Glenn Guist [Mitchell Guist’s Brother]: What Happened to Him? Wiki, Bio, Age, Net Worth, and Life After Swamp People

Glenn Guist didn’t plan on becoming a television personality. He didn’t audition, seek fame, or build a brand. Instead, he simply lived his life—quietly, resourcefully, and rooted deep in the Louisiana bayou. And it was that very authenticity that made him unforgettable to millions of viewers.

From his first appearance on the History Channel’s Swamp People in 2011, Glenn stood apart. With his distinctive white beard, worn cap, and steady, unhurried pace, he offered a compelling alternative to the high-energy gator hunters surrounding him. Glenn and his younger brother Mitchell brought something different to the screen: a portrait of rural resilience, a bond of brotherhood, and a swamp-born lifestyle that hadn’t changed much in generations.

Their scenes weren’t about chasing monsters or counting trophies. They were about catching dinner, fixing boats, and building porches from cypress logs “fished” out of the bayou. They showed America what survival looks like when it’s quiet, competent, and lived every single day. In a world of scripted drama, Glenn’s life was the real story.

Early Life and Family Roots

Glenn Guist was born on February 8, 1958, in Brittany, Louisiana. Raised in a region known for its strong Cajun influence, he grew up in a family that followed traditional swamp-based living—rooted in hunting, fishing, and self-sufficiency—reflecting many aspects of Cajun culture prevalent in the area. The Guist family followed a way of life closely connected to the rhythms of the swamp, grounded in values of hard work, family loyalty, and self-reliance.

He is the son of Hubert Guist and Bonnie Albritton. Glenn was raised in a close-knit household with four siblings—Mitchell, Hubert Jr., Daniel, and Tonya. The family lived near the Conway Bayou, between Gonzales and Sorrento, Louisiana. Fishing and alligator hunting were not merely seasonal occupations but integral to their everyday livelihood and identity.

Glenn shared a particularly close bond with his younger brother Mitchell, with whom he spent most of his adult life. Their similar lifestyle and appearance often led viewers and acquaintances to believe they were twins. However, they were not—Mitchell was Glenn’s younger brother.

Television Career on Swamp People

Glenn and Mitchell Guist appeared on Swamp People beginning in Season 2 (2011) as self-sufficient residents of the Louisiana bayou. Unlike many cast members focused on commercial alligator hunting, the Guist brothers showcased a traditional Cajun lifestyle rooted in fishing, hunting, and living off the land. Their close-knit bond and day-to-day survival captured a different side of swamp life—emphasizing practical living skills and daily routines rarely emphasized elsewhere in the series. Their segments quickly became a recognizable and memorable part of the show’s broader portrayal of life in the Louisiana wetlands.

How Glenn and Mitchell Joined Swamp People (2011)

The Guist brothers’ entry into the spotlight began when a friend of theirs submitted their story to the show’s producers. It wasn’t long before a production crew arrived at their door. Known in their hometown of Brittany, Louisiana—between Gonzales and Sorrento—for their rustic lifestyle and colorful personalities, Glenn and Mitchell’s authentic bayou living instantly appealed to the creators of Swamp People. What started as a simple suggestion by a friend quickly turned into a televised journey that would make the brothers household names.

The Early Years with Mitchell: Brotherhood and Bayou Living (2011–2012)

Glenn and Mitchell Guist, born and raised in the bayou, were introduced during Season 2 Episode 5 (“Hot Pursuit”) as men with a “unique way of getting business done.” Unlike the others chasing gator tags, the Guist brothers focused on subsistence hunting—rabbits, squirrels, gar, and other wild game to keep their pantry stocked. In Episode 6 (“Dark Waters”), facing low food supplies, the duo set out on a rabbit hunt guided only by Glenn’s intuition. This improvisational style defined their presence on the show: resourceful, humorous, and deeply rooted in a culture where intuition often trumped tools.

Their simple lifestyle and sibling dynamic gained further spotlight in episodes like “Rising Pressure” (S2E12), where they hunted squirrels for dinner, and “Two Captains, One Family” (S2E14), when they gathered meat for their father’s famed squirrel and dumplings recipe. Even during the off-season episode “Swampsgiving” (S2E17), the Guists stood out—trading a caught rabbit for snapping turtles with a neighbor, turning their humble catch into a Cajun feast. It was not about trophies for the Guists; it was about tradition.

Tragedy and Transition (2012–2013)

By Season 3, their popularity remained steady. In “Avenged” (S3E5), the brothers were shown salvaging cypress wood for their porch in a classic Cajun way—”fishing” old logs out of the swamp. They continued to fish for alligator gar and run small personal adventures, such as assisting in moving a friend’s houseboat in “Under Siege” (S3E11).

On May 14, 2012, Mitchell Guist passed away at the age of 47 after suffering a seizure near Belle River. The May 17, 2012 episode titled “Voodoo Bayou” (Season 3, Episode 14) was dedicated to his memory.

By the start of Season 4, Glenn appeared on screen mourning his brother. In Episode 2 (“Texas Hold ‘Em”), Glenn, whose home had recently been flooded by Hurricane Isaac, took a moment to remember Mitchell. Despite the emotional toll, Glenn continued to represent his and Mitchell’s way of life—focused on subsistence, family, and connection to the swamp.

Glenn’s Solo Journey and New Partnerships (2013–2015)

In Season 4, Glenn carried forward the Guist legacy, stepping into his new solo role. He teamed up with Liz Cavalier, working as her assistant in Episode 16 (“Sabotaged”). Though he hadn’t hunted gators in years, the experience was both healing and challenging for Glenn. Their short partnership ended in “Down Goes the King” (S4E17), when Glenn left for family obligations in Gonzales.

In Episode 19 (“Blood Runs Deep”), Glenn rejoined longtime friend T.K., hunting rabbit and gar for a family gathering. In the season finale (“Deadly Divide”), Glenn and his friends completed a project that Mitchell had started before his passing—a houseboat they named “Camp Mitchell.”

Glenn spent much of Seasons 4 to 6 in and around Pecan Island, Louisiana, continuing his off-the-grid lifestyle. He maintained a low profile but was frequently featured performing tasks that kept him connected to the land—fishing, fixing up his property, and helping neighbors in need. His segments often focused on survival, home maintenance, and community exchanges rather than gator hunting.

Season 5 and Beyond: Glenn as the Veteran Spirit (2014–2018)

Glenn returned in Season 5 as a recurring participant with Team Liz. Alongside Liz’s husband Justin, Glenn assisted in hunts and continued his involvement with tasks such as catching turtle, gar, and small game. In episodes like “Hooked” (S5E6), “Gator Ambush” (S5E15), and “Metalhead” (S5E19), Glenn supported the team as they pursued daily tag quotas. He also played a role in continuing Mitchell’s legacy by contributing to hunts and swamp projects rooted in their shared lifestyle.

In Season 7’s “Home Turf” and “Cannibal Country,” Glenn remained active around Gonzales, fixing up properties, including the so-called “leaning house of Louisiana.” Season 8 showcased more of Glenn’s personal battles, such as returning to his flood-damaged home and dealing with its aftermath (“Fresh Blood”). He fulfilled a lifelong dream in “Pressure’s On” and started a new business in “Brutus the Cannibal.”

Throughout Season 9, Glenn took on a variety of roles, including mining for swamp cash (“Comeback Kings”), ghost hunting (“Lone Hunter”), and trying out risky hobbies (“Hotter Than Hell”). His storylines leaned heavily into survival and community themes, offering a slower, more grounded contrast to the high-stakes gator hunts of other cast members.

Glenn Guist’s Long-Term Role and Departure from Swamp People (2011–2018)

From Season 2 (2011) to Season 9 (2018), Glenn Guist portrayed traditional bayou life on Swamp People, focusing on subsistence, family, and self-reliance. He was prominently featured in Seasons 2–6 (2011–2015), and continued to appear in Seasons 7 (2016), 8 (2017), and 9 (2018), often in segments focused on home restoration, survival tasks, and community work.

Mitchell Guist’s sudden death in 2012 marked a turning point in Glenn’s story. Though Glenn remained active on the show, his role gradually shifted away from joint adventures toward solo survival and remembrance-based projects.

After Season 9, Glenn did not return to the series, quietly stepping away from the spotlight. As of April 2025, Swamp People is airing its 16th season, with the final episode scheduled to air on April 24, 2025.

Life After Swamp People: Where Is Glenn Guist Now? Health, Wife, and Kids Update

Following his departure from Swamp People, Glenn remained in Brittany, Louisiana, where he continues to live in his old family home. In 2020, Glenn made a rare media appearance in the independent film Go Fishin’, credited as playing himself. The film offered another brief look into Glenn’s world beyond reality TV.

A fan page update from November 2023 provided additional insight into his current life. According to the post, Glenn has quit smoking and drinking—both several years ago—and appears to be in good health.

Despite his years on television, those close to him say that fame never changed him. Glenn is still described as the same good-natured, kind, and friendly backcountry man he always was. His connection to fans also remains intact. Although he has largely avoided public life, the fan page noted efforts to distribute remaining signed photographs to longtime supporters.

Glenn has not shared any public details about his marital status or children, and there are no known records of relationships. Of his immediate family, only his sister Tonya Guist is known to be living.

Physical Traits and Net Worth

Glenn Guist stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall. He is known for his rugged appearance, marked by a long, flowing white beard, shoulder-length hair, and a signature cap that rarely leaves his head. One of Glenn’s most distinctive features is his eyes. He wears glasses, and his right eye appears naturally brown while his left eye has a cloudy, milky-white appearance—likely the result of a past injury or condition, giving him a heterochromatic look that adds to his unique on-screen presence. His physical features have remained consistent throughout his time in the public eye, making him easily recognizable to fans.

Glenn’s net worth is estimated at around $300,000. His earnings primarily come from alligator hunting, his appearances on Swamp People, and the sale of merchandise. His income and lifestyle reflect his continued reliance on traditional, subsistence-based living rather than commercial ventures.

Glenn Guist Wiki / Bio – Quick Facts

Field	Details
Full Name	Glenn Guist
Known For	Swamp People (History Channel)
Date of Birth	February 8, 1958
Age (as of 2025)	67 years old
Place of Birth	Brittany, Louisiana, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Occupation	Alligator Hunter, Reality TV Personality
Years Active on TV	2011–2018
Famous For	Appearing with brother Mitchell Guist on Swamp People
Marital Status	Unmarried (no known public records)
Children	None known
Parents	Hubert Guist (father), Bonnie Albritton (mother)
Siblings	Mitchell (late), Hubert Jr., Daniel, Tonya
Residence	Brittany, Louisiana
Notable Appearance	Go Fishin’ (2020) as Himself
Net Worth	Estimated $300,000
Height	Approx. 5 feet 6 inches
Eye Color	Heterochromatic (Brown right eye, Cloudy left eye)
Known Traits	Quiet, resourceful, devoted to swamp life
Smoking/Drinking	Quit both several years ago