What’s Become of ‘Swamp People’ Star Brandon Landry?
Brandon Landry may not be a major Swamp People cast member anymore, but some fans still wonder what happened to the gator hunter from Troy Landry’s boat.
Legally known off-screen as Brandon Hotard, he made a memorable, but brief run on the hit History Channel show. But Brandon has since stepped away from the spotlight, which has sparked rumors.
Brandon joined the Landry family when his mother, Bernita, married Troy Landry, making him the King of the Swamp’s stepson. He joined Troy’s younger sons, Jacob and Chase Landry, as part of the same gator-hunting crew, first appearing on Swamp People in season 4 when he filled in for Clint Bowerman after Clint stepped away to manage his turtle farm. He mainly appeared in 14 episodes, mostly in season 4, with a brief return in season 5 and season 6.
While not a main focus of the series, Brandon had his moments, especially because his Swamp People appearances offered insight into how an inexperienced gator hunter learns on the job. He also didn’t come without controversy on the show. One gator hunter related to the Landry clan once allegedly claimed that Brandon’s Cajun wasn’t real and was fabricated by production.
Years later, a false rumor circulated online, claiming that something tragic had happened to Brandon. The confusion stemmed from the obituary of another Louisiana man also named Brandon Landry. Some fans mistakenly assumed it referred to the former Swamp People cast member. In reality, Swamp People‘s Brandon is alive and well, just living a quiet life off-screen.
‘Swamp People’s Brandon Landry Has Been Occupied With His Young Son’s Rare Illness
Brandon’s recent years have been consumed with a personal battle: his infant son’s critical health condition. Although he has two daughters from a previous relationship, Brandon and his current wife, Sheli Hotard, welcomed Crue Hotard on July 13, 2024. The baby was born after an emergency C-section and initially spent time in the ICU. Although the baby was healthy enough to go home, Crue’s health eventually raised concerns because of his elevated bilirubin levels. Crue was ultimately diagnosed with biliary atresia — a rare condition in which the liver’s bile ducts are blocked. Despite early corrective surgery, the disease tragically progressed into end-stage liver failure.
By January 2025, Crue was officially placed on the transplant list at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. To raise awareness, the family posted about Crue’s condition on social media and partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to raise funds, because insurance did not cover all medical costs.
The COTA account will also assist Crue with transplant-related expenses into adulthood, should he need ongoing care, which Brandon acknowledged is likely, as a liver transplant isn’t a cure but a lifelong commitment to medication and medical oversight.
Crue almost received a transplant in February, but the liver was ultimately a mismatch. Since then, the family has continued to wait for a viable donor match, with ongoing updates on social media. As of April 2025, Crue remains on the transplant list.
Though Brandon hasn’t returned to television or done any public interviews, his digital presence offers subtle hints about what he’s doing now.
He still maintains his Facebook page from when he was on the show, and both his Instagram and Twitter bios link to Chootem, the official merchandise and branding hub for the Landry clan.
While he continues to often post on Twitter semi-regularly and is mostly seen commenting on LSU games and political topics, the fact that both social bios still include the Landry family’s official site suggests that while Brandon may not be on camera, he may still be tied to the business side of the brand. However, in what capacity is unknown.
Professionally, his last confirmed job was as an estimating manager at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, La. — a role he began in late 2013. His current employment status, however, remains unclear. Based on what we know, however, Brandon is likely living with or very close to Troy Landry and the extended Landry family, who are known to be tight-knit and deeply supportive during family crises.
Brandon Landry’s Future on ‘Swamp People’ Seems Unlikely, and That’s Understandable
A return to Swamp People seems highly unlikely for Brandon, but it’s not completely out of the question. His original appearances were temporary, and his exit didn’t receive any on-air explanation. Since then, the show has shifted focus and leaned more into high-energy hunts and long-term and more ambitious deckhands like Pickle Wheat and Little Willie. Brandon’s low-key, learning-on-the-job arc doesn’t exactly fit the current mold.
Collider has reached out to Brandon for an update on his current situation, Crue’s status, or any thoughts on a potential return to the show. As of now, no response has been received.
That silence isn’t surprising, as Brandon’s social media activity shows that he still values his roots and stays close to the Landry name, but he prioritizes privacy, especially during a time when his family is going through a deeply personal, high-stakes medical crisis. His story may no longer unfold in front of History Channel cameras, but in real life, Brandon’s journey continues, and we wish the best for him, his family, and his son’s health.
