The Crew Behind The Curse of Oak Island: Biographies, Net Worth, and Mysterious Theories
Charles Barkhouse – The Historian and Templar Theorist?
Charles Barkhouse studied history in college and soon found his calling—Oak Island. As a historian, tour guide, and museum curator, Charles has become a key figure on The Curse of Oak Island. He often shares his deep knowledge of the island’s mysterious artifacts, legendary locations such as the Money Pit, Smith’s Cove, Borehole 10-X, Nolan’s Cross, the Hatch, and the Swamp.
For over 25 years, Charles lived on the island, dedicating his life to research. He wrote books, gave public lectures, and hosted presentations to spread his findings. Officially, he worked as a tour guide for Oak Island Tours—the company owning most of the island.
Interestingly, fans have speculated that Charles might be a modern-day Templar or Freemason, claiming he’s secretly guarding the treasure. On his former Facebook profile, Charles even listed himself as both a Freemason and a Knight Templar—fueling more speculation. That account, however, no longer exists, and Charles has kept a low profile on Twitter and Instagram.
Peter Fornetti – Young Producer Behind the Scenes
Peter Fornetti, the 27-year-old nephew of Rick and Marty Lagina, is one of the assistant producers of The Curse of Oak Island. Born in 1996 in the United States, Peter graduated from Kingsford High School in 2014. Despite being part of a high-profile show, he prefers to stay behind the scenes.
He joined Prometheus Entertainment in 2014 and has worked on the series since its early seasons. Prior to that, in 2011, he served as a hygiene assistant at the John Fornetti Center and later worked as a research assistant at Marquette University.
Peter is dating longtime girlfriend Rosie Walsh, and they’ve often been seen together on social media. His net worth is estimated to be between $300,000 and $1 million.
Paul Troutman – Son of a Treasure Hunter
Paul Troutman, a researcher and reality TV personality, is the son of treasure hunter James Troutman, who collaborated with Robert Dunfield and Dan Blankenship in the 1960s. Paul first appeared in Season 2 of the show and has remained a recurring presence ever since.
Inspired by his father’s work on the island, Paul began his own treasure-hunting journey before ever stepping in front of the camera. His net worth is estimated at around $500,000. While little is known about his education or mother, Paul has a niece named Heather Troutman.
Drake Tester – A Tragic Loss
Drake Tester, the son of producer and engineer Craig Tester, was born on July 17, 2000. He appeared in two episodes of the show in 2013, assisting his father and the Laginas in the Money Pit search. Sadly, Drake passed away on March 26, 2017, at the age of 16, due to a lifelong seizure disorder.
Drake was a bright student at Traverse City Central High School. He was involved in the school choir, cross-country team, and track team. At the time of his passing, his estimated net worth was $100,000. His death marked a deeply emotional moment in the show’s history.
Fred Nolan – The Stubborn Surveyor
Fred Nolan, born July 5, 1927, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a land surveyor who first came to Oak Island in 1958. Known for his independent work and famous discovery of “Nolan’s Cross,” Fred often clashed with the Laginas and other researchers.
Though some confusion surrounds his past, Fred was not a camera operator on shows like The Outer Limits—this appears to be an error conflating him with someone else. Fred focused entirely on Oak Island surveying for decades. His estimated net worth was around $1 million at the time of his death.
Billy Gerhardt – The Heavy Equipment Specialist
Billy Gerhardt, known for operating the show’s heavy machinery, started his own business—William A. Gerhardt Property Improvement—about 20 years ago in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Specializing in landscaping and excavation, Billy’s company frequently helps the team with major digs, especially in Smith’s Cove.
He owns multiple trucks and excavators and is often seen leading difficult operations. Billy’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $10 million. Despite his popularity, Billy keeps his personal life private, focusing solely on work.
Gary Drayton – The Treasure-Hunting Legend
Gary Drayton, born May 30, 1961, in Lincolnshire, England, is one of the show’s most beloved figures. A metal-detecting expert and treasure hunter, Gary started his career in the UK digging for Victorian bottles and clay pipes before moving to Florida.
His first major find in the U.S. was eight pieces of Spanish silver—and soon after, a 1715 Spanish fleet gold and emerald ring worth $500,000. Gary has written books, teaches treasure-hunting classes, and runs a YouTube channel with over 865,000 subscribers.
He is married to Jennifer Gail Savv and has two daughters, Ana and Katya. His estimated net worth is $3 million.
Kevin Burns – The Visionary Producer
Kevin Burns, born June 18, 1955, was the creator and executive producer of The Curse of Oak Island. A prolific screenwriter and media executive, Burns also worked with A&E, National Geographic, AMC, and more. He produced over 800 hours of TV content before his death in 2020.
His net worth was estimated between $3 million and $5 million. He played a crucial role in shaping the series and making Oak Island a global phenomenon.
How Much Do They Make?
Each season of The Curse of Oak Island has over 20 episodes. According to Distractify, the Lagina brothers earn approximately $100,000 per episode—equating to about $2 million per season. While exact salaries for other cast members vary, many receive a substantial amount per episode due to the show’s success.
Recent Discoveries: Tunnels, Treasures, and Templar Clues
The team’s dedication to digging the B4C shaft has yielded exciting results, including traces of gold near the Money Pit and discoveries of medieval tunnels 90 feet below the surface. These structures suggest that intricate passageways were built centuries ago—possibly in the 15th century.
Other discoveries include:
- A metal clasp potentially dating to the Victorian era or earlier, hinting at past treasure hunters.
- A handcrafted iron spike believed to be centuries old.
- Elevated silver and gold levels in the C1 cluster area.
Artifacts like these hint at a long history of secret activity on the island, possibly involving the Knights Templar or early European explorers.
The earliest recorded treasure hunt on Oak Island dates back to 1795, when three teenagers dug the original Money Pit, encountering mysterious timber platforms and flooding.
Conclusion: Mystery Still Unsolved
Despite years of digging, research, and heartbreak, the treasure of Oak Island remains elusive. But with every new find—be it a spike, tunnel, or coin—the mystery deepens.
The dedication of people like Charles Barkhouse, the Lagina brothers, Gary Drayton, and others has turned Oak Island into one of the most fascinating unsolved stories of our time. Whether the treasure is real or symbolic, their quest for truth continues to inspire.
