Joseph “Big T” Richard” Now: His Wiki/Bio, Injury Update, Net Worth, Wife, Girlfriend.

He wasn’t born into television fame—but Big Tee, known off-camera as Joseph Rogers Richard, earned his place in the Louisiana swamps through real hunting experience and a quiet confidence that translated well on screen. He joined Swamp People in 2018—a History Channel series documenting the lives of alligator hunters during Louisiana’s gator season in the Atchafalaya Basin—and quickly gained recognition. Starting out as a deckhand for Daniel Edgar, Big Tee built respect for his steady demeanor and reliability in high-stress hunts. But just as his time on screen began to gain traction, he quietly disappeared—leaving fans wondering why. This is the story of Big Tee’s rise on Swamp People, the health battles he fought off-camera, and the road he’s taken since.

How Big Tee got his Nickname

Big Tee was not always called by his nickname. His real name was Joseph Roger Richard, and he got his nickname from his big brother, who was 27 years older than him. His brother called him Tee, which is a French word for petite, because he was very small as a child. Tee hated his nickname, but it stuck with him for his whole life. When he grew up, people added Big to his nickname, and he became Big Tee.

How Daniel Edgar Became a Father Figure to Tee

Tee’s dad and Daniel Edgar had a lifelong friendship. They shared many experiences, from growing up together to hunting in the swamp. Daniel was like a part of Tee’s family, and he was there when Tee was born. He also taught Tee the skills and secrets of hunting. Tee looked up to Daniel and admired his influence. Daniel often took Tee along on his hunting trips, and Tee did many things for the first time with him. Daniel became a father figure to Tee, and in the swamp, family is everything.

Tee’s Shooting Secrets: Practice Makes Perfect

Tee has one of the most accurate hands on the show. One of the best sharpshooters in the business, Tee is often asked for his secrets with guns. But when it comes to shooting, Tee has a simple formula, practice, practice, and practice. As his family lived off the land, it nurtured Tee’s skills and helped him progress as a shooter.

Early Life and Background

Born as Joseph Rogers Richard, Big Tee was raised in southern Louisiana in a tight-knit family deeply rooted in hunting traditions. He learned the basics of swamp survival from a young age, guided by his father, Milton Smith, and by the cultural customs of the Cajun region. Long before television fame, Big Tee had built a reputation among local hunters for his skills and spirit. He also held deep respect for Cajun spiritual practices—his mother was a traiteur, or traditional healer, and that belief system stayed with him throughout life, especially during difficult times.

The Rise and Fall of Big Tee: A Swamp People Star Who Vanished from the Bayou Spotlight

Big Tee was raised in a hunting family, learning the ropes of swamp survival long before the cameras ever rolled. When he joined the cast in Season 9 (2018) as Daniel Edgar’s deckhand, it wasn’t just another hire—it was a natural fit. Daniel took Big Tee under his wing as a mentor, even a father figure, and their bond soon became a highlight of the show.

Offscreen, Big Tee already shared a deep connection with the Swamp People crew. He had known Troy (Landry) and his sons, Jacob and Chase, Bruce Mitchel, RJ, and Jay Paul (Molinere) for years.

Big Tee’s Swamp People Journey: From Deckhand to Fan Favorite

Big Tee’s impact was felt immediately in Season 9, which aired in 2018. He debuted in “Cajun Cartel” (S9.E2), where Daniel Edgar tested out a new deckhand. During the episode, Daniel and Big Tee were already off to a strong start with a full load of gators worth over $1,100. But it was a remarkable long-range shot that truly marked Tee’s breakout moment. Spotting a massive 12-foot alligator across a wide canal, Big Tee took the shot from over 100 yards—a hit that even Daniel called “impressive.” With the gator sinking fast, the duo worked together to retrieve it, with Big Tee delivering a critical second shot under the boat.

The moment was more than just TV drama. It was deeply personal. As the gator was pulled aboard, Big Tee reflected on his late father, Milton Smith, and how meaningful it was to share this milestone with Daniel, his father’s best friend. “My dad’s not here to see me kill my first big gator with a rifle, but I know he saw it,” he said. That emotional connection—between past, tradition, and mentorship—resonated strongly with viewers.

In “Comeback Kings” (S9.E11), Big Tee set an ambitious personal milestone: to catch five alligators over ten feet long in his late father’s old hunting grounds. By the time the episode begins, he and Daniel Edgar already had four giants in the boat. With a mix of determination and nostalgia, Tee pressed on to complete his goal—not just for himself, but to honor his dad’s memory.

The emotional weight of the moment was clear. “I know one thing,” he said, “if my dad’s staring down from up above, he’s got a big old smile on his face.” Catching monster gators alongside his father’s best friend, Daniel, brought him closer to his roots and reinforced his place on the team. By the end of the day, with another big gator on board, Big Tee had proven something not just to the crew—but to himself.

In “Savage Showdown” (S9.E14), Big Tee brought a bit of unconventional flair to the Edgar boat. To help reach Daniel’s ambitious goal of catching 20 meaty gators in a single day, Big Tee introduced his secret weapon—what he called “magic juice.” The concoction, a foul-smelling blend applied to fresh chicken bait, was meant to lure in the biggest beasts in the bayou.

Though Daniel was skeptical, the bait worked. Big Tee and Daniel hauled in a ten-foot gator worth nearly $400 in meat value. While Daniel joked that it would take more than one alligator to convince him, Tee’s creative approach showed his growing confidence and contribution to the team’s success. It was one more example of Big Tee carving out his identity—not just as a deckhand, but as a valued member of the Edgar hunting crew.

His presence continued across Season 9’s high-stakes episodes like:

• “Hell Rains Down” (S9.E5) — where Daniel and Big Tee faced a violent tropical storm while hunting near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Battling lightning and flooding, they eventually turned back, incurring one of their biggest financial losses of the season. Tee’s resilience stood out, telling Daniel, “As long as I’m helping you, they don’t matter.”
• “Black Lagoon Battle” (S9.E12) — where he stood firm as the Edgar family battled through adversity.
• “Poacher from Hell” (S9.E13) — where rising tension pushed both Daniel and Big Tee to the edge. As Daniel’s nerves began to show under mounting pressure, Big Tee struggled to remain calm while trying to line up a shot. Despite the stress, the two secured a strong catch.
• “Swamp Savage” (S9.E15) — where tensions rose between rival crews.
• “Lockjaw” (S9.E17) — where harsh cold fronts tested the endurance of every gator hunter.

Big Tee in Season 10: Rising Stakes and Personal Challenges

Big Tee returned in Season 10 (2019), standing strong beside Daniel Edgar as the duo faced a new wave of challenges. In “No Man’s Land” (S10.E4), the two journeyed by land to reach a remote honey hole, showcasing their relentless determination to outmaneuver elusive gators.

He was back in action again in “Cow Killers” (S10.E5), where Daniel and Big Tee responded to a distress call from an old friend—demonstrating the respect they had earned in the swamp community. But as the season progressed, signs of physical strain began to show. In “Bringing the Heat” (S10.E6), Big Tee suffered an injury that left Daniel to hunt solo, highlighting both the dangers of the trade and the strength of their bond.

In “Wild Wild Swamp” (S10.E11), Daniel and Big Tee confronted poachers in Bayou Crook Chene—a region known for illegal hunting activity. After discovering their lines had been cut, they launched a tense nighttime stakeout, confronting suspected poachers who fled the scene. Although they weren’t able to identify the culprits, the message was clear. As Big Tee put it, “They can’t keep stealing from me. This is our livelihood.” Their firm response appeared to deter further incidents, and Daniel later reflected, “I don’t think they’ll ever come back. Mission accomplished.”

In a Season 10 bonus episode, Big Tee revealed how much his knee injury was affecting his ability to hunt. “There’s no way I could get back in this boat and handle big gators,” he admitted. Instead of pushing through the pain, he visited a traiteur—a traditional Cajun healer—hoping for relief through prayer. “My mom was one,” Tee shared, reflecting on his cultural roots and belief in spiritual healing. Though the moment was deeply personal, it also underscored how physically demanding the gator season had become for him.

Despite the setback, Big Tee rallied later in the season. In “Rolling with the Punches” (S10.E13), he and Daniel tried out a special bait in a last-ditch push to tag out. They ended their season with “Tag Out or Die Trying” (S10.E14), where they tracked a long-time nemesis—the elusive gator known as Black Gold. After multiple failed encounters in previous seasons, Big Tee and Daniel finally cornered the massive beast in an abandoned oil rig canal, one of the gator’s known hiding spots.

The showdown was intense, filled with missed hooks and shots, but Big Tee ultimately delivered the critical hit. As they loaded the last tag, the moment was both triumphant and symbolic. “Same sucker that stole from us last year,” Tee said. “He won the battle, but he didn’t win the war.” With the season’s final click, Daniel called it: “D-U-N, done.”

Big Tee in Season 11: Final Hunts and Farewell Moments

Big Tee’s final season on Swamp People was Season 11 (2020), where he once again joined forces with Daniel Edgar to take on the growing gator threat. In “Return to Froggy Bayou” (S11.E2), the duo got creative with baiting tactics to maintain their edge. Later, in “Friday the 13th” (S11.E6), they chased down a legendary bait-stealer nicknamed The Ghost, showcasing their resilience despite eerie swamp conditions.

In “Deadeye Driver” (S11.E7), Daniel and Big Tee were back in action protecting their territory from trespassers, proving just how far they’d come as a team. The duo also tackled high temperatures in “Swamp on Fire” (S11.E12)—a grueling hunt that saw them risk venturing into unprotected marshlands to tag out under the scorching Louisiana sun.

Big Tee’s last known appearance came in the final stretch of the season, as the Edgars fought to complete their tag quota while navigating broken airboats, punishing heat, and remote swamp terrains. Season 11 marked the end of his television journey, closing a chapter that had earned him deep respect from fans and fellow swampers alike.

Big Tee’s Health and Financial Struggles: Why He Left Swamp People

Big Tee’s departure wasn’t just a career pause—it was the result of serious health complications and financial strain that unfolded both publicly and privately. In 2019, he suffered a serious injury when a scratch from an air-conditioning vent became infected due to complications from diabetes. The infection escalated, requiring two surgeries: one to clear debris and another to remove an infected bone from his toe.

Sidelined for four months, he also underwent a six-week antibiotic treatment at home and missed the critical alligator hunting season—his primary source of income. To cope with mounting medical expenses, Big Tee launched a fundraising campaign on Facebook. Supporters and fellow cast members, including Daniel Edgar, contributed through donations and a benefit event held at Bubba’s Sports Bar in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

On November 11, 2022, he posted a photo holding championship belts from The Courtableau Bar, but the image also revealed his leg wrapped in a brace—indicating he was still healing nearly three years after his injury. In February 2025, another photo surfaced showing Big Tee with professional pool player Billy Thorpe, still wearing a supportive knee brace, suggesting his recovery remains incomplete.

Ultimately, it was these ongoing health issues, coupled with lost hunting income and recovery setbacks, that forced Big Tee to step away from Swamp People. While fans continue to hope for his return, the likelihood appears slim as he focuses on his long-term health and recovery journey.

Big Tee’s Net Worth

Big Tee’s exact net worth is unknown, and no official figures have been publicly confirmed. While some reality TV cast members on Swamp People reportedly earn between a few thousand to over ten thousand dollars per episode depending on seniority and screen time, newer or supporting cast members like Big Tee likely earned significantly less. Given his limited appearances across three seasons and the health-related break in his career, it is unlikely that he accumulated substantial wealth from the show alone. Moreover, medical expenses following his surgeries and recovery period may have offset much of his earnings. As of 2025, Big Tee’s net worth remains unverified.

Personal Life: Wife & Children

Big Tee is currently unmarried and was last known to be in a relationship with Christine Moss, a medical assistant. The two began dating in July 2022, and a Facebook post shared by Christine in November 2022 shows the couple smiling together—suggesting they were close at that time. However, there have been no recent public updates about the current status of their relationship.

Before Christine, Big Tee was in a relationship with Lesley Faverino Wills, who lived in Lafayette, Louisiana. She was known to support his risky lifestyle on Swamp People, standing by him despite the inherent dangers of gator hunting.

Although Big Tee has never publicly confirmed having children, he has shared glimpses of his role as a mentor within his family circle. In one photo, he poses proudly with a young boy after a successful deer hunt—the child is his godchild. The moment, set against a backdrop of rural tradition and pride, illustrates Big Tee’s presence as a mentor and family-oriented figure, even if he isn’t a parent himself.

Physical Traits

Big Tee is a heavyset man with a broad build and a full beard. He is often seen wearing a camouflage shirt, rubber boots, and a cap—clothing that reflects his familiarity with outdoor life. Photos from his time on Swamp People and personal social media show him alongside alligators, deer, and young family members, embodying the rugged environment he comes from. Whether or not he is currently active in hunting, his physical presence—defined more by character, tradition, and resilience—continues to make him a recognizable figure in Louisiana’s bayou culture.

Quick Facts About Big Tee (Joseph Richard)

Full Name	Joseph Rogers “Big Tee” Richard
Nickname	Big Tee
Known For	Swamp People (Seasons 9–11)
Debut Episode	Season 9, Episode 2 (“Cajun Cartel”)
Primary Role	Deckhand and sharpshooter for Daniel Edgar
Mentor	Daniel Edgar
Family Influence	Trained by father Milton Smith; mother was a traditional Cajun traiteur
Close Associates	Troy Landry, Chase & Jacob Landry, Bruce Mitchell, R.J. & Jay Paul Molinere
Episodes Appeared	15 (2018–2020)
Notable Episodes	“Cajun Cartel”, “Comeback Kings”, “Savage Showdown”, “Cow Killers”, “Swamp on Fire”
Last Appearance	Season 11 (2020)
Reason for Exit	Health complications from diabetes, knee injury, and financial strain
Current Status	Not active on the show as of 2025