Lyssa Rae Brittain is best known as the third wife of Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of A&E’s Dog the Bounty Hunter. Nicknamed “Big Lyssa,” she was married to him from 1982 to 1991. She is the mother of three of his children: Barbara Katie, Tucker Dee, and Lyssa Rae, who appeared on her father’s reality show as “Baby Lyssa.”
Dog the Bounty Hunter became one of reality TV’s most recognizable stars in the 2000s. His big blond hair, sunglasses, and large family made the show a hit. But his family story stretches back long before the cameras.
One key chapter belongs to Lyssa Rae Brittain. This article covers her years with Duane, the children they had, and why she has stayed so far from the spotlight her family later stepped into.
Quick Facts: Lyssa Rae Brittain
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Lyssa Rae Brittain |
| Nickname | “Big Lyssa” |
| Known as | Duane “Dog” Chapman’s third wife |
| Married | 1982 |
| Divorced | November 20, 1991 |
| Children with Duane | Barbara Katie (1982 to 2006), Tucker Dee (born 1983), Lyssa Rae (born 1987) |
| Wedding setting | Colorado mountains (as reported) |
| Birth date | Not publicly confirmed |
| Hometown | Not publicly confirmed |
| Career | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Lyssa Rae Brittain?
Lyssa Rae Brittain is the woman Duane Chapman married in 1982, according to Wikipedia. She was his third wife.
She’s often called “Big Lyssa” to tell her apart from her daughter, also named Lyssa Rae, who’s known as “Baby Lyssa.”
She was never a regular on her ex-husband’s TV shows. Her name is known through her children and her place in Duane’s long family history.
The Man Lyssa Married
Duane Chapman was born on February 2, 1953, in Denver, Colorado. His early life was rough.
In 1977, a Texas jury convicted him of murder in connection with a 1976 robbery in Pampa, Texas, during which another man fired the fatal shot, according to Wikipedia. He served 18 months at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville before being paroled.
After prison, he became a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. That was the life he was building when he met Lyssa.
A Wedding in the Colorado Mountains
Lyssa and Duane married in 1982. Wikipedia notes that their wedding was reportedly performed by a Native American chief in the Colorado mountains.
It was an unusual ceremony, fitting for a man whose life was already far from ordinary.
Duane had been married twice before, to LaFonda Sue Honeycutt and Anne Tegnell, and already had several children.
Their First Child, Barbara Katie
Lyssa and Duane’s first child, Barbara Katie Chapman, was born on June 8, 1982, according to Wikipedia.
Barbara Katie died on May 19, 2006, at just 23. Her death came one day before her father’s wedding to Beth Smith, his fifth wife.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the whole family, and one that Duane has spoken about over the years.
Their Son, Tucker Dee
Lyssa and Duane’s second child, Tucker Dee Chapman, was born on September 8, 1983, according to Wikipedia.
Tucker has appeared in news coverage over the years, but he has not been a regular on his father’s TV programs.
He is one of Duane’s many sons from several relationships.
Their Youngest, “Baby Lyssa”
Their third child, Lyssa Rae Chapman, was born on June 10, 1987, according to Wikipedia.
She became known to TV audiences as “Baby Lyssa” on Dog the Bounty Hunter, where she appeared with her father and other family members.
As an adult, Baby Lyssa has spoken publicly about her difficult childhood. Those experiences are part of her own story, which she has chosen to share in her own words.
The End of the Marriage
Lyssa and Duane divorced on November 20, 1991, according to Wikipedia. They had been married for about nine years.
Neither has given a detailed public explanation for the split.
Duane went on to marry Tawny Marie soon after, in his fourth marriage.
Duane’s Rise to Reality TV Fame
Duane’s career took off in 2003. On June 18, 2003, he captured fugitive Andrew Luster, an heir to the Max Factor fortune, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, according to Wikipedia.
The capture made headlines and led to his A&E series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, which ran from 2004 to 2012.
He later starred in Dog and Beth: On the Hunt on CMT (2013 to 2015) and Dog’s Most Wanted on WGN America (2019).
Duane Chapman’s Later Marriages
Duane married Beth Smith on May 20, 2006. She became a co-star and business partner. Beth died of throat cancer on June 26, 2019, in Honolulu.
In 2021, Duane married Francie Frane in Colorado, his sixth marriage.
Through all those chapters, Lyssa’s children remained part of his large, complicated family.
A Very Big Family
Duane has many children by several partners. Wikipedia’s infobox lists 13 children, though the article names 12.
Lyssa’s three children make up an important branch of that family. Barbara Katie, Tucker, and Baby Lyssa are half-siblings to Duane’s many other children, including Leland and Duane Lee, who appeared on the show.
Keeping track of the whole family is a challenge, even for longtime fans.
Clearing Up the Confusion About Lyssa Rae Brittain
Many websites write about Big Lyssa with details that aren’t confirmed. Here is what to keep in mind.
Two Lyssas. Lyssa Rae Brittain (“Big Lyssa”) is the mother. Lyssa Rae Chapman (“Baby Lyssa”) is her daughter. Some sites confuse the two.
Her age and background. Birth dates and hometowns online are not confirmed.
Her career. Some sites list jobs or businesses. None are confirmed.
How they met. Different accounts exist, mostly from Duane’s side. Lyssa hasn’t shared hers.
Her life now. Claims about where she lives or whether she remarried aren’t confirmed.
Why Lyssa Rae Brittain Stays Out of the Spotlight
Lyssa’s marriage to Duane ended more than a decade before he became a TV star. She was never part of the show’s main cast.
While her daughter has spoken out publicly, Big Lyssa herself has stayed quiet. She doesn’t appear to give interviews.
That silence keeps her life private, even as her family’s story has played out on national TV.
Lyssa Rae Brittain Today
As of 2026, Lyssa Rae Brittain’s current life hasn’t been confirmed by trusted sources.
Her son Tucker and her daughter Baby Lyssa are both adults. Her daughter Barbara Katie is remembered by the family 20 years after her death.
Duane, now in his seventies, remains a well-known TV figure, married to Francie Frane.
Final Thoughts
Big families are often remembered for their loudest members. In the Chapman family, that’s clearly Duane. But every large family is made of many smaller stories, each one shaped by a different parent and a different chapter.
Lyssa Rae Brittain’s chapter lasted nine years and produced three children, one of whom the family lost far too young. Those years came long before reality TV, when life was harder and much less public.
Her story is a reminder that behind every famous family is a long list of people who helped shape it, then stepped away. Some never tell their side. That doesn’t make their part any less real.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Lyssa Rae Brittain?
Lyssa Rae Brittain, known as “Big Lyssa,” is the third wife of Duane “Dog” Chapman. They were married from 1982 to 1991.
How many children did Lyssa Rae Brittain have with Dog the Bounty Hunter?
Three: Barbara Katie (1982 to 2006), Tucker Dee (born 1983), and Lyssa Rae “Baby Lyssa” Chapman (born 1987).
Is Lyssa Rae Brittain the same as Lyssa Chapman?
No. Lyssa Rae Brittain is the mother (“Big Lyssa”). Lyssa Rae Chapman is her daughter (“Baby Lyssa”), who appeared on Dog the Bounty Hunter.
When did Lyssa Rae Brittain and Duane Chapman divorce?
Their divorce was finalized on November 20, 1991.
How many times has Dog the Bounty Hunter been married?
Six times: to LaFonda Sue Honeycutt, Anne Tegnell, Lyssa Rae Brittain, Tawny Marie, Beth Smith, and Francie Frane.
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