Brian Barczyk
{{Short description|American YouTuber (1969–2024)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Brian Barczyk
| image = Brian Barczyk 2019 01.png
| caption = Barczyk in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date|1969|9|6}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|1|14|1969|9|6}}
| death_place = Warren, Michigan, U.S.
| channel_handle = BrianBarczyk
| channel_display_name = Brian Barczyk
| years_active = 2011–2024
| subscribers = 5.61 million
| silver_button = yes
| gold_button = yes
| stats_update =
}}
Brian Henry Barczyk (September 6, 1969 – January 14, 2024){{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/arts/television/brian-barczyk-dead-reptiles-venom-hunters.html|title = Brian Barczyk, a Reptile Evangelist on YouTube and TV, Dies at 54|last = Deb|first = Sopan|date = January 16, 2024|accessdate = January 16, 2024|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited|archive-date = January 16, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240116210333/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/arts/television/brian-barczyk-dead-reptiles-venom-hunters.html|url-status = live}} was an American reptile enthusiast, YouTuber, and founder of the Reptarium Reptile Zoo and Legasea Aquarium.{{cite news |last1=Manoj |first1=Manoj |title=Brian Barczyk Illness: The Latest Health Update |url=https://leedaily.com/2023/03/24/brian-barczyk-illness/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Lee Daily |date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105182442/https://leedaily.com/2023/03/24/brian-barczyk-illness/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hotts |first1=Mitch |title=Downtown Utica to welcome Christmas with fireworks fun and visit from Santa |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/22/downtown-utica-to-welcome-christmas-with-fireworks-fun-and-visit-from-santa/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Macomb Daily |date=November 22, 2023 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105182441/https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/22/downtown-utica-to-welcome-christmas-with-fireworks-fun-and-visit-from-santa/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Dodgeson |first1=Lindsey |title=YouTube's resident exotic animal expert explains why he feels most alive when working with reptiles that 'could potentially kill' him |url=https://www.insider.com/brian-barczyks-youtube-channel-converts-people-into-reptile-lovers-2020-1 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Business Insider |date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504055955/https://www.businessinsider.com/brian-barczyks-youtube-channel-converts-people-into-reptile-lovers-2020-1 |url-status=live }} He was also featured as a star on the TV series Venom Hunters by the Discovery Channel.{{cite web |last1=Soltes |first1=John |title=INTERVIEW: Enter the world of venom hunter Brian Barczyk, star of new Discovery series |url=https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/interview-enter-the-world-of-venom-hunter-brian-barczyk-star-of-new-discovery-series/ |website=Hollywood Soapbox |date=February 15, 2016 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105182441/https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/interview-enter-the-world-of-venom-hunter-brian-barczyk-star-of-new-discovery-series/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Oates |first1=Barb |title=Venom Hunters' Brian Barczyk on Chewy, 6-figure snakes, milking, snake bits and more |url=https://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2016/02/24/what-is-snake-venom-worth/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Channel Guide Magazine |date=February 16, 2016 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105182442/https://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2016/02/24/what-is-snake-venom-worth/ |url-status=live }} Barczyk had the third-largest collection of snakes in the world, with over 30,000 snakes, and assisted with venom milking.{{cite web |last1=Conte |first1=Peter |title=Professionals reveal what it takes to extract venom from a deadly king brown snake |url=https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/latest/venom-hunters-king-brown-snake-deadly-encounter-brian-barczyk/b4f40cb4-3339-4b52-8c7f-d3c0cc4378a6 |website=Nine.com.au |access-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105182441/https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/latest/venom-hunters-king-brown-snake-deadly-encounter-brian-barczyk/b4f40cb4-3339-4b52-8c7f-d3c0cc4378a6 |url-status=live }}
Early life and career
Brian Henry Barczyk was born on September 6, 1969. He grew fascinated with animals from a trip to the zoo at the age of two. Thereafter, Barczyk continued practicing his love for animals, specifically reptiles. He appeared on YouTube beginning in 2011, and starred on channels such as SnakeBytesTV. He collaborated with other YouTubers such as Jake Paul, Logan Paul, Marshmello, Liza Koshy, MrBeast, Coyote Peterson, and David Dobrik.{{Cite news |last=Yen |first=Amanda |date=January 13, 2024 |title=Reptile Vlogger With Terminal Cancer Posts Gut-Wrenching Farewell Video |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/brian-barczyk-reptile-vlogger-with-terminal-cancer-posts-gut-wrenching-farewell-video |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The Daily Beast |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114154254/https://www.thedailybeast.com/brian-barczyk-reptile-vlogger-with-terminal-cancer-posts-gut-wrenching-farewell-video |url-status=live }}
Personal life
In 1992, Barczyk married Lori Ann Herman; they had two children, Noah and Jade. All have an active interest in reptiles.{{Cite web |title=Reptile Zoo Owner with Cancer Says He Won't Live to See Dream Aquarium Open: 'I Don't Have Long' |url=https://people.com/reptile-zoo-owner-brian-barczyk-says-he-wont-live-to-see-dream-aquarium-open-8424230 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114060710/https://people.com/reptile-zoo-owner-brian-barczyk-says-he-wont-live-to-see-dream-aquarium-open-8424230 |url-status=live }}
= Illness and death =
In 2023, Barczyk was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, which he revealed on his vlog. On January 5, 2024, he publicly stated that he would be entering hospice care.{{cite news |title=Owner of The Reptarium says goodbye in emotional video as he prepares to enter hospice care |url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/owner-of-the-reptarium-says-goodbye-in-emotional-video-as-he-prepares-to-enter-hospice-care |access-date=January 6, 2024 |publisher=WXYZ |date=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105204646/https://www.wxyz.com/news/owner-of-the-reptarium-says-goodbye-in-emotional-video-as-he-prepares-to-enter-hospice-care |url-status=live }} He died nine days later at his home in Michigan, at the age of 54.{{cite news |title=Reptile vlogger Brian Barczyk dead at 54 |url=https://bnonews.com/index.php/2024/01/reptile-vlogger-brian-barczyk-dead-at-54/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |publisher=BNO News |date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115213556/https://bnonews.com/index.php/2024/01/reptile-vlogger-brian-barczyk-dead-at-54/ |url-status=live }}
References
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Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in Michigan
Category:Place of birth missing
Category:YouTubers from Michigan
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