Dog The Bounty Hunter’s Wives: A Deep Dive into Duane Chapman’s Marriages and Enduring Family Legacy
The life of Duane “Dog The Bounty Hunter” Chapman, the iconic reality television star and renowned bounty hunter, has been as action-packed and dramatic off-screen as it has been on. Beyond his formidable presence capturing fugitives, Dog’s personal life, particularly his journey through multiple marriages, has captivated audiences worldwide. With a sprawling family that includes thirteen children, his romantic endeavors have often been at the forefront of public discussion. This article explores the six significant relationships that have defined Duane Chapman’s marital history, from his early life to his current partnership with Francie Frane. We delve into each union, the children they brought into the world, and the unique circumstances that shaped these profound connections.
Currently, Duane Chapman is married to Francie Frane, a union that began in 2021. Their engagement in May 2020 came ten months after the tragic passing of Duane’s beloved late wife, Beth Chapman, who succumbed to throat cancer. Dog and Francie found profound solace in each other, sharing the unique grief of losing their respective spouses. Their bond, forged in mutual understanding and shared sorrow, has become a testament to finding love and companionship after profound loss. Join us as we recount the fascinating marital history of Dog The Bounty Hunter, exploring the women who stood by his side through thick and thin, and the complex family dynamics that have become an integral part of his story.
La Fonda Sue Honeycutt: The First Chapter
Duane Chapman’s first marriage was to La Fonda Sue Honeycutt, marking the initial chapter of his complex personal life. The couple exchanged vows in Texas on April 1, 1972, with Duane at the tender age of 19 and La Fonda, 20. This youthful union lasted for over five years, ending officially on October 27, 1977. The divorce proceedings were initiated by La Fonda after Duane faced a significant legal challenge, being convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to five years in a Texas prison. This tumultuous period undoubtedly placed immense strain on their marriage, leading to its eventual dissolution.
Despite the difficulties, Duane and La Fonda welcomed two sons into the world during their marriage: Duane Lee Chapman Jr. and Leland Blane Chapman. These two would later become integral parts of their father’s life, particularly after his release from prison. Both Duane Lee Jr. and Leland eventually followed in their father’s footsteps, making prominent appearances on the highly successful A&E reality series, Dog the Bounty Hunter. Their involvement in the show provided a unique glimpse into the Chapman family’s professional and personal lives, highlighting the lasting bonds forged during this foundational marriage. La Fonda Sue Honeycutt’s role as Duane’s first wife laid the groundwork for his extensive family, a lineage that continues to evolve and grow.
Anne M. Tegnell: A Brief Reunion and Expanding Family
Soon after his release from prison on parole, serving two years of his five-year sentence, Duane Chapman embarked on his second marriage to Anne M. Tegnell. The wedding took place on August 22, 1979, in Colorado, marking a new phase in Duane’s life post-incarceration. This period was characterized by attempts to rebuild his life and family, a common theme throughout his personal journey. Duane and Anne’s relationship, though marked by challenges, brought new additions to the Chapman family.
Their first child, son Zebadiah Chapman, was born on January 1, 1980. Tragically, Zebadiah’s life was cut short just shy of a month later, a devastating loss for the young couple. Despite this profound sorrow, they later welcomed another son, Wesley Chapman. However, their marriage eventually ended in divorce, as many of Duane’s early relationships did. In a somewhat unusual turn, Duane and Anne briefly reconnected after their divorce, resulting in the birth of their third child together, son James Chapman. This illustrates the complex and often unconventional nature of Duane Chapman’s relationships, where connections sometimes extended beyond the confines of marriage. Anne Tegnell played a significant role in Dog’s life during a formative period, contributing to the ever-growing Chapman family tree.
Lyssa Rae Brittain: A Controversial Beginning and Reality TV Presence
Duane Chapman’s third marriage was to Lyssa Rae Brittain in 1982, a relationship that began under rather unconventional circumstances. According to Duane’s 2007 autobiography, You Can Run But You Can’t Hide, he and Lyssa met in a bar just days before their wedding. In a candid revelation from his memoir, Duane reportedly claimed to have offered Lyssa $1,000 to have his child, to which she agreed. This anecdote offers a glimpse into the often-unorthodox nature of Dog’s early relationships and his approach to starting a family. Their marriage lasted for nine years, a substantial period in his life at the time.
During their nine years together, Duane and Lyssa Rae became parents to three children. Their family grew with the arrival of daughter Barbara Katie Chapman, son Tucker Dee Chapman, and another daughter, Lyssa Rae Chapman. Sadly, Barbara Katie Chapman passed away at the young age of 23 in a car accident in 2006, a profound tragedy that deeply affected the Chapman family. Lyssa Rae Chapman, named after her mother, later gained public recognition by appearing in six seasons of her father’s popular A&E reality show, becoming a familiar face to fans. Her presence on screen, alongside her father and other family members, further solidified the public’s connection to the Chapman clan. Lyssa Rae Brittain’s marriage to Duane was a pivotal chapter, not only expanding his family but also contributing to the public narrative that would later define his reality television career.
Tawney Marie: A Brief, Turbulent Union
The fourth marriage for Duane Chapman was with Tawney Marie, a union that began with an unusual backstory. The couple reportedly met in 1988 under circumstances directly related to Duane’s profession as a bounty hunter: he arrested her on drug possession charges. Following her arrest, Tawney was subsequently hired as his secretary, a turn of events that eventually led to a romantic relationship. They officially became husband and wife in 1992.
However, this marriage proved to be one of Duane’s shorter and more turbulent ones. They separated relatively quickly in 1994, though their official divorce wasn’t finalized until eight years later. Duane and Tawney did not have any children together during their time as a couple. Reflecting on this particular period in his autobiography, the famed bounty hunter candidly described the marriage as “a disaster from the start.” This frank assessment suggests a difficult and ultimately incompatible partnership, a learning experience in Duane’s long journey through relationships. Tawney Marie represents a distinct, albeit brief, chapter in Duane Chapman’s life, highlighting the challenges he sometimes faced in balancing his demanding career with his personal endeavors.
Beth Smith: The Unforgettable Partnership and Public Love Story
Without a doubt, Duane Chapman’s most renowned and publicly celebrated marriage was to Beth Smith, later known as Beth Chapman. Their relationship was a cornerstone of his public image and personal life for decades. The two shared an on-and-off relationship for nearly a decade before finally solidifying their commitment and tying the knot on May 20, 2006, in a picturesque ceremony in Hawaii. Beth, a formidable and charismatic figure in her own right, provided insight into their unconventional first encounter during a 2011 interview with Rosie O’Donnell on The Rosie Show. “I was in jail and…I called him for a bond,” she humorously recounted. “He went out and posted my bond but he sent it out on the bus. So I ended up sitting in jail for 12 hours more.” This iconic story perfectly encapsulated the fiery and authentic dynamic that defined their relationship.
Duane and Beth shared a deeply devoted and often dramatic marriage, which formed the emotional core of their immensely popular reality series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and later, Dog & Beth: On the Hunt. Their onscreen chemistry, unwavering loyalty, and passionate arguments endeared them to millions of viewers, making them reality television legends. Together, they welcomed two children: daughter Bonnie Joanne Chapman and son Garry Chapman, further expanding the large Chapman family. Beyond their biological children, Duane also embraced Beth’s daughter from a previous relationship, Cecily Barmore-Chapman, through adoption, cementing his role as her stepfather and integrating her fully into the family fold. Beth’s presence brought not only love and companionship into Duane’s life but also a fierce partnership in both his personal and professional worlds.
Tragically, Beth Chapman’s life was cut short when she passed away on June 26, 2019, at the age of 51, following a courageous two-year battle with stage II throat cancer. Her death sent shockwaves through the reality TV community and deeply affected her legions of fans and, most profoundly, Duane and their extensive family. Since her passing, Duane has openly expressed his profound grief and continues to honor his late wife on significant bittersweet dates. In May 2020, he marked what would have been their 14th wedding anniversary with a heartfelt tribute posted to Instagram. “She said Big Daddy your going to be so sad when I am not here on our next anniversary why did she have to be so right??” Duane wrote, accompanying a touching photo of the couple embracing. Beth’s legacy as a powerful woman, devoted wife, and fearless bounty hunter remains an indelible part of Duane Chapman’s story and the history of reality television.
Francie Frane: Finding Love and Solace After Loss
In the wake of Beth Chapman’s devastating passing, Duane found himself navigating an unimaginable period of grief. However, against the backdrop of profound sorrow, love found a way to re-enter his life through Colorado rancher Francie Frane. Their connection was remarkably born out of shared tragedy. Duane initially reached out to Francie’s husband, Bob, for some landscaping work on his family property, only to learn that Bob had also passed away just a few months prior to Beth. This shared experience of recent widowhood created an immediate and deep bond between Duane and Francie.
“We hooked up on the phone and started talking to each other, crying and consoling each other. And then one thing led to another,” Duane shared in May 2020, recounting the origins of their relationship. “It’s just incredible that I’ve been able to meet someone like her.” Their shared journey of healing and mutual understanding blossomed into a romantic relationship in the spring of 2020, and by May of that year, they announced their engagement, much to the surprise and eventual support of many fans. Their wedding in 2021 marked a new chapter for Dog, demonstrating his resilience and capacity for love after deep personal loss.
With his marriage to Francie, Dog The Bounty Hunter also became a stepfather to Francie’s son, Gregory Zecca. The blended family faced another harrowing tragedy in July 2025 (as reported in the source material year, though this might be a future prediction or typo in the original), when Duane’s step-grandson, Anthony, was accidentally shot and killed by Gregory during an accidental shooting in Naples, Florida, as reported by TMZ. This devastating incident brought immense grief to both families. Duane and Francie released a poignant statement to the outlet regarding Anthony’s death, saying, “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony.” This profound sorrow, shared as a newly formed family unit, underscored the deep bonds that had formed between Duane and Francie, and their collective journey through life’s unpredictable challenges. Their marriage stands as a testament to moving forward, finding hope, and rebuilding a life together after experiencing immense heartbreak.
Duane “Dog The Bounty Hunter” Chapman’s life has been an open book, filled with both triumphs and tragedies, love and loss. His six marriages paint a vivid picture of a man constantly seeking companionship, building a family, and navigating the complexities of personal relationships under the intense glare of public scrutiny. From his early days with La Fonda Sue Honeycutt to his enduring partnership with Francie Frane, each wife has played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic figure known worldwide. His journey through marriage, with all its joys and heartbreaks, underscores the profound human desire for connection and the resilient spirit of a man who has lived a truly extraordinary life.