Few names in reality television have stirred as much curiosity, admiration, and controversy as Steven Ray Tickle. Born on November 30, 1976, in Virginia, Tickle rose from humble roots as a carpenter to television fame through Discovery Channel’s hit docudrama Moonshiners. Now 43 years old, Tickle remains one of the show’s most recognizable faces, often playing the sidekick to the infamous Tim Smith, one of America’s most-wanted moonshiners on the show.
While Moonshiners launched Tickle into national stardom in 2013, the Virginia native had already built a respectable career — literally. Tickle is a skilled carpenter, credited with working on the construction of Clyde’s Restaurant, a well-known establishment in the Washington metropolitan area, particularly near the Verizon Center in downtown D.C.
Following the success of Moonshiners, Tickle’s popularity led to a spin-off simply titled Tickle, further cementing his place in the reality TV world. But fame came with its share of missteps.
In 2013, Tickle was arrested for public drunkenness after being spotted drinking from an open container in a parking lot — a citizen complaint that added to his notoriety. In 2015, more trouble followed when he was arrested for illegal firearm possession. Although he initially received a suspended sentence, Tickle later violated probation terms and served five months in jail.
Rumors of his death circulated briefly during this time, likely sparked by his legal issues and absence from the spotlight — but they were quickly dismissed.
Despite these setbacks, Tickle once considered a bold career change. In 2015, he publicly mulled over a congressional run, eyeing Southern Virginia’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, potentially challenging then-incumbent Rep. Robert Hurt. While the campaign never materialized, the mere suggestion showcased Tickle’s evolving ambitions.
Financially, Tickle’s reality TV appearances have paid off. Reports suggest he has earned over $1 million from the Moonshiners series alone, with an estimated annual income of $175,000 during peak seasons. Combining that with his carpentry career, authoritative estimates place his net worth at over $500,000 as of mid-2020.
Tickle’s personal life, however, remains largely out of the public eye. He was born to Louise Eileen Tickle, with little publicly known about his father. According to some reports, his father’s prolonged illness deeply affected Tickle in his youth, leading to struggles with substance use — struggles he has since overcome.
One bright spot in his private world is his daughter, Daisy Tickle, now 17 years old, who describes her father as a loving and supportive parent. Details about Daisy’s mother remain undisclosed, and Tickle himself keeps tight-lipped about any romantic relationships.
Currently living a quieter life in rural Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Tickle continues to work in Gretna, blending manual craftsmanship with intermittent appearances on screen.
For fans who’ve followed him through arrests, moonshine busts, and television fame, Tickle remains a compelling figure — part outlaw, part craftsman, part celebrity.
Whether he chooses to step back into the spotlight or continue his off-grid lifestyle, Steven Ray Tickle’s story is far from over.
