Chris Doumitt [Gold Rush] Wiki, Bio, Age, Net Worth,Wife, Children.

If you’re a fan of Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush, you’ll know the steady presence of Chris Doumitt—a cornerstone of Parker Schnabel’s crew and a familiar face on the show for more than a decade. Yet Chris’s path to gold mining was anything but ordinary. A master carpenter by trade, he first set foot on a Yukon claim simply to build a cabin for Greg Remsburg’s family. What was meant to be a quick job turned into an unexpected career shift, starting with Todd Hoffman’s crew in seasons 2 and 3, before finding his long-term home with Parker’s team in season 4.

Off the mine site, Chris is a devoted husband to his wife, Sharon, and a proud father. Their marriage has weathered its share of storms, including Sharon’s battle with cancer—a fight that tested their strength but also deepened their bond. Chris stood by her through every step of the journey, balancing his demanding mining schedule with the commitment to be present for his family. Those who know him say this same loyalty and determination are exactly what make him so valued on the crew.

Early Life and Work Ethic

Chris Doumitt was born in August 16, 1951, in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in a farming family where hard work was a way of life. Raised around tractors and heavy equipment, he developed mechanical aptitude early, skills that would later come in handy in the Yukon. Before his mining career, Chris worked as a master cabinet maker and carpenter for over three decades, spending 32 years as a plant carpenter. He also became an expert in firearms, even teaching gun safety courses for the Sandy Police Department.

By age 55, Chris retired from carpentry, expecting a quieter life. That peace didn’t last long—his retirement was interrupted by an unexpected opportunity that would lead him to reality TV fame.

The Accidental Miner

Chris’s entry into Gold Rush wasn’t planned. Greg Remsburg’s father invited him to Alaska to build a cabin for Greg and his family. The job was supposed to take 10 days, but with the lumber still in log form and delays from an unreliable sawyer, it stretched to nearly 10 weeks. During that time, Chris befriended the production crew.

When miner Jimmy Dorsey left Todd Hoffman’s crew, the producers needed a replacement fast. Chris was called, completed his mining safety classes, and joined the Hoffmans—despite having no gold mining experience. 

Transition to Parker Schnabel’s Crew

Chris stayed with the Hoffmans until they decided to mine in South America, a move he saw as risky. Not wanting to be part of what he considered a potential disaster, he left the crew in Season 4 and joined Parker Schnabel’s team. Initially operating heavy machinery, Chris shifted to running the Gold Room after back surgery, where he developed a reputation as one of the most efficient cleanup operators in the Yukon.

While many mines lose between 3–7% of their gold in cleanup, Chris perfected techniques that reduced loss to less than one-thousandth of one percent—making him “worth his weight in gold” to the team.

Life in the Gold Room

For Chris, the Gold Room isn’t just a workplace—it’s a morale hub. He built the current Gold Room facility for Parker himself and added a floating golf green, dart board, radio-controlled boats, and other amenities to give the crew a place to relax after grueling 12-hour days.

Chris sees the mining camp as a family environment, where trust, camaraderie, and emotional support are as important as skill with machinery. Many younger crew members look up to him as a father figure, a role that became even more important to Parker after the passing of his grandfather, John Schnabel.

Beyond the Cameras: The Truth About Gold Rush

In past interviews, Chris has addressed speculation about the authenticity of Gold Rush. He explained that the show is not scripted, although narration can dramatize events. Production crews are not permitted to interfere with mining operations, and safety is taken seriously—new camera operators receive extensive training before working near equipment.

He also shared that one of the most frustrating aspects of filming is doing “pickup shots”—recreating scenes months later, often in completely different weather conditions, while wearing the same clothes for continuity.

Television

Here is a table of Chris Doumitt Television career & facts related to the show:

Year	Title	Role	Episodes	Fact
2011-2025	Gold Rush	Self	252	Chris started his gold mining career by accident in 2010, when he was hired by Todd Hoffman to build a cabin for his crew.
2016-2023	Gold Rush: The Dirt	Self	16	He appeared as a guest on the show’s spin-off that features behind-the-scenes interviews and footage
2019	Gold Rush: The Rise of Rick Ness	Self (archive footage)	1	He was featured in the archive footage of this special episode that focused on Rick Ness’s journey as a mine boss
2019	Gold Rush: Breaking the Piggy Bank	Self (archive footage)	1	He was featured in the archive footage of this special episode that showed how Parker Schnabel and his crew broke their own gold mining record

Tradesmen Cigar Co.: A Side Hustle Turned Brand

Chris’s ever-present cigars on the show led fans to repeatedly ask when he’d start his own brand. In 2017, alongside business partner Harry DeWolf, he launched Doumitt Cigar with two Nicaraguan blends—the Oro Negro and Oro Rechoncho. The brand grew quickly, expanding to include Dominican-made lines such as the D-8, D-10, and the 380-DR series.

In 2020, the TRADESMEN line was introduced to honor American tradespeople, featuring The Master, The Journeyman, and The Apprentice. By 2023, the company rebranded as Tradesmen Cigar Co., now offering 10 premium blends handmade in the Dominican Republic from top-quality global tobaccos. A portion of profits is donated annually to the MikeRoweWORKS Foundation, supporting work ethic scholarships for young people entering the trades.

Wine Making and Personal Passions

Outside of mining and cigars, Chris enjoys making wine—a cabernet-merlot blend when the grape harvest allows—and playing golf, both in the Yukon’s “Top of the World” course and during winters in Southern California. He also enjoys bourbon and port, often pairing them with cigars.

Chris spends about six months a year in the Yukon and the rest split between his Oregon home and his snowbird retreat in Palm Springs with his wife.

Net Worth

On Gold Rush, Chris reportedly earns around $25,000 per episode. While the exact amount he earns from gold mining as part of Parker Schnabel’s crew isn’t public, it’s believed to include additional income tied to gold productivity. Tradesmen Cigar Co. supplements his earnings through cigar sales and branded merchandise. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at approximately $700,000, based on the most recent available information.

Personal Life: Wife, Children, and Life Beyond Gold Rush

Chris Doumitt is a devoted family man whose life has been deeply connected to his decades-long marriage to his high school sweetheart, Sharon. The couple met at David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon, and went on to marry, building their life together in their home state. Sharon later attended Mt. Hood Community College, and the two have shared more than 47 years of marriage.

A Sudden Setback

In 2016, Chris faced a major disruption when his truck—carrying his passport, identification, credit cards, and other essentials—was stolen. Unable to travel, he was rescued by Sharon, who purchased a new truck and, along with their son, personally delivered it to him. Authorities eventually recovered the stolen vehicle in Slave Lake, Alberta, with his passport still inside.

Family and Shared Humor

Chris and Sharon have two children, Jason Doumitt and a daughter whose name remains private, along with several grandchildren. In 2011, Chris posted a memorable Halloween photo of himself with his daughter dressed as his double—complete with matching beanie, jacket, beard, and cigar—showing the family’s shared sense of humor. They also share a love of the outdoors, often enjoying hunting and fishing trips together.

Sharon’s Health Journey

In March 2016, Sharon revealed she had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of endometrial sarcoma. She documented her treatment at Oregon Health & Science University, highlighting the unwavering support of her family and friends. By September 2016, she was regaining strength and had even returned to golfing with their son. Later that year, she suffered a serious knee injury and chose to rehabilitate in a warmer climate instead of undergoing immediate surgery. In November 2017, Chris happily shared that Sharon was cancer-free, her knee had healed well, and life at home returned to normal: “Got home to a hug, kiss, and a honey do list all in one minute.”

Nationality, Ethnicity, Zodiac

Chris is American by nationality and if ethnicity is concerned he is of  Arab descent. His zodiac is Leo and and has traits like confidence, charisma, drama, ambition, loyalty, protectiveness, generosity, luxury, and warmth.

More about Chris Doumitt

A wine connoisseur, Chris is often seen experimenting with new wines. The man is also fond of Cigars and Golf and enjoys spending his off-season in Palm Springs, California, where he likes to fish, play golf, or make his own wine. He is also interested in space exploration and astronomy. He is one of the most popular and respected members of Gold Rush.

Wiki/Bio facts:

Fact	Value
Full name	Chris Doumitt
Date of birth	August 16, 1951
Age	73 years old
Place of birth	Portland, Oregon
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Part-Arab Descent
Height (approx)	5 feet 10 inches
Weight (about)	78 kg
Occupation	Gold miner, reality TV star, former carpenter, cigar maker
Current residence	Palm Springs, California
Marital status	Married
Spouse	Sharon Doumitt
Children	Two (one son and one daughter)
Education	David Douglas High School
Net worth	Estimated at $700, 000
TV show	Gold Rush
Current crew	Parker Schnabel’s crew (since season 4)
Former crew	Todd Hoffman’s crew (until season 3)
Cigar company	Doumitt Cigar
Hobbies	Fishing, golfing, making wine