Oak Island Crew’s NET WORTH Just LEAKED!
Oak Island Crew’s NET WORTH Just LEAKED!

Who is financing The Curse of Oak Island? And how exactly is the show and the digging paid for? And how much does each crew member make? To find out, I delve deep into the numbers and decided to make this detailed video for your satisfaction. I even checked some of the non-crew members’ finances as well, and it shook me.
So, come along with me as I uncover the financial information that opens up new chapters in the story of wealth and discovery. Initially, the cast consisted of a core group including Rick, Marty, and Alex Legina, Dan and Dave Blankenship, Craig Tester, Jack Begley, Dan Hensky, Charles Barkhouse, and Peter Fornetti. And with time, the Oak Island team has expanded. Some specialists who were brought to the island for specific purposes, such as Terry Mat, Larair Nan, and Gary Drayton, have joined the team as full-time members.
The cast is being paid on a per-season deal, so they aren’t legally bound to be present in each single episode. Their deal is the typical reality show deal, so they rake up some serious thousands each per season. On the other hand, they also work up product placement deals, which helps out as well.
So, let’s start off with Rick Legina. Rick was born on January 25th, 1952 in Kingsford, Michigan, USA. Renowned for his role in the reality TV series The Curse of Oak Island, where he leads a team in search of hidden treasures and solving the island’s mysteries, his net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, largely accumulated through his television career and investments related to Oak Island.
Before his television fame, Rick was involved in the energy business. He co-founded Terra Energy Limited, a successful energy company in Michigan, which contributed significantly to his early financial success. But before joining the show, his net worth was substantial, estimated to be in the range of several million dollars. However, his true passion for Oak Island and its mysteries led him to invest a significant portion of his wealth into various expeditions and excavations on the island.
Growing up in a humble household, he developed an interest in history and mysteries from an early age. After completing his education, Rick pursued a career in the energy industry where he found considerable success alongside his brother Marty Legina. But from here onwards, the story took a sharp turn. Their interest in Oak Island was sparked by a 1965 Reader’s Digest article. It detailed the island’s intriguing history and the potential treasures hidden beneath its surface. Rick and Marty became captivated by the mystery and embarked on a journey to uncover its secrets.
In 2014, Rick and his brother Marty became the central figures in the History Channel’s The Curse of Oak Island. The show follows their quest as they employ modern technology and historical research to uncover the island’s secrets. If you ask me, I think Rick’s determination and leadership have been instrumental in driving the team forward, regardless of numerous setbacks and challenges.
Over the years, The Curse of Oak Island has become one of the History Channel’s most popular shows, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. Besides the financial risks involved, Rick’s dedication to solving Oak Island’s mysteries has remained unwavering. His net worth may have fluctuated over the years due to the uncertainties of treasure hunting and television production, but his passion for unraveling the island’s secrets continues to drive him forward, making him a beloved figure among fans of the show.
Now coming over to the support system of Rick, his brother Marty Legina, an American reality television personality, entrepreneur, and engineer, has a net worth of $100 million. He was born on August 26th, 1955 in Kingsford, Michigan, the son of George Jacob and Anna Legina. Marty is probably best known for starring in the History Channel reality TV series The Curse of Oak Island, which premiered in 2014. He has also been an executive producer of the series and starred in the reality TV series The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down since 2016.
But the question is, how did he earn his actual fortune? Outside of being a reality TV star, Marty is also a very successful businessman, and that has allowed him to fund the entire Oak Island Tours operation and treasure hunt. Before becoming a TV star, he found success in the fields of natural gas and wind power extraction. Marty attended Michigan Tech University, after which he started working for Amokco as a petroleum engineer. He went on to get his Juris Doctor at the University of Michigan while working in the petroleum consulting business on the side.
His company, Terra Energy, was a pioneer in extracting natural gas from shale around the Midwest in the 1990s. With this company, he developed over $3 billion in natural gas resources and oil. Marty eventually sold Terra Energy to a company called CMS Energy for $58 million.
But after this, his fortune took him to great heights. He then launched a new company called Heritage Sustainable to focus on wind power. Heritage is currently planning to build 60 wind turbines in Msaki, Michigan. This will make Marty the largest wind energy producer in the entire state of Michigan and one of the largest overall producers in the Midwest. On top of that, he believes he can eventually power 25% of Michigan’s power by wind and wants to replicate that process around the country.
Marty also owns a winery called Mari Vineyards. His family ties go way back to a wine-making family in Italy, so he launched his own winery in 1999. They were not successful at first, but by 2006 they were producing a flagship bottle called Row 7. Today Mari Vineyards owns over 60 acres in Michigan, and his son Alex Legina manages the winery.
As we are discussing the Legina family, let’s talk about Marty’s son, Alex Legina. Born in 1987, his parents, Marty and Olivia, took him to Traverse, Michigan, USA, the same place where he was born. He also had a younger sister, Maddie Legina. Alex attended school at the Michigan College of Engineering, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon completing his degree, he went home to apply his skills to his father’s business. Despite having a successful father, he made a lot of money. According to the press, Alex’s overall net worth is about $50 million.
Currently, Alex is a reality TV star, engineer, and a successful businessman. We’ve seen him assist in the management of a number of his family’s business endeavors. On Oak Island, he plays his trade alongside his father Marty and his uncle Rick, who hold a controlling interest in the island tour company. Alex’s engineering experience makes him an invaluable member of the excavation crew as they work with highly sophisticated technology in quest of treasures.
We learned long before he arrived on the island that Alex worked as an engineer after finishing his studies. Recently, social media has been heated with concerns regarding whether Alex is alive or dead. Excavation is a difficult task, and mining accidents happen more often than people realize. When you add in all of the possible dangers on Oak Island, including sinkholes and crumbling caves, it’s a recipe for disaster for anyone who isn’t careful. Six people are said to have died on the island as a result of excavation work. Alex, on the other hand, is not one of them. These reports were most likely due to him being a member of the excavation crew, exposed to all the hazards that come with the profession.
Now, let’s talk about a treasure seeker who has been on the show for nearly 50 years: Dan Blankenship. A central figure in the Oak Island saga, Dan was born in 1923 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Before his Oak Island pursuits, Blankenship led a diverse life. After serving in the US Army during World War II, he returned to civilian life with a thirst for adventure and exploration. His interests were wide-ranging, but it was his fascination with Oak Island that truly captured his imagination.
Even if he was unable to find the treasure, it is believed that Dan Blankenship’s net worth is about $1 million, which was enough to take care of his family. Dan’s educational background is not extensively documented, but it’s believed he received a standard education for his time. In 1960, he relocated to the island, driven by a desire to uncover its mysteries. His dedication to the quest for treasure became his life’s work.
Dan Blankenship’s social network revolved around fellow treasure hunters, Oak Island residents, and enthusiasts of the island’s history. His reputation as a determined and knowledgeable explorer earned him respect within this community. Blankenship’s family, particularly his wife Jane, stood by him throughout his Oak Island endeavors. Their support was invaluable as he dedicated himself to unraveling the island’s mysteries.
Before Oak Island consumed his attention, Dan led a relatively ordinary life, working various jobs and pursuing his interests. However, his passion for exploration and the enigma of Oak Island transformed him into a legendary figure in the world of treasure hunting. Dan Blankenship’s legacy on Oak Island is profound. His decades-long dedication, perseverance, and expertise played a pivotal role in shaping the island’s modern exploration efforts. Before his death in March of 2019, Dan was Rick and Marty’s partner and the man who knew the most about Oak Island’s legends and its tightly guarded secrets. He spent over 50 years in untold fortune searching, drilling, and digging on the island.
Regarding his involvement with the Legina brothers, it’s important to note that they formed a partnership with Dan to pursue the treasure hunt on Oak Island. While the specifics of financial arrangements are not publicly disclosed, it’s widely known that Blankenship played a significant role in providing historical knowledge and expertise about the island to the Legina brothers. But Dan’s legacy is in the safe hands of his son, Dave Blankenship. He is an American television producer best known for The Curse of Oak Island. David’s net worth is estimated at $1 million, primarily from his work in reality TV and media.
On top of that, Dave leads a very low-key personal life. In fact, not much is known about his personal life, which he keeps private behind closed doors. Surprisingly, he doesn’t have social media accounts and tries hard to avoid mainstream media. In the 1960s, he and his father, Dan Blankenship, began exploring for riches. On the other hand, he worked as a set designer and art director for several television productions.
Blankenship worked as an art director on Purge 3, The Code (2015), Live with Kelly (2009–2011), Head Games, and many more films and television series. He also worked on The Walking Dead (2015), Sleepy Hollow (2014–2015), Army Wives (2009–2012), and Ghost Hunters (2011) as a production designer. Approximately 30 years ago, Blankenship was involved in a catastrophic workplace accident which left him with limited mobility in his left extremities. He’s still able to walk, but the repercussions are evident in his appearance.
On Oak Island, he is an important member of the exploration team looking for old treasures. As part of the Triton Alliance, his father and two other business partners bought the island in 1967. Their real estate property was subjected to excavations and drilling on several promising areas, and they even developed a television show about it. As he avoids mainstream media and maintains his private affairs behind closed doors, there is no further information about his personal life.
Now, let’s talk about Marty Legina’s business partner, Craig Tester. He is famous for being a producer and crew member of the show. Craig was born in Glendale, California. He got his degree in engineering at Delta Upsilon College. In his college days, he was a roommate with his current business partner, Marty Legina.
When he was younger, Craig loved wrestling and wanted to become a wrestler. He wrestled for a short period and took part in some wrestling competitions. Being a mechanical engineer and an expert in drilling, his impact on the treasure hunt is huge. He never became a wrestler, but he became a professional in a different field. He started working with Legina in an oil business. They were very successful because Tester has great engineering skills. He made a fortune with the help of his expertise. Craig has an estimated net worth of around $5 million.
He is a successful businessman and has fans worldwide thanks to the TV show The Curse of Oak Island. The main source of his wealth is his business, but the TV show surely added to his net worth. We can assume his wealth will rise in the future. During his life, he married Rebecca Tester, and they had two kids. They also had a son, Drake, who unfortunately passed away in 2017. His salary on the reality show is unknown, but the average salary for a film/TV producer is $70,000.
While discussing Craig, let’s talk about his stepson, Jack Begley. He is of Caucasian descent, Christian, and American. Surprisingly, Jack has a net worth of $3 million. His work on The Curse of Oak Island is his primary source of income. His biological father is not Craig; Jack’s mother married Craig later.
In terms of education, Begley finished high school and chose to work with his stepfather on the television show instead of continuing his studies. He is estimated to weigh 75 kg and stands 5’7″ tall. Jack enjoys hearty non-vegetarian meals and keeps in shape by working out and lifting weights. Although he prefers a clean-shaven appearance, he likes growing a beard occasionally. On television, he frequently appears wearing a green t-shirt and jeans, which has its own following on social media.
Jack has had a prosperous career as an actor, producer, and businessman. He receives praise for his role in The Curse of Oak Island. Although he is not the most intelligent member of the team, he is always willing to perform tedious and unpleasant jobs. Jack isn’t married and keeps his private affairs out of the spotlight.
Now, let’s talk about an Oak Island historian and tour guide, Charles Barkhouse. Charles grew up in Nova Scotia and on Oak Island, where his grandmother lived. From the beginning, Charles was fascinated by Oak Island and its rich history. His grandmother’s friends on the island gave him antique presents, including a painting and a wing chair. Later, he received a book from his grandmother, which piqued his interest further.
Charles earned a net worth of $5 million from his work. He studied history in college and pursued a career as a historian. He is an Oak Island expert, tour guide, and museum curator. On the show, he discusses historical artifacts, discoveries, and prior investigations. The series particularly explores the Money Pit, Smith’s Cove, Borehole 10X, Site 2, Nolan’s Cross, the Hatch, and the Swamp. Charles spent over two decades living on the island and conducting studies, giving speeches, writing books, and hosting lectures. He officially served as a tour guide for Oak Island Tours, the company that owns most of the island.
There are theories online suggesting Charles is a Templar or Freemason. Charles described himself as a Freemason and a Knight Templar on his Facebook account, though the profile is no longer active.
Now, let’s talk about Rick and Marty’s nephew, Peter Fornetti. The 27-year-old media personality is well-known for being one of the producers of the TV show. Marty and Rick may have helped him break into the television industry. His net worth is estimated at $300,000 to $1 million. Peter was born in 1996 in the United States and graduated from Kingsford High School in 2014. He is dating Rosie Walsh, his longtime girlfriend.
Peter participated in the reality series as a cast member and assistant producer. He has been working as an assistant producer for Prometheus Entertainment since June 2014. In 2011, Peter worked as a hygiene assistant at the John Fornetti Center, and in August 2016, he started working as a research assistant at Marquette University. He is active on Instagram and Twitter but rarely uses Facebook.
Now, let’s talk about Paul Troutman, a researcher and son of legendary treasure hunter James Troutman, who worked with Robert Dunfield and Dan Blankenship in the 1960s. Paul first appeared in the second season of the show and is still active. He has a net worth of around $500,000.
Next is Drake Tester, Craig Tester’s son. Born on July 17, 2000, he appeared in two episodes of the show in 2013. Many fans were devastated by his death on March 26, 2017, at age 16 due to a seizure disorder. At the time of his demise, he was worth $100,000.
Now, let’s discuss Fred Nolan, a land surveyor who first came to Oak Island in 1958. Born on July 5, 1927, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, he began his career in the film industry in the 1950s and has been nominated for Emmy awards. His net worth is $1 million.
Next, we have Billy Ghart, a heavy equipment operator who started working on the show in season 4. He founded William A. Ghart Property Improvement 20 years ago, providing landscaping and trucking services. His net worth is estimated between $2 million and $10 million.
Gary Drayton, a metal detecting expert from Florida, was born on May 30, 1961, in Lincolnshire, England. He has found numerous artifacts and treasures and is married with two daughters. His net worth is around $3 million. He is also a YouTuber with over 865,000 subscribers.
Lastly, the show’s director, Kevin Burns, was born on June 18, 1955, in the United States. He has produced over 800 hours of television programming, with a net worth of $3–5 million.
Regarding the show’s reception, IMDb gives it a 6.9/10 rating, Rotten Tomatoes critics gave 41%, and audiences gave 70%.
The cast reportedly earns about $100,000 per episode. Rick and Marty Legina have earned around $2 million each per season. The excavation team has uncovered gold, silver, medieval wooden tunnels, iron spikes, and other historical artifacts. The B4C shaft and C1 cluster have revealed wooden tunnels dating back centuries, confirming large-scale underground constructions.
Artifacts like iron spikes and hand-forged nails are being analyzed to understand Oak Island’s history. The team continues to excavate the B4C shaft, seeking treasure chambers or vaults. The marsh excavation revealed stone-paved floors and historic roads, adding clues to Oak Island’s mysteries.
The show’s ongoing discoveries of precious metals, underground passages, and medieval tools highlight the immense historical and monetary value of Oak Island. The dedication of the team has provided groundbreaking insights into the island, its treasure, and its enigmatic past.
Subscribe to this channel for more astonishing discoveries. The team’s relentless work continues to reveal Oak Island’s hidden treasures and mysteries, potentially making a profound historical impact.
The team’s persistent dedication and unwavering focus on objectives continuously demonstrate their value, resulting in multiple noteworthy achievements.
The ongoing discovery and understanding of the island’s unusual circumstances make this research incredibly important.
Under enhanced examination, there exists a remarkable possibility of unveiling the concealed and mysterious phenomena within this prohibited realm.
Having puzzled and struggled for centuries, Oak Island might finally be close to unveiling its buried treasures, potentially making a profound historical impact.
By clicking on the video link popping up, you can discover what the researchers found out at Smith’s Cove.








