMA Fighter challenged him and boasted to make him shit out if his ass.
Dog demanded him to turn himself within 24 hours or else he would himself catch him. The War Machine did happen to turn up because Dog caught him soon.
Dog's super hit show and his desire to involve his family in the show made everyone earn wealth and fame. The Chepman family turned enter the showbizz business acquiring luxury cars and appearing on camera. He inspired the youth of his family to stay on the right path.
Their show not only allowed their family to share the wealth but also provided them with opportunities for better life.
The love of Dog and Beth was inspiring for the viewers as they have been in front of public eye, during their show as well as in other events of their life. Its truly a good lesson to public that how a couple could form an understanding and cooperation and love in their relation and make it work by the the essence of support and efforts.
Though both had been earlier married ye they show the worlf the true love have no boundaries.
Dog is though not much of literary type yet he penned down his ideas and some of the cases and arrested in his two famous books. He co- authored two books by the title "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" (co-written with Laura Morton). this was among the New York best time seller books. The second book he co-authored with Laura Morton was "Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given."
Dog has never decided to retire. Now He is of 67 age and yet he is doing direction as well as production of some show. Although he has sidelined himself from spotlight yet his life is still connected with similar shows. His life provide lesson that despite all disparities in life if person desires greatness and want to make life worthwhile, he or she could easily achieve their goals and meaning to their lives.