Photo:Scott Gries/A&E /Everett
Scott Gries/A&E /Everett
MeetDog the Bounty Hunter’s huge family.
Dog — whose legal name is Duane Lee Chapman — is the father of 13 children, all of whom he welcomed from six different relationships. In 1972, he welcomed his first child, Christopher Michael Hecht with his then-girlfriend Debbie White.
Many of the A&E star’s children were introduced to the public during their various appearances on his reality shows. Among them wasDog the Bounty Hunter, the long-running hit series that follows his pursuit of fugitives from his home base of Hawaii to his native state of Colorado.
Since 1972, Chapman has been married five times. His first marriage was to La Fonda Sue Darnall, with whom he welcomed sons Duane Lee II and Leland Blane Chapman. After their split, he wed Ann Tegnell in 1979 and welcomed three kids: Zebidiah, Wesley and James Robert Chapman.
In 1982, Chapman tied the knot with his third wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain, with whom he shares kids Barbara Katie, Tucker Dee and Lyssa Rae Chapman. In 2006, he wed Beth Chapman. The pair welcomed Bonnie Joanne and Garry Chapman beforeBeth’s death in 2019.
In September 2022, Chapman married a fifth time when hewed Francie Frane in Colorado. The reality star’s proposal, which came 10 months after Beth’s passing, received backlash from critics at the time.
“My father has gone through so much this past year without my mother,” Bonnie began in a lengthy comment onInstagram. “It’s been extremely difficult to see one parent pass, and the other so intent on following. My father deserves to be happy.”
In June 2022, Chapman revealed in an Instagram post thathe had a 13th childon the fourth anniversary of Beth’s death. “But God redeemed this day when I discovered my son Jon, who I just met recently, was born on this day,” he wrote alongside a tribute to his late wife.
Here’s everything to know about Chapman’s 13 children.
Christopher Michael Hecht
Colorado Department of Corrections
Chapman had his first child, son Christopher Hecht, in 1972. At the time of his birth, the reality star was serving an 18-month prison sentence for a third-degree murder charge.
At the time of his arrest, Chapman coincidentally turned in a wanted-Mesa County man. Christophertold reporters, “I don’t think he even knows I’m in here. I haven’t talked to him in two months.”
In February 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison in Colorado after a menacing arrest, reportedThe Sun. Outside of his legal troubles, there are little known details on his personal life.
Duane Lee II
Leland Blane Chapman/ Instagram
Chapman had his second child, son Duane Lee II, in 1973. He welcomed him with his now ex-wife, La Fonda Sue Darnall (née Honeycutt), who he was married to from 1972 to 1977.
Similar to his father, Duane II is a secretive bail bondsman who learned the ropes at Chapman’s company, Da’Kine Bail Bonds in Hawaii. However, he’s kept a low public profile after leaving the hit show over arumoredfinancial dispute.
Since his departure, Duane II relocated to Florida where he opened up his own bail bondsman business. “Children grow up,” Beth, Chapman’s ex-wife, toldChannel Guide Magazine.
“How long can you work for your mom and dad?” she continued. “At some point, you feel like there’s got to be changes made. And we as parents have to be OK with letting our bird fly.”
Leland Blane
Angela Weiss/Getty
Chapman and La Fonda Sue welcomed their son,Leland Blane, together on Dec. 14, 1976.
Like Duane II, Leland also leftDog the Bounty Hunterin 2012 over a dispute with Beth. He, too, opened his own business, called Kama’aina Bail Bonds on the Big Island of Hawaii.
In 2006, Leland was entangled in legal troubles when he was arrested in Hawaii alongside his father for allegedly jumping bail in Mexico.CNNreported the men were ordered to “stand trial on charges of unlawful detention and deprivation of freedom, charges which carry sentences of up to four years in prison.” However, they were released from custody on bail.
As for Leeland’s personal life, he was married twice. In 1995, he wed Maui Chapman, with whom he welcomed sons Dakota and Cobie before their split in 2005. He also welcomed a daughter with ex Lynette Yi, before marrying modelJamie Pilar Chapmanin 2016.
Leeland is very active on social media, including Instagram where he shares family-related content with his half a million followers. Recently, hecelebrated being a dadon Father’s Day.
“Thank you all for all the Father’s Day wishes, that is the best part of my life . By far my greatest accomplishment . Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there I hope you all had a wonderful day,” he captioned a post alongside his brood.
Zebediah
Chapman had his fourth child, son Zebediah, in 1980. He welcomed him with his second wife, Ann Tegnell, to whom he was married from 1979 to 1982. One month after Zebidiah’s birth, the infant tragically died.
Wesley
Wesley Chapman/ Instagram
Unlike his siblings, Wes didn’t make any appearances on Chapman’s numerous series. Until age six, Wes lived with his mother before bouncing between foster homes and psychiatric hospitals. His past shaped his successful future.
“I didn’t want to be the kid that didn’t have a dad, didn’t have a mom, that was abused,” Wes said inan interview with Business Insider. “So I just started telling that story over and over in the mirror. It was as simple as that.”
By age 19, Wes was consulting for Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft and Costco. He worked as a motivational speaker, often speaking to young students who were experiencing abuse or mental health struggles.
Through his inspirational conversations and personal past, he createdA Human Project, an “incubator for scalable solutions to systemic problems in education, health and society.” He is also co-founder of The Human Gathering, one of the most exclusive, private communities in the world, perForbes.
Today — through his podcasts, writings and in-person conversations — Wes has reached hundreds of millions of people all over the globe. He’s married toJodie Chapman, and both of them are very active on social media.
James Robert
Chapman and Ann welcomed their son, James Robert, together in 1982. James was born in Denver, Colorado. Like many of his siblings, he made appearances onDog the Bounty Hunter. Now, however, he chooses to keep a low profile and rarely makes public appearances. Few details are known about his current whereabouts.
Barbara Katy
Lyssa Chapman Evensen II/ Instagram
Tucker Dee
Chapman and his third wife, Lyssa, welcomed their son, Tucker Dee, in 1983 in Colorado.
Like many of his siblings, Tucker’s followed in his father’s bounty hunter footsteps and has made appearances on his reality show. Since the show wrapped, he’s maintained a low profile and few details about his personal life are known; he doesn’t appear to have any social media accounts.
In June 2022, Chapman posted a birthday tribute to Tucker onInstagram. “Happy birthday to my son Tucker Dee Chapman love you son,” he wrote.
Lyssa Rae
Days after her 15th birthday in 2002, Lyssa welcomed her first child, daughter Abbie Mae Chapman.
Lyssa tied the knot with Brahman “Bo” Galanti on Oahu, Hawaii in February 2009. They welcomed one child together, daughter Madalynn Grace Galanti, before they divorced in 2011. In June 2022, Lyssa married partner Leiana Evensen, announcing the news onInstagram.
Though Lyssa’s father, Chapman, was unable to attend the nuptials, she told PEOPLE: “He was of course on the phone with me all morning and during. We FaceTimed him a bunch. He was there in spirit and also electronically.”
Though her father has facedallegations of homophobiafrom Lyssa’s half-sister Bonnie (his older child with Beth), Lyssa told PEOPLEhe is fully supportiveof her and Lei’s relationship. “My dad’s always just loved me and it’s not been something we talk about,” she said.
“I think it’s really hard for people who are Christian and do have that belief that marriage belongs to a man and a woman,” she continued. “But when your daughter falls in love with someone and you love that person, you can’t just say you don’t believe in it.”
Bonnie Joanne
Bonnie Chapman/ Instagram
Chapman welcomed his daughterBonnie Joannein 1980. He welcomed her with his fourth wife, Beth Chapman, whom he wed in 2006.
Like many of her siblings, Bonnie has appeared in several episodes ofDog the Bounty HunterandDog and Beth: On the Hunt. She’s maintained a public social media presence since the reality shows wrapped, keeping her thousands of followers in the loop on her day-to-day activities.
In June 2019, Bonnie and Chapman experienced tragedy when Bethdiedat the age of 51 after beingdiagnosed with stage II throat cancerin 2017. In the wake of her death, Bonnie opened a boutique as a tribute to Beth.
Bonnie came to her father’s defense in May 2020 after Chapman shared the shocking news of his engagement to girlfriendFranciejust 10 months after Beth’s death.
“My father has gone through so much this past year without my mother. It’s been extremely difficult to see one parent pass, and the other so intent on following. My father deserves to be happy,”she wrotein a lengthy comment on Instagram.
“He’s still got my mother’s name on his chest. He’ll never forget her and the love she gave him. She would be happy my father is in love and finding peace… Life has never been easy for my dad, but love is something that comes naturally to him,” she continued in part.
In June 2022, Bonnie posted asocial media tributeto her late mother. “Today makes 4 years without you, I am so thankful for all the memories you’ve given to me,” she began. “The life lessons you’ve taught me ring in my ear everyday and guide me with good intentions.”
She continued, “I do all I do for you and I know without a single doubt you’re proud of me. I’ve stood my ground and stayed true to myself as you’ve taught me my whole life. Today 4 years ago was the last time I held your hand but I know I will see you again.”
Garry
Garry Chapman/Instagram
Chapman and Beth welcomed their son, Garry, in 2001.
Unlike his siblings, Garry did not appear on hisDog the Bounty Hunter. Though he’s no stranger to the public eye due to his family’s public profile. According to his Instagram, Garry likes to hunt and travel.
He also shares his admiration for his dad, calling him “one of the best dads I could have asked for” in anInstagrampost on Father’s Day. “You’re always there when I call and always check up on me when I need it most. Hope today treats you well, love you!”
“Her impact on my life is immeasurable, and her memory continues to guide me. Even though she’s no longer here, her love resides in my heart, and I find strength in imagining what she would do in challenging times. I honor her today and forever,” he continued in part.
Cecily Barmore
Cecily B Chapman/ Instagram
Chapman and Beth adopted a third child together, daughter Cecily Barmore. She was born in 1993.
Unlike many of her older siblings, Cecily did not appear onDog the Bounty Hunter. Along with Bonnie, Cecily operates Huntress Boutique in remembrance of their mom. In June 2022, she posted a tribute to Beth on her Instagram four years after she died.
“The pain of her loss never truly fades, and there are times when it feels as fresh as if it were yesterday,” she began. “Yet, amidst the lingering sorrow, I take solace in the knowledge that her legacy lives on through the great things accomplished in her honor.”
“From the depths of my heart, I believe that she is watching over those who cherished her, wearing a smile of love and pride,” Cecily continued in part. “Mom, your presence may be physically absent, but the love you left behind is an eternal flame that guides me forward.”
Jon
Duane Dog Chapman/ Instagram
On June 26, Chapman shared in anInstagrampost thathe recently “discovered” he has another son. he shared the family discovery while paying tribute to his first wife, Beth, on the fourth anniversary of her death.
“For the last four years, this day was a terrible reminder of one of the greatest losses of my life,” began Chapman. “But God redeemed this day when I discovered my son Jon, who I just met recently, was born on this day.”
“So now instead of sorrow, this day has a new meaning,” he added, noting that the photo features his son Jon and his wife Jodi. “The whole story of Jon is told in my new book,Nine Lives and Counting, coming SOON,” he continued.
“For anyone who has suffered a terrible loss please know God restores and redeems. Happy birthday son, love you both,” Chapman concluded.
source: people.com
