Duane Ollinger, the oilman and reality television personality best known for starring in the Discovery Channel series Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, has died at the age of 68.
According to reports, Ollinger passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in Texas following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive nervous system disease.
Ollinger became a familiar face to television audiences through Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, which premiered in 2021 and followed his quest to uncover a legendary cache of lost Aztec gold believed to be buried beneath his sprawling property in Utah’s Uintah Mountains.
The series documented Ollinger’s efforts alongside his son, Chad Ollinger, as they searched for evidence of the treasure despite warnings from locals who believed the area was cursed.
According to his Discovery Channel biography, Ollinger built a successful career as a high-risk oil contractor before dedicating much of his time and resources to the treasure hunt at Blind Frog Ranch. Convinced that valuable artifacts and gold lay hidden beneath the property, he invested years pursuing the mystery.
As his health declined, Ollinger stepped away from the series. Josh Feldman, who joined the show during its third season, later assumed a leading role in the treasure-hunting efforts featured in Season 6.
News of Ollinger’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues.
Ryan Skinner, one of his castmates, remembered him as a positive and encouraging presence.
“Sad to report that my good friend Duane Ollinger of ‘Blind Frog Ranch’ passed away earlier today,” Skinner wrote on social media. “Duane was a force of constant positivity, empathy and encouragement to everyone.”
He added that Ollinger often encouraged others to remain true to themselves, recalling his frequent advice: “Tell your truth.”
Ollinger’s death comes amid continued changes surrounding the series. His son Chad left the show last year following legal troubles. In December 2025, Chad was charged in connection with the death of a fellow inmate at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada. Court records later indicated that he was found legally incompetent to stand trial and was ordered to receive treatment at a mental health facility.
Meanwhile, the latest season of Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch recently premiered, with Josh Feldman and his father continuing the search for the elusive treasure that captivated Ollinger for years.
Ollinger is being remembered by fans as a determined adve
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