Neal James, the bushy bearded “Banjo Man” from the Animal Planet series The Call of the Wildman, has died. He was 55 and had been battling cardiac issues, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office in his home state of Kentucky.
The coroner said James died Feb. 1 at approximately 1 a.m. at his home in Kentucky. A video clip of his music is above.
James was the sidekick to series star Ernie Brown Jr., aka “The Turtleman.” The reality show aired from 2011 to 2014 and followed the exploits of a Kentucky nuisance animal removal business. Brown and James would catch and release, and James’s easy-going style became a fan favorite.
Beyond the show, James also worked at the Isaiah House in Willisburg, Kentucky, helping recovering addicts.
The coroner said James died Feb. 1 at approximately 1 a.m. at his home in Kentucky. A video clip of his music is above.
James was the sidekick to series star Ernie Brown Jr., aka “The Turtleman.” The reality show aired from 2011 to 2014 and followed the exploits of a Kentucky nuisance animal removal business. Brown and James would catch and release, and James’s easy-going style became a fan favorite.
Beyond the show, James also worked at the Isaiah House in Willisburg, Kentucky, helping recovering addicts.
- 2/2/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Neal James, The Banjo Man on Animal Planet’s “Call of the Wildman,” died early Friday morning in Kentucky. He was 55.
The beloved Banjo Man had “serious heart issues,” Washington County Deputy Coroner Freddie Carey told TheWrap, citing that as James’ cause of death.
James’ body is at the Spurlin Funeral Home in Stanford, Kentucky, Carey told us.
Also Read: Viral 'Singing Veterinarian' and His Family's Practice Land Animal Planet Show (Exclusive)
“We’re saddened to learn of Neal James – The Banjo Man’s passing and we share our sincerest condolences with his wife, family and friends,” Animal Planet told TheWrap in a statement.
“Call of the Wildman” ran for four seasons, from 2011 to 2014. James was a series regular and a fan favorite.
The reality show followed Ernie Brown Jr., aka “The Turtleman.” Neal, his best friend, helped Ernie catch wild animals in central Kentucky.
Read original story Neal James,...
The beloved Banjo Man had “serious heart issues,” Washington County Deputy Coroner Freddie Carey told TheWrap, citing that as James’ cause of death.
James’ body is at the Spurlin Funeral Home in Stanford, Kentucky, Carey told us.
Also Read: Viral 'Singing Veterinarian' and His Family's Practice Land Animal Planet Show (Exclusive)
“We’re saddened to learn of Neal James – The Banjo Man’s passing and we share our sincerest condolences with his wife, family and friends,” Animal Planet told TheWrap in a statement.
“Call of the Wildman” ran for four seasons, from 2011 to 2014. James was a series regular and a fan favorite.
The reality show followed Ernie Brown Jr., aka “The Turtleman.” Neal, his best friend, helped Ernie catch wild animals in central Kentucky.
Read original story Neal James,...
- 2/1/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Neal James has passed away at the age of 55. The outdoorsman, who was known as The Banjo Man on Animal Planet’s Call of the Wildman, had been battling cardiac issues according to the coroner’s office. He passed away in Kentucky at the Isaiah House in Willisburg, a rehabilitation center where he spent time helping others in need. Prior to his death, he had been in and out of the hospital with cardiac issues, according to Coroner Len Benedict. James was a friend of Ernie Brown Jr. who also goes by the name of The Turtleman. It was through Ernie […]
The post Neal James death: ‘Banjo Man’ and ‘Call of the Wildman’ star dies appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
The post Neal James death: ‘Banjo Man’ and ‘Call of the Wildman’ star dies appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
- 2/1/2019
- by Mary Jane
- Monsters and Critics
Neal James -- known as "Banjo Man" on the popular Animal Planet series, "Call of the Wildman" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed. The Washington County Coroner's Office tells TMZ, James had been battling heart issues for years now. He died of natural causes at his Kentucky home. James became a sensation on the reality show, due largely in part to his friendship with the show's star ... "The Turtleman" Ernie Brown Jr. He endeared himself...
- 2/1/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
“Live Action” returns as Animal Planet’s hit series Call of the Wildman – and its charismatic star, Ernie Brown Jr. (a.k.a. Turtleman) – is back for a second season starting June 2 at 9pm Et/Pt, the network announced today. Call of the Wildman Season 2 will feature 20 new episodes. Related: Our Interview With Call Of The Wildman’S Turtleman With his crew of backwoods buddies known as “Team Turtle,” including banjo-toting Neal James, Turtleman continues to protect homes and businesses from all sorts of critters, including coyotes, llamas, venomous snakes, pigeons, skunks, crocodiles and even bulls. Call of the Wildman Season 2 [...]...
- 4/10/2013
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
Following a highly rated season one finale, Animal Planet has renewed Call of the Wildman for a second season. The new 20 episodes will premiere sometime in 2013.
'Turtleman' Ernie Brown Junior was understandably excited by the renewal, exclaiming, "Yi yi yi yi, come git some!"
Here's the press release with some additional details:
Animal Planet'S "Call Of The Wildman" Ends On High Note And Snares Second Snapperlicious Season
-- Back-to-back Finale Episodes Each Deliver 1.3M P2+ Viewers With Season-High Episode Grabbing 1.8M P2+ Viewers --
(New York, September 10, 2012) - There's no rest for the wickedly loveable... Deep within the Kentucky backwoods, Ernie Brown Jr., aka 'Turtleman,' worked hard this Labor Day weekend, ending his Call Of The Wildman season with a huge, live-action snap, helping Animal Planet achieve its best-ever Labor Day Weekend...
'Turtleman' Ernie Brown Junior was understandably excited by the renewal, exclaiming, "Yi yi yi yi, come git some!"
Here's the press release with some additional details:
Animal Planet'S "Call Of The Wildman" Ends On High Note And Snares Second Snapperlicious Season
-- Back-to-back Finale Episodes Each Deliver 1.3M P2+ Viewers With Season-High Episode Grabbing 1.8M P2+ Viewers --
(New York, September 10, 2012) - There's no rest for the wickedly loveable... Deep within the Kentucky backwoods, Ernie Brown Jr., aka 'Turtleman,' worked hard this Labor Day weekend, ending his Call Of The Wildman season with a huge, live-action snap, helping Animal Planet achieve its best-ever Labor Day Weekend...
- 9/10/2012
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
He’s become a cult figure for Animal Planet, and also a ratings hit. Season 1 of Ernie Brown Jr.’s (a.k.a. “Turtleman”) series Call of the Wildman ended its first season last week, over Labor Day weekend, helping the network achieve its best-ever Labor Day weekend ever. Animal Planet’s all-day Call of the Wildman marathon led up to back-to-back season finale episodes, and each delivered nearly 1.3M P2+ viewers and helped Animal Planet rank among the top five ad-supported cable networks in the 10pm time slot among M25-54 and M18-29. The week before, on Aug. 26, Call of the Wildman hit [...]...
- 9/10/2012
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
“Turtleman” (real name Ernie Brown Jr.) made his return to Animal Planet last night in two new episodes of Call of the Wildman. In the episodes, we not only got to see Turtleman in action capturing an array of critters in his home state of Kentucky (beyond just his namesake turtles), but the show has also appeared to start developing his personality and humor a bit more, and it sounds like we will be seeing more of that as the new episodes progress (there are 14 more new ones after last night’s premieres). Related: Our Interview With Turtleman “Miner Threat” [...]...
- 6/4/2012
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
Animal Planet recently announced that Call of the Wildman, starring Ernie Brown Jr. (a.k.a. “Turtleman”) would be back with new episodes on Sundays starting June 3. The network recently gave some details about what some of the first few episodes will be about, and they sound very interesting, to say the least. In one, Turtleman meets “Hogman” in Louisiana, and the two search for wild hogs. And in another, Turtleman becomes a prized bid at a charity bachelor auction! “Coal Mine Creature” — June 3, 10pm. When a beaver begins chewing up the wooden support beams of a rural [...]...
- 5/15/2012
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
Season two of Animal Planet's Call of the Wildman is set to kick off on Sunday, June 3rd. "Turtleman" Ernie Brown Jr. returns as the ultimate animal tracker for 16 new half-hour episodes.
The first season of Wildman ran for 12 episodes, from October 30th through December 25th. It was renewed in late January.
Here's the press release from Animal Plant:
Animal Planet Answers The "Call Of The Wildman" With A Backwoods Block Of New Episodes
- This Summer, Ernie Brown Jr. aka "Turtleman" Returns with 16 New "Snapperlicious" Episodes Featuring Crazy Bare-Handed Animal Rescues -
(New York, April 25, 2012) - Talk about live action! This June, Kentucky's best-kept secret "Turtleman" returns to Animal Planet with 16 brand-new, 30-minute episodes beginning Sunday, June 3, at 10 Pm (et/pt). Now busier than ever, Turtleman is back...
The first season of Wildman ran for 12 episodes, from October 30th through December 25th. It was renewed in late January.
Here's the press release from Animal Plant:
Animal Planet Answers The "Call Of The Wildman" With A Backwoods Block Of New Episodes
- This Summer, Ernie Brown Jr. aka "Turtleman" Returns with 16 New "Snapperlicious" Episodes Featuring Crazy Bare-Handed Animal Rescues -
(New York, April 25, 2012) - Talk about live action! This June, Kentucky's best-kept secret "Turtleman" returns to Animal Planet with 16 brand-new, 30-minute episodes beginning Sunday, June 3, at 10 Pm (et/pt). Now busier than ever, Turtleman is back...
- 4/26/2012
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Today, Animal Planet confirmed that Ernie Brown Jr. (a.k.a. “Turtleman”) would be back in 16 new half-hour episodes of the network’s hit series Call of the Wildman, beginning June 3 at 10pm Et/Pt. The daring, bare-handed animal rescuer is busier than ever, this time finding even more critters than just turtles — including muskrats, river otters, beavers, squirrels, nutria and even wild coyotes. And this time, Turtleman isn’t staying within the state lines of his home Kentucky. Accompanied by his backwoods buddies, including Neal James, handyman Jake Ison and Squirrel Brady (and, of course, Turtleman’s canine companion Lolly and his [...]...
- 4/25/2012
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
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