Brian Barczyk

Brian Henry Barczyk (September 6, 1969 – January 14, 2024)^[2] was an American reptile enthusiast, YouTuber, and founder of the Reptarium Reptile Zoo and Legasea Aquarium.^[3][4][5] He was also featured as a star on the TV series Venom Hunters by the Discovery Channel.^[6][7] Barczyk had the third largest collection of snakes in the world with over 30,000 snakes and assisted with venom milking.^[8]

Brian Barczyk
Barczyk in 2019
Personal information
Born	(1969-09-06)September 6, 1969
Died	January 14, 2024(2024-01-14) (aged 54) Michigan, U.S.
YouTube information
Channel	@BrianBarczyk
Years active	2011–2024
Subscribers	5.34 million^[1]
Creator Awards 100,000 subscribers 1,000,000 subscribers

Early life and career

Brian Henry Barczyk was born on September 6, 1969.^[2] He grew fascinated with animals from a trip to the zoo at the age of two. Thereafter, Barczyk continued practicing his love for animals, specifically reptiles. He appeared on YouTube beginning in 2011, and starred on channels such as SnakeBytesTV. He collaborated with other YouTubers such as Jake Paul, Logan Paul, Marshmello, Liza Koshy, MrBeast, Coyote Peterson, and David Dobrik.^[9]

Personal life

In 1992, Barczyk married Lori Ann Herman; they had two children, Noah and Jade. All have an active interest in reptiles.^[10]

Illness and death

In 2023, Barczyk was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, which he revealed on his vlog.^[3] On January 5, 2024, he publicly stated that he would be entering hospice care.^[11] He died nine days later at his home in Michigan, at the age of 54.^[2][12]

References

1. "About @BrianBarczyk". YouTube.
2. Deb, Sopan (January 16, 2024). "Brian Barczyk, a Reptile Evangelist on YouTube and TV, Dies at 54". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
3. Manoj, Manoj (March 24, 2023). "Brian Barczyk Illness: The Latest Health Update". Lee Daily. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
4. Hotts, Mitch (November 22, 2023). "Downtown Utica to welcome Christmas with fireworks fun and visit from Santa". Macomb Daily. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
5. Dodgeson, Lindsey (January 20, 2020). "YouTube's resident exotic animal expert explains why he feels most alive when working with reptiles that 'could potentially kill' him". Business Insider. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
6. Soltes, John (February 15, 2016). "INTERVIEW: Enter the world of venom hunter Brian Barczyk, star of new Discovery series". Hollywood Soapbox. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
7. Oates, Barb (February 16, 2016). "Venom Hunters' Brian Barczyk on Chewy, 6-figure snakes, milking, snake bits and more". Channel Guide Magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
8. Conte, Peter. "Professionals reveal what it takes to extract venom from a deadly king brown snake". Nine.com.au. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
9. Yen, Amanda (January 13, 2024). "Reptile Vlogger With Terminal Cancer Posts Gut-Wrenching Farewell Video". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
10. "Reptile Zoo Owner with Cancer Says He Won't Live to See Dream Aquarium Open: 'I Don't Have Long'". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
11. "Owner of The Reptarium says goodbye in emotional video as he prepares to enter hospice care". WXYZ. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
12. "Reptile vlogger Brian Barczyk dead at 54". BNO News. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.