Brandon Landry is an American reality TV personality and shipyard estimator best known as Troy Landry’s stepson on History’s “Swamp People.” He joined the alligator-hunting show in its fourth season and appeared in about 14 episodes before stepping away from television. He turns 50 on November 2, 2026, and these days his story is less about gators and more about his young son’s fight with a rare liver disease.
| Date of Birth | November 2, 1976 |
|---|---|
| Age | 50 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Occupation | TV Personality, Estimating Manager |
| Stepfather | Troy Landry |
Brandon Landry Biography
Brandon Landry was born Brandon Hotard on November 2, 1976, in Louisiana, and he still uses Hotard as his legal name. He comes from Pierre Part, the small bayou town in Assumption Parish that the Landry family calls home. He is 50 years old as of November 2026.
His mother is Bernita Landry, who married Troy Landry, the hunter known on TV as the “King of the Swamp.” That marriage made Troy his stepfather, according to Collider and ScreenRant. It also gave Brandon two stepbrothers, Jacob Landry and Chase Landry, who both became regulars on “Swamp People.”
Fans often call him Troy’s son, and IMDb lists him that way too. The more accurate word is stepson. Brandon took the Landry name on screen because he hunted under the family’s banner, but his own surname stayed Hotard.
Career
Brandon’s TV career started on History’s “Swamp People,” which follows Louisiana hunters such as the Landrys and Glenn Guist through the 30-day alligator season. He joined Troy’s boat in season 4 in 2013, stepping in for regular deckhand Clint Bowerman. ScreenRant notes that his first credited episode was “Swamp Invaders.”
He was a rookie on the water, and much of his screen time showed him learning the ropes of gator hunting beside Troy. Most of his roughly 14 episodes came in season 4, and he made a few brief returns in seasons 5 and 6, according to Collider. His IMDb credits run from 2012 to 2014.
Brandon never came back as a full-time cast member, but the show kept going without him. “Swamp People” reached its 17th season, which premiered on January 7, 2026, with Troy still hunting and Jacob running his own boat. Chase also led the 2020 spin-off “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion,” which Brandon was not part of.
Away from the cameras, Brandon built a steady career in the shipbuilding trade. His last confirmed role is estimating manager at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, a job he started in late 2013, according to Collider. In that role, he worked out the costs of building and repairing vessels for the yard’s clients.
Is Brandon Landry Dead?
No, Brandon Landry of “Swamp People” is alive. The rumor started when an obituary for a different Louisiana man named Brandon Landry, who died at 24, spread online and got mixed up with the reality star, ScreenRant reported. That man had no link to Troy Landry’s family.
Brandon simply stepped back from TV and kept a low profile. His Facebook page is still active, and he posts now and then about LSU sports and politics. His social media bios also link to Chootem, the Landry family’s merchandise brand.
Personal Life
Brandon is married to Sheli Hotard. He also has two daughters from an earlier relationship, according to Collider. The family stays out of the spotlight, and most updates about them come through Troy’s posts and family fundraising pages.
Brandon and Sheli welcomed their son, Crue Hotard, on July 13, 2024. Soon after birth, Crue was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare condition where the bile ducts are blocked and the liver gets badly damaged. Early surgery did not stop the damage, and the disease moved toward end-stage liver failure.
In January 2025, Crue was added to the liver transplant list at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. On February 6, 2025, the family got the call for a liver, but doctors found it was not the right size match, so the transplant could not go ahead. Troy shared the family’s journey on Facebook in March 2025, writing that his grandson had been on the list for two months, Monsters and Critics reported.
The family teamed up with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to raise money for costs insurance does not cover, and Troy asked fans to donate. In June 2025, Troy announced that Crue was heading in for his transplant, according to ScreenRant. Crue’s COTA page now lists him as transplanted.
Brandon Landry Net Worth
Brandon’s money comes mainly from his shipyard career, not from television. His “Swamp People” run lasted only about 14 episodes over two years. His long-running job as an estimating manager at Conrad Shipyard is the steady income behind his family’s life in Louisiana.
His stepfather, Troy, is the family’s big earner from TV. Troy has led “Swamp People” since its first season in 2010 and also hosted the spin-off “Swamp Mysteries With Troy Landry” in 2018, on top of the family’s Chootem merchandise line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brandon Landry Troy Landry’s real son?
No. Brandon is Troy Landry’s stepson. His mother, Bernita, is married to Troy, and Brandon’s legal surname is Hotard.
How old is Brandon Landry?
Brandon Landry was born on November 2, 1976, so he turns 50 on November 2, 2026.
Did Brandon Landry from Swamp People die?
No. The death rumor came from the obituary of a different 24-year-old Louisiana man with the same name. The “Swamp People” Brandon is alive.
Why did Brandon Landry leave Swamp People?
Brandon was never a long-term cast member. He filled in on Troy’s boat in season 4, made a few short returns after that, and went back to his shipyard career.
Who is Brandon Landry’s wife?
Brandon is married to Sheli Hotard. Their son, Crue, was born on July 13, 2024.
What happened to Brandon Landry’s son Crue?
Crue was born with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. He joined the transplant list at Texas Children’s Hospital in January 2025, and his COTA fundraising page now lists him as transplanted.
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