Virginia, USA – Steven Ray Tickle, better known simply as “Tickle,” was born on November 30, 1976, in Virginia, and has become a recognizable face on American television. Rising to fame in 2013 with the Discovery Channel docudrama Moonshiners, Tickle partnered with Tim Smith in the high-stakes world of illicit alcohol production, quickly capturing audiences with his daring and charm. The show’s success led to a spin-off series, Tickle, further cementing his status as a reality TV star.
Before his television career, Tickle was an accomplished carpenter, known for building Clyde’s Restaurant in the Washington metropolitan area. Carpentry remained a long-time passion, even before the fame and spotlight of TV came into his life.
Tickle briefly explored political ambitions, reportedly considering a run for the U.S. Congress in 2015 against Representative Robert Hurt in southern Virginia. However, his legal troubles—including arrests for drunkenness in 2013 and illegal firearm possession in 2015—prevented these ambitions from taking shape. His three-year jail term for the firearm charge was initially suspended, but probation violations landed him in prison for five months. Despite rumors of an accident that allegedly claimed his life, Tickle remains alive and continues his work.
Financially, Tickle has benefited from both his TV career and his carpentry skills. Since his Moonshiners debut, he is estimated to have earned over $1 million from the series alone, with an annual salary of $175,000. His carpentry and restaurant work add further value, bringing his net worth to an estimated $500,000 as of 2020.
On the personal front, Tickle keeps his private life largely out of the public eye. He lives in rural Virginia and is known to be a devoted father to his 17-year-old daughter, Daisy. Details about his romantic life remain undisclosed.
Despite his ups and downs, Tickle’s fans continue to follow his journey, intrigued by his daring exploits on screen and his dedication off-screen. From crafting fine carpentry to navigating the turbulent world of moonshining, Steven Ray Tickle remains a figure of resilience, adaptability, and enduring fascination.
