What Happened to Art Burke After Ice Road Truckers? Biography, Wife, Age, and Personal Life

History Channel’s hit reality series Ice Road Truckers pulled viewers into one of the most dangerous jobs in the world—hauling massive loads across frozen lakes and treacherous northern highways. The show, which premiered in 2007, followed a cast of fearless drivers as they braved subzero temperatures, unpredictable ice conditions, and grueling isolation in order to keep remote communities supplied with essentials. Among the standout personalities was Canadian trucker Art Burke, who joined the series in later seasons and quickly became a fan favorite. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, colorful language, and deep experience navigating icy routes, Burke embodied the gritty resilience that defined the show.

But after the cameras stopped rolling, many fans were left wondering: What happened to Art Burke after Ice Road Truckers?

Early Life and Background

Art Burke was born on November 20, 1953. His hometown is listed as Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, according to information available on his Facebook profile. Before his television career, Burke spent years working in Canada’s North as a truck driver, experiences that demanded grit and resilience and helped shape the tough personality that later defined him on screen. He once highlighted his Irish heritage, proudly crediting his roots for shaping his outspoken and resilient nature.

Over the years, Burke worked a variety of jobs before finding his true calling in trucking. His eventual move to the Northwest Territories placed him at the center of Canada’s northern trucking industry, where opportunities in ice-road freight hauling were expanding. Based in Yellowknife, he gained the decades of experience that prepared him for the spotlight of reality television.

Art Burke’s Ice Road Truckers Career

Art Burke joined Ice Road Truckers in Season 7 (2013) as a Yellowknife-based driver with more than 13 years of trucking experience, as he stated in his debut episode. He introduced himself with his trademark blunt humor, saying he had come from Yellowknife to Winnipeg to work for VP Express and was ready to “attack these roads and level them out.” He also admitted that he had never driven the Manitoba ice roads before, showing his willingness to face new challenges head‑on.

Viewers were instantly drawn to his tough, straight‑talking demeanor, colorful language, and ability to keep calm under extreme pressure. Burke didn’t shy away from confrontation, bluntly saying he was someone who wouldn’t tolerate being pushed around, a no‑nonsense attitude that became a hallmark of his on‑screen persona. His confidence was evident when he joked about being a good‑looking guy with a good‑looking truck, bringing a mix of humor and bravado to the series.

Despite his boldness, Burke admitted to having no idea where he was going during some of his first runs in Manitoba. Rather than worry, he found excitement in the unknown, famously saying that if you gave him a million dollars he couldn’t tell you where he was headed—but he loved the thrill of it. This fearless, adventurous streak resonated with fans and made him one of the show’s most authentic characters.

After being fired from VP Express following a falling‑out with the company’s owner, Burke made a strategic move to Polar Industries. This switch paid off when he hauled the final, winning load in the Season 7 finale, helping Polar edge out VP Express in the season’s load count competition. Over the course of Seasons 7 through 11 (2013–2017), he appeared in roughly 38 episodes, cementing his status as a central figure on the show. One particularly dramatic moment saw him rescue a cameraman after his truck’s front wheels broke through the ice, earning him immense respect both on and off screen.

From Season 7 through Season 11, Burke’s role steadily grew. After joining Polar Industries and proving himself with critical loads, he became a familiar face in later seasons. In Season 8 and 9, he showed resilience on Canada’s winter roads, earning a loyal following with his blunt humor and grit. By Season 10, Burke was firmly established as a Polar driver, taking on high‑stakes hauls that supplied remote communities.

In Season 11 (2017), Burke worked alongside veterans like Alex Debogorski, Todd Dewey, Steph Custance, and Lisa Kelly, who had stepped into a leadership role at Polar. That final season revealed a more reflective side of Burke, who set a simple personal goal: “not to wreck anything and have everything go good.” He emphasized teamwork, saying he hoped everyone could deliver the loads safely and make it home in one piece. By the time Ice Road Truckers ended, Burke had secured his place as one of the show’s most authentic and unforgettable cast members, remembered for both toughness and hard‑earned humility.

Life After Ice Road Truckers

After Ice Road Truckers concluded in 2017, Art Burke’s life entered a new and dramatic chapter. The timeline of his post-show years provides both highlights and hardships.

March 23, 2017 – Farewell to the Ice Roads: On March 23, 2017, Burke posted on Facebook that he was heading out on what he called his “last trip this Ice Road season.” Standing beside a statue of Hollywood legend John Wayne, he wrote: “I’m gonna travel safe. You do the same. OK?” and even asked if the screen cowboy could drive a truck as well as he could. Blending humor with reflection, the post served as a light‑hearted farewell and a rare glimpse of him acknowledging the close of his ice road chapter.

September 27, 2017 – Offering Help to Puerto Rico: Later that year, while Season 11 was still airing its final episodes, Burke made a heartfelt post offering his services as a professional trucker to help in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. The post underscored his willingness to use his trucking skills for humanitarian causes and his empathy for communities in crisis.

2018 – Explosion and Legal Troubles: The following year, in November 2018, Burke’s life was upended when he caused a major explosion in his Yellowknife apartment while attempting to produce “shatter,” a concentrated cannabis extract. The blast left him with burns over about 40% of his body and caused more than $60,000 in damages to the building.

2020 – Sentencing: In October 2020, Burke pleaded guilty to arson by negligence. He received an 18‑month conditional sentence, which included six months of 24/7 house arrest at his Prince Edward Island home followed by nightly curfew restrictions. He was also ordered to pay over $20,000 in restitution. Reports noted that he was allowed to serve part of his confinement in his truck cab to maintain his livelihood.

These events marked a sharp contrast to his on-screen persona as a rugged, hardworking trucker. Since then, Burke has kept a low profile with no notable public appearances, but many fans continue to remember him fondly for the grit, humor, and authenticity he brought to Ice Road Truckers.

Personal Life (Wife, Harley Davidson & Family Life)

Away from the ice roads, Art Burke often shared glimpses of his personal life with fans on social media. A passionate motorcycle enthusiast, he owned a 1998 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide with the classic carbureted 1340 Evolution engine. He proudly described it as a hot ride with custom chrome and straight pipes that gave off the unmistakable Harley rumble. Burke often joked that it would be a cold day in hell before he parted with his beloved Harley, highlighting the deep pride he took in his bike and biker lifestyle.

Burke also frequently mentioned his partner, affectionately calling her his “old lady.” The two appeared together in several posts, including a 2017 fan contest where Burke asked supporters to help him reach 16,000 page likes. He promised winners a free autographed photo or even a personal phone call, showing how he valued his connection with fans. These glimpses into his private life painted a picture of a man who was not only a tough trucker but also a biker at heart, with a down-to-earth sense of humor and loyalty to those close to him.

Wiki Bio Facts Table

Field	Details
Full Name	Art Burke
Birthdate	November 20, 1953
Hometown	Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Heritage	Irish roots (self-described)
Current/Former Residence	Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (career years); Prince Edward Island (later years)
Known For	Cast member of Ice Road Truckers (Seasons 7–11)
Occupation	Trucker, Reality TV personality
Nationality	Canadian
Age (2025)	71 years old