Beth Chapman died on June 26, 2019. She was 51 years of age at the time of her death. She was most known for her part in the reality TV series, Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Chapman featured in the show alongside her husband, Duane Chapman aka Dog. Together, the duo became two of the most recognisable faces in television. In honor of her name, let’s explore the life and career of Beth Chapman following her passing.
Beth Chapman’s Early Days
Beth Chapman, born Alice Elizabeth Smith on October 29, 1967, in Denver, Colorado, lived a life full of diverse experiences before finding fame in television. As a child, she trained in both gymnastics and ice skating, showcasing her athleticism and agility. However, she also took a more unconventional path, working as a nightclub stripper, waitress, and clerk to make ends meet. For a significant portion of her early life, Beth resided in Colorado before relocating to Honolulu to be with her future husband, Duane Chapman. The couple married in 2006 and went on to star together in the reality TV show Dog the Bounty Hunter, which chronicled their adventures as bounty hunters and brought them widespread recognition.
Breaking Down the Success of Dog the Bounty Hunter
Dog the Bounty Hunter premiered in 2003 on A&E, starring Duane “Dog” Chapman, a legendary bounty hunter with a long history of tracking down fugitives. The show was born out of Duane’s real-life profession, which he had honed over four decades, and his unique personality and unapologetic approach to capturing fugitives. Beth Chapman, was initially an executive producer on the show, but soon became an integral part of the program, using her own skills and instincts to help track down fugitives alongside her husband.
As the show’s popularity soared, Beth’s dynamic chemistry with Duane and her own tenacity and determination made her a fan favorite, earning her equal recognition and popularity alongside her husband. The show’s success led to a whopping eight-season run on A&E, during which it attracted millions of viewers and became one of the network’s highest-rated shows. In 2013, the couple spun off into their own series, Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, which aired on CMT for three seasons. Throughout their reality TV careers, Beth Chapman became an iconic figure in her own right, known for her fiery spirit and unshakeable bond with her husband.
How Did Beth Chapman Die?
Beth Chapman was diagnosed with stage II throat cancer in 2017. Later than year, she announced that she was cancer free. A TV special was released that same year called Dog and Beth: Fight of Their Lives, which charted the couple’s emotional journey together. However, the cancer sadly returned in November 2018. By 2019, her condition got worse. During this time, Duane kept fans up to date via Twitter (now X). After posting regular updates, he sadly announced her passing on June 26, 2019.
It’s 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain. Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side.
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) June 26, 2019
Touching Tributes Poured in for the Reality Star
Following the sad news, social media was alight with tributes to Beth Chapman, with fans from all over the world paying their respects. She passed away in a hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shortly after, a rep spoke to PEOPLE, saying: “Beth died at 5:32 this morning, the same time she would wake up to go hiking Koko Head. The exact same time. She was surrounded by family and Dog was there, holding her hand.”
Beth left behind four children and 14 grandchildren. To this day, Duane honors his wife regularly. Three days before Valentine’s Day 2020, he posted a touching tribute to his official Instagram page. The post contained a slideshow of photos and videos of Beth throughout the years with a caption reading: “A lot of valentines days memories that will last forever.”
Duane has also been on record in saying that he will remain devoted to his with, telling PEOPLE that: “Sex is a thing like almost in the past right now. I’m not having it and I don’t care. It’s weird.” He added: “So your mind and you go crazy. And then after a while, you realize that never will no one ever love me as much as she did. And I will probably never love anyone else as much as I loved her.” Want to read more about Dog the Bounty Hunter? Here are 5 actors we think could play Duane “Dog” Chapman in a movie.
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