Rick Ness is an American reality TV star, musician, and gold miner with a net worth of $3 million. He is known for starring on the Discovery Channel’s reality TV series Gold Rush. Ness has transitioned from a blue-collar worker to a television personality and entrepreneur. His journey, from playing bass in a band to leading his mining crew, has captivated audiences worldwide.
Rick Ness’ Career from Musician to Gold Miner
Rick Ness ventured into his music career from the 2000s to the 2010s. From 2007, he played bass for the reggae-rock band Ballyhoo! till 2012. He was able to go on tours with his team, and he met Schnabel in Alaska, and the two became an excavator and rock truck operator. After releasing three albums, he left the music industry due to burnout and financial instability.
Ness transitioned to mining and worked odd jobs before he met Parker Schnabel, Gold Rush star, in Alaska. In 2012, during season 3, he joined Schnabel’s crew as a heavy equipment operator. He was promoted to crew leader in Season 9 in 2018. However, he was faced with several challenges, including financial losses due to equipment repairs in Season 10 and health struggles in Season 12. He made a comeback in the 2020 season by mining over 1,100 ounces of gold, and he expanded his operations to Colorado in the 2023 season.
Ness’ TV fame has provided financial stability with primary income from Gold Rush salary, where he earned $25,000–$50,000 per episode, since Season 9. He has been in partnership deals with mining equipment brands, and claims to have mined over $1 million in gold in a single season. He runs his mining operations at Rick Ness Gold Mining LLC and sells autographed gear and merchandise to his fans.
Details of Rick Ness’ Family Background
Rick Ness was born on November 8, 1981, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father was a mechanic, and his mother ran a small business. While in high school, he played football, but had to stop after he got an injury. However, he dropped out, but he was able to earn his GED. His mother, Laura Ness, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2020, and Rick temporarily left mining to care for her. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2022, which affected his mental health, and he fell into depression and substance use.
Ness dated the model and photographer Leese Marie in 2019, but they broke up after one year. He is currently single and has been focused on mining and personal growth. He has been an advocate for mental health awareness in male-dominated industries and has created safe spaces for men to speak up. Outside of his career, he enjoys riding bikes and is a tattoo enthusiast.
Ness’ wealth and net worth of $3 million have been accumulated from his multifaceted career in mining, television, and music. He represents the blue-collar American dream of rising from manual labor to TV stardom while staying authentic.
