If you are a fan of the History Channel’s reality show Mountain Men, you might have wondered if two of its cast members, Jake Herak and Rich Lewis, are related. They both share a passion for hunting mountain lions in the rugged terrain of Montana, and they both have a similar appearance. But are they really family? Here’s what we know.
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Who are Jake Herak and Rich Lewis?
Jake Herak and Rich Lewis are both self-sufficient survivalists who have appeared on Mountain Men, a show that follows people who live off the grid in remote locations across the US. The show has been running since 2012 and has 11 seasons so far.
Jake Herak joined the cast in season 7, replacing Rich Lewis, who left the show after season 6. Jake is a registered hunting guide who lives at the foot of Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains. He uses a pack of Treeing Walker Coonhounds to track and chase away mountain lions that threaten his livelihood and his neighbors. He is also an “outdoor addict” who enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, and snowboarding.
Rich Lewis was a fan favorite on Mountain Men from season 2 to season 6. He was also a mountain lion hunter who lived in Montana’s Ruby Valley with his wife Diane. He used his skills and experience to protect his community from the predators that roamed the area. He also had a pack of dogs that helped him with his job. He decided to leave the show because he felt he was getting too old for the dangerous work.
The short answer is no, Jake Herak and Rich Lewis are not related. They are not brothers, cousins, or any other kind of kin. They are just two men who happen to share a similar occupation and lifestyle.
According to Famous People Today¹, some fans might have assumed they were related because they both appeared on the same show and had some resemblance. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Jake Herak’s family consists of his father John Herak, who battled cancer and survived, his mother Alisa Smith, who lives in Twin Bridges, Montana, and his siblings Michael Smith, Bo Herak, and Sierra Smith². Jake has not revealed if he has a wife or a girlfriend.
Rich Lewis’s family consists of his wife Diane Lewis, whom he married in 1987. They have no children together. Rich has not disclosed any information about his parents or siblings.
What are they doing now?
Jake Herak is still a part of Mountain Men, having appeared in the latest season 11 that premiered on June 3, 2021. He continues to face new challenges and adventures in the wilderness with his dogs. He also posts updates about his life on his Instagram account [@jherak3232](https://www.instagram.com/jherak3232/), where he has over 13K followers.
Rich Lewis has not been on Mountain Men since season 6, which aired in 2017. He has not made any public appearances or statements since then. He does not have any social media accounts either. It is not clear what he is doing now or where he is living. Some fans speculate that he might have retired from hunting and moved to a more comfortable place⁴.
Conclusion
Jake Herak and Rich Lewis are two of the most popular stars of Mountain Men, but they are not related in any way. They are just two independent men who love living in the wild and hunting mountain lions. They have different backgrounds, families, and personalities. They have never met or worked together on the show. They are simply colleagues who share a common passion.
