You remember the yelling. The flying gravel. The sound of a chain snapping against a rusted bumper while a camera crew scrambled to stay out of the way. If you watched TV in the early 2010s, Lizard Lick Towing was probably your guilty pleasure. And at the center of that chaotic, North Carolina-fueled repo storm was Bobby Brantley.
He wasn't just a sidekick. Honestly, for a lot of fans, he was the show. While Ronnie Shirley provided the "Shirley-isms" and the muscle, Bobby brought a certain unpredictable energy that felt a little more... real. But then the show vanished. The trucks stopped rolling for the cameras in 2014, and the updates became few and far between.
So, where is he now?
The Reality of the "Lick"
Let's be real for a second: Lizard Lick Towing was a masterpiece of "structured reality." We all knew some of it was staged for the TruTV cameras, but the personalities were very much authentic. Bobby didn't start as a tow truck driver. He actually met Ronnie when his own truck was being repossessed. That's the most "North Carolina" way to start a friendship I've ever heard.
He jumped from being a disgruntled customer to the guy riding shotgun. But by the time the show reached its peak, the pressure of fame and the grueling schedule of "acting" out repos started to take a toll.
Why Bobby Brantley Actually Left
People love to speculate about big feuds. While there was definitely some friction—Ronnie and Bobby have had their public ups and downs—the exit was mostly about a man wanting his life back.
In a "tell-all" video Bobby released years ago, he was pretty blunt. He talked about how he needed to move on to be a better person. He didn't want to be the "TV guy" forever. He wanted to focus on his family and his own interests away from the Lizard Lick brand.
It's actually a common story with reality stars. You spend years playing a version of yourself on screen, and eventually, you lose track of who you are when the red light goes off. Bobby chose to step back before he lost that completely.
Life After the Cameras (2026 Update)
So, what is the guy doing in 2026? He hasn't completely disappeared into the woods, though he's definitely keeping a lower profile than the "repo king" days.
- Family First: Bobby has been pouring his energy into his family. He’s been active on Facebook, sharing snapshots of a life that looks a lot quieter than a repo lot. We’re talking family outings, public events in North Carolina, and just being a dad and husband.
- The Business Side: While he’s not hauling cars for TruTV anymore, he’s still got that entrepreneurial spirit. His net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 to $2 million depending on who you ask, mostly built from his TV earnings and various side ventures.
- The Private Life: He’s kept his Instagram private lately. It’s a move that says, "I'm done with the public circus." He doesn't seem to have that itch to jump back into the reality TV world, which, honestly, is probably healthy.
The Relationship with Ronnie Shirley
This is the question everyone asks: Are Ronnie and Bobby still friends? It's complicated. In 2022, Ronnie did an interview where he admitted they don't really speak anymore. It’s sad, but it’s also life. People grow apart, especially when their entire friendship was under the microscope of a production crew for years. They shared a crazy chapter of history together, but they’ve both moved on to different volumes of their lives.
Ronnie is still running Lizard Lick Towing & Recovery in Wendell, NC. The business is very much alive, even if the TV show is a memory. But Bobby? He’s found a different path.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Bobby "failed" after the show. Just because someone isn't on your TV screen doesn't mean they aren't successful. Bobby managed to take the "fifteen minutes of fame" and turn it into a stable, private life. He escaped the trap that catches so many reality stars—the desperate need to stay relevant at any cost.
Moving Forward: The Legacy of the Lick
If you're looking for Bobby Brantley today, don't look for him on a new reality show. Look for him in the quiet corners of North Carolina, likely enjoying a life that doesn't involve being chased by an angry car owner with a tire iron.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the Real Pages: If you want to keep up with him, stick to his official Facebook or verified social channels. Avoid the fan-made "where are they now" pages that often spread old news.
- Support Local: If you're ever in Wendell, North Carolina, the Lizard Lick office is a real place. You can still buy merch and support the original crew.
- Respect the Privacy: Bobby has made it clear he values his private time with family. Following him is fine, but understanding that he’s retired from the "character" of Bobby from Lizard Lick is key.
He's a reminder that even in the loud, messy world of reality television, you can eventually find some peace and quiet.