Now in its 12th season, The Curse of Oak Island is one of the most popular treasure-hunting reality TV shows ever. Over the years, we’ve watched the Lagina brothers (aka Rick and Marty) welcome all kinds of colourful characters to the team, including Jack Begley.
Not just a treasure enthusiast, Jack has a special connection with the show and its cast. He’s served as Associate Producer of The Curse of Oak Island since 2015 (just one year after the show launched). He’s also the stepson of Craig Tester, the former college roommate of Marty and mastermind behind a huge amount of research, mapping and earth scanning used to plan Oak Island digs.
At Sky HISTORY, we’re huge fans of the show and were curious to learn more about Jack. Read on for the full rundown of the Oak Island mainstay.
From the Midwest to Nova Scotia
Jack Begley was born in Michigan on 23rd August 1975. His Midwest roots are something he shares with the Lagina brothers and no doubt helped forge the close connection they share.
Jack’s mother, Rebecca went on to marry Craig Tester. Together they had a son called Drake, Jack’s half-brother. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 16 after a lifelong battle with a seizure disorder.
A family affair
Following his mother’s marriage to Craig Tester, it was only natural that Jack grew up in the Oak Island orbit. It wasn’t long before Jack himself was a bona fide ‘Fellowship of the Dig’ member.
Jack Begley was introduced to viewers in the first season of The Curse of Oak Island as a young treasure hunter. He quickly became known as the guy willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the secrets (and hopefully, treasure!) of Oak Island.
After joining the team, Jack forged close relationships with Oak Island veterans like the late Dan Blankenship. He took on a mentor-like role toward Jack and helped deepen his understanding of the island’s lore. And more importantly, show him that perseverance is everything when it comes to treasure hunting.
Muck and mystery on Oak Island
Whether it’s hauling buckets of mud, manually sifting through excavated spoil piles, crawling into tight shafts or wading chest-deep through the infamous Oak Island swamp, you’ll never see Jack shy away from dirty work.
Personal resilience has also helped Jack earn his stripes with the Oak Island team and viewers. This emotional strength was amplified by the loss of his younger stepbrother, Drake Tester, in 2017. His death was a devastating blow for the Tester-Begley family, the Oak Island crew and fans of the show.
Formal training? No need!
Unlike some of his crewmates, Jack doesn’t have a formal engineering or geology background. What he does have? Enthusiasm, sharp eyes and bucketloads of persistence. Over the years, he’s helped the Oak Island team recover everything from centuries-old parchment buried in wet muck to coins, artifacts, and other treasures.
Boots on the ground
And of course, Jack has his role as Associate Producer, helping to shape both storytelling and search efforts on Oak Island. This dual role means he’s not just a cast member but a genuine pair of boots on the ground.
Top finds include:
- Parchment fragment found over 150 feet deep in Borehole H8, suggesting buried documents (Season 5, Episode 10)
- Hand-forged pickaxe head dated to the 18th-century uncovered on Lot 15, pointing to early excavation activity on Oak Island (Season 8, Episode 17)
- Pewter spoon bowl from the 1700s found near the pickaxe (Season 8, Episode 18)
- Decorative lead object, possibly ceremonial, tied to theories involving the Knights Templar (Season 6, Episode 2)
- Ring bolt in granite boulder, likely used for hauling heavy loads (like treasure!) on Oak Island (Season 7, Episode 14)
- Spanish and British coins uncovered across the island (e.g., Season 4, Episode 5; Season 5, Episode 2)
- Human bone fragments from the Money Pit area with mixed ethnic DNA (Season 5, Episode 12)
A cult following with Oak Island fans
Jack’s scruffy beard, Midwest accent and even his clothing choices have earned his legions of fans. The green Under Armour shirt he wears in multiple episodes has developed a bit of a cult following, with some fans even creating parody social media accounts for the garment.
And, unsurprisingly, there’s a fair amount of interest in Jack Begley’s love life. Plenty of fans have asked ‘is Jack Begley single?’ and are keen for clues about his relationship status!
Personal interests
Beyond digging and drones, Jack Begley lives up to his adventurous reputation. He’s an open-water certified scuba diver and has his Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) accreditation, allowing him to spend even more time at depth.
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