Brian Barczyk, a reptile evangelist on YouTube and TV, dies at 54
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Sunday, November 24, 2024


Brian Barczyk, a reptile evangelist on YouTube and TV, dies at 54
An undated photo provided by Brian Barczyk shows reptile expert and TV personality Brian Barczyk in 2021. Barczyk, a world-famous reptile expert whose upbeat videos attracted millions of fans on social media and who starred in the reality TV show “Venom Hunters” on Discovery died on Jan. 14, 2024, at his home in Michigan. He was 54. (Brian Barczyk via The New York Times)

by Sopan Deb



NEW YORK, NY.- Brian Barczyk, a world-famous reptile expert whose upbeat videos attracted millions of fans on social media and who starred in the reality TV show “Venom Hunters” on Discovery, died Sunday at his home in Michigan. He was 54.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, according to Stephanie Kent, a representative for The Reptarium, a reptile zoo that Barczyk founded with his wife, Lori Barczyk, in Utica, Michigan.

Brian Barczyk’s love of reptiles began as a boy. He has said his earliest memory was coming across a ball python at the Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit.

“I remember that like it was yesterday, and ever since, I’ve just been obsessed,” Barczyk told the Hollywood Soapbox in 2016. “No one taught me this obsession. I always tell people, I was born with a reptile gene because it’s just in me. I spent every summer catching garter snakes out in the local woods.”

A native of southeast Michigan, Barczyk spent decades commercially breeding snakes. His company, BHB Reptiles, had tens of thousands of the reptiles in a warehouse at any given point, Barczyk told The Detroit Free Press in 2015. His customers included Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, the guitarist from Guns N’ Roses.

His rise to prominence began with the 2008 launch of an educational YouTube channel, SnakeBytesTV, as well as posting from his personal webpage. The videos are cheerful how-tos on various snake-related topics, including some in which Barczyk explains how to safely breed and transport them, how to deal with snake bites and why, contrary to popular opinion, the bites aren’t so bad (depending on the snake).

At the time of his death, Barczyk’s following on YouTube had grown to more than 5 million, while his TikTok account has more than 7 million followers. He also had an Instagram account with 1.7 million followers.

Asked once on Reddit to name his favorite python, he wrote in response in the Ask Me Anything thread: “I just can’t pick. It’s like asking a Mom to pick their favorite child. I love them all.”

His biggest break came when he was tapped to star in “Venom Hunters,” which ran for six episodes on the Discovery Channel in 2016. In the show, Barczyk was one of several experts who traveled to far-flung locations to harvest venom from the world’s most poisonous snakes.

He wore his passion on his sleeve. “The whole idea behind it is that interaction, No. 1, and to also get people super excited about animals,” Barczyk told the Free Press in 2018 when the reptile zoo opened.

Brian Henry Barczyk was born Sept. 6, 1969, and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Karen and Mike Miller. He is survived by his wife and their children, Jade Albrecht, 31, and Noah Barczyk, 24, as well as two grandchildren.

Barczyk had announced that he was starting hospice care in a video posted on his YouTube page on Jan. 5 with the title, “This Is Goodbye.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.










Today's News

January 18, 2024

New York reconsiders Capitol artworks that offend Native Americans

A new body of work by Cindy Sherman now on view at Hauser & Wirth

Brent Sikkema, influential gallerist, is found dead in his Rio apartment

Asya Geisberg Gallery relocates Tribeca

Cooke Latham Gallery opens group exhibition: Marking Time

James Cohan now represents Diane Simpson

French artist duo Tursic & Mille open exhibition at Almine Rech, New York

Debut solo exhibition of newly represented artist Kasper Sonne on view at Maruani Mercier

Newcomb Art Museum to open exhibits exploring new acquisitions, Black labor and folk art from the American South

The Museum of Craft and Design appoints Nora Atkinson as the new Executive Director

Woody Auction's many auctions throughout the past year led of course by fine cut glass

Jaime Lauriano's first solo exhibition in the United States 'Why don't you know about Western remains?'

Second solo exhibition of renowned ceramicist Mitsukuni Misaki at Ippodo New York after six years

'One Year! Photographs from the miners' strike 1984-1985' open at Martin Parr Foundation

Monterey Museum of Art celebrates Chicanx artistry and California's agricultural legacy

Neon, video and photography combined in 'anatomies d'un monde' by Marie José Burki

'Atelier dell'Errore: Die Werkstatt' includes commissions of gold leaf frieze for Palazzo Torlonia

Following success of London exhibition, Carpenters Workshop Gallery presents 'Seeing Things' by Gareth Mason

Charlotte St. Martin to step down as president of Broadway League

Ellen Harvey's Traveling Project "The Disappointed Tourist" opens at Rowan University

Tom Shales, TV critic both respected and feared, dies at 79

Brian Barczyk, a reptile evangelist on YouTube and TV, dies at 54

Ana María Hernando transforms tulle in major Madison Square Park installation

The final guide to LML Full Delete Kit and 2019 Cummins Delete Kit

Unlock Jackpot Success: Why Gacor Slots Are a Hit in Indonesia

Duct Cleaning Company in San Antonio

Tiny Spaces, Big Impact: Smart Storage Solutions with Small Shelves

Brand Building 101: The Role of Consistent Advertising in Establishing a Strong Identity

"Digital Photography: An Exploration of Market Growth and Industry Dynamics"

Insta Pro APK Download Latest Updated Latest Version For Android 2024

Unlocking the Secrets of Gacor Thailand: Discovering Link Slot Gacor

Rudy Semah & Elad Muskatel at Hagada Hasmalit, TA




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Houston Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful