Duane Ollinger, the star of Discovery’s Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, has died after a battle with ALS. He was 68.
Ollinger’s passing was confirmed by his co-star Ryan Skinner, who shared the news on the Blind Frog Ranch Reddit subforum on Wednesday (June 3). “I’m saddened to share that my close friend Duane Ollinger passed away today around 2:30 PM in the ICU in Amarillo, Texas, due to respiratory failure from pneumonia, while battling ALS disease,” Skinner wrote.
“I was recently informed that his health had taken a sudden turn after ongoing complications from multiple strokes over the past couple of years,” he continued. “His girlfriend, Marylee, stayed by his side through it all and made sure he was cared for right up to the end.”
Emery Smith, who has worked at Blind Frog Ranch since 2023 and appeared in one episode of the Discovery series, also confirmed Ollinger’s death in a separate post on Facebook, noting that his friend passed after a “respiratory arrest.”
“I was alerted Sunday of his deterioration in his health from his girlfriend Marylee and was hopping on a plane with Darla today when we received the alarming sudden death, text message a short moment ago,” Smith wrote. “He has been suffering from his multiple strokes these past couple years, which have taken an extreme toll on his physical, emotional, and astral states.”
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch premiered on Discovery in 2021 and followed Ollinger, his son Chad, and others as they searched for ancient Aztec gold and investigated strange phenomena in Utah’s Uinta Basin. The sixth season premiered last week, with treasure hunter Josh Feldman taking the lead in the search after Ollinger fell ill.
A Discovery Channel spokesperson paid tribute to Ollinger, telling Entertainment Weekly, “Duane Ollinger leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and determination. Through his work, he invited people along in his search for answers and the unknown. We share our condolences with his family, friends, and all who were part of his journey.”
In his own post, Skinner said he’ll remember Ollinger for “his humor, his intelligence, and the way he could make light of any situation,” writing, “He cared deeply about his family and was always willing to help others.”
“He was a man of his word, a truely caring invidivual with a heart as big as Texas, and an open mind to both spirit and adventure,” he added.
Smith also praised Ollinger’s “relentless humor,” adding, “He was extremely kind and always helped others in need and was very giving to all. He loved his family tremendously and always put them first.”
“I feel his love, peace, and compassion right now. I will miss him,” Smith continued. “Duane after you get a nap up there, get your ass in gear! You still have a lot of work to complete and we still need you. You may have chose to transition, only to see the greater scope of the mission for all of us, but now its time for the second mission the second adventure awaits you. I miss you brother we love you!”
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