{"id":2443631,"date":"2026-06-03T19:46:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2443631"},"modified":"2026-06-03T19:46:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:46:08","slug":"duane-ollinger-star-of-discoverys-mystery-at-blind-frog-ranch-dies-at-68","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/duane-ollinger-star-of-discoverys-mystery-at-blind-frog-ranch-dies-at-68\/","title":{"rendered":"Duane Ollinger, star of Discovery&#8217;s \u201cMystery at Blind Frog Ranch\u201d, dies at 68"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Key points<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Duane Ollinger died at 68 on June 2 in Amarillo, Tex.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His costar Ryan Skinner said that he died from respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia amid a battle with ALS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Another colleague, Emery Smith, said that Ollinger died from respiratory arrest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Duane Ollinger, the star of Discovery&#8217;s <em>Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch<\/em>, has died.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The reality star died at 68 in the ICU at a hospital in Amarillo, Tex., on Tuesday, two of his costars announced in separate posts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ryan Skinner, who appeared on 10 episodes of <em>Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch <\/em>between 2023 and 2025, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/BlindFrogRanch\/comments\/1tvbi3n\/sad_to_announce_that_duane_died_today\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:shared a post;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;shared a post&quot;}\" class=\"link \">shared a post<\/a> on Reddit claiming that Ollinger died from respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia amid a battle with ALS.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Emery Smith, who was credited on one episode of the show and said that he has worked at Blind Frog Ranch since 2023 on his <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emery-smith-699929112\/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSNReNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKWW5mM0ZDcVNhbEFYN2xDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtMuI56xhYI5iG8ovkeBM41AgGoiKeGpGoFANQzFD-xkiR4VJ8LWv6OUzcZL_aem_i1qZKuvDlYyyriUabcYG2w\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:LinkedIn profile;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;LinkedIn profile&quot;}\" class=\"link \">LinkedIn profile<\/a>, said that Ollinger died from respiratory arrest in a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/emery.s.smith\/posts\/pfbid0pf1hV5SEZJaDbTCSwDGLqnhidiHkZoMxMXqrYqb8udaPxTcqD3wJrLRd77CHMvVVl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Facebook post;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Facebook post&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Facebook post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Both Skinner and Smith said that Ollinger suffered multiple strokes over the last few years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Duane Ollinger on &#8216;Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Craig Carpenter\/Discovery<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A Discovery Channel spokesperson shared a tribute to Ollinger with <em>Entertainment Weekly<\/em>. &#8220;Duane Ollinger leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and determination,&#8221; the spokesperson said. &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">EW has reached out to Blind Frog Ranch for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch<\/em> followed Ollinger and his son Chad as they searched Utah\u2019s Uinta Basin for ancient Aztec gold. The show launched in 2021, and treasure hunter Josh Feldman took over the investigation in season 6, which premiered last week, after Ollinger fell ill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ollinger previously worked as a high-risk oil contractor before turning his focus to treasure hunting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;His mission was leaving a legacy and helping others to the extent of supporting our projects for the betterment of humanity,&#8221; Smith wrote in his post. &#8220;He was outgoing and had an adventurous spirit and was highly intelligent and psychic. He was connected to intelligence agencies through our mutual friends and colleagues.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He continued, &#8220;He was always up for a new mission and adventure. He was one of the most important people on my team and still is. He was a powerhouse leader, ambassador, and liaison for the team and this planet. His knowledge and experience on the team was a critical role for the\u00a0 planet&#8217;s survival and the health of its inhabitants, a true humanitarian.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/ew-dispatch-newsletter-11812417\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:EW Dispatch newsletter;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;EW Dispatch newsletter&quot;}\" class=\"link \"> EW Dispatch newsletter<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Skinner also wrote a sweet tribute to Ollinger. &#8220;Duane and I shared a long friendship and worked together on the Blind Frog Ranch that meant a lot to both of us,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;What I\u2019ll remember most is his humor, his intelligence, and the way he could make light of any situation. He cared deeply about his family and was always willing to help others.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He added, &#8220;He was a man of his word, a [truly] caring [individual] with a heart as big as Texas, and an open mind to both spirit and adventure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/duane-ollinger-dead-mystery-at-blind-frog-ranch-star-was-68-11990284\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Entertainment Weekly;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Entertainment Weekly&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key points Duane Ollinger died at 68 on June 2 in Amarillo, Tex. His costar Ryan Skinner said that he died from respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia amid a battle with ALS. Another colleague, Emery Smith, said that Ollinger died from respiratory arrest. Duane Ollinger, the star of Discovery&#8217;s Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2443632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[358332,479727,479728,479731,479732,479730,447215,479729],"class_list":["post-2443631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-discovery-channel","tag-duane-ollinger","tag-emery-smith","tag-frog-ranch","tag-ollinger","tag-respiratory-arrest","tag-respiratory-failure","tag-ryan-skinner"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Duane-Ollinger-star-of-Discoverys-Mystery-at-Blind-Frog-Ranch.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2443631"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2443633,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443631\/revisions\/2443633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2443632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2443631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2443631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2443631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}