Ernie Brown Jr.

Ernie Brown Jr., also known as 'The Turtleman', gained fame as the star of the reality TV show Call of the Wildman for his ability to catch snapping turtles bare-handed.

Reality Celebrity

March 28, 1965

60

Ernie Brown Jr., also known as “The Turtleman,” rose to prominence as the star of the American reality television series “Call of the Wildman,” which aired on Animal Planet from 2011 to 2014. The show chronicled Ernie’s adventures in Kentucky, where he captured and released nuisance animals, particularly snapping turtles, using only his bare hands. This unique skill earned him his famous nickname. Ernie has also appeared in “Turtleman Takes Manhattan” and “Turtleman: The Lost Episodes.” Catching an average of 300 turtles annually, he has amassed a net worth of $2 million. In March 2022, Ernie survived a near-fatal accident while cutting down a tree. Despite numerous snapping turtle bites, his enthusiasm for capturing turtles remains undiminished.