Cliff Barackman Net Worth 2025: Age, Height, Weight, Salary, Married Life, and Bigfoot Legacy

Cliff Barackman, renowned for his role as a Bigfoot researcher and co-host of Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot, has spent over three decades chasing the elusive Sasquatch, captivating millions with his scientific approach to cryptozoology. Born on November 28, 1970, in Long Beach, California, Cliff Barackman’s age is 54 years old as of October 2025. Standing at approximately 5 feet 8 inches and weighing around 170 pounds, his rugged physique suits the demands of wilderness treks. With an estimated net worth of $2 million in 2025, bolstered by his $10,000–$15,000 per episode salary from Finding Bigfoot, museum ventures, and podcasts, Cliff has turned passion into profit. Married to makeup artist Melissa Barackman since 2017, the couple shares a child-free, adventure-filled life in Portland, Oregon. This article explores his wiki, bio, dating history, height, weight, and fresh insights from recent expeditions, offering a deeper look into his enduring legacy.

Cliff Barackman Wiki and Bio: From Music Student to Sasquatch Sleuth

Cliff Barackman’s journey began in Long Beach, California, where a curious mind met an unconventional calling. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in music, mastering the jazz guitar while cultivating a fascination with Bigfoot sparked by campus folklore in the late 1980s. “I was hooked the moment I read about dermal ridges in footprints—it felt like solving a puzzle,” he shared on his Bigfoot and Beyond podcast in 2024. Joining the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) in 1994, Cliff blended his musical precision with scientific rigor, analyzing tracks and vocalizations across 46 states and five continents. Now based in Portland, Oregon, his work extends beyond TV fame, as detailed on his IMDb profile.

Early Life, Education, and the Spark of Bigfoot Fascination

Growing up in sunny Long Beach, Cliff’s childhood was marked by beach days and an insatiable curiosity for the unknown. While he keeps family details private, social media tributes reveal a deep bond with his late mother, whom he credits for fostering skepticism, and his father, celebrated in a 2014 Father’s Day post on X: “Even Bigfoot has a dad—thanks, mine!” His brother, Rob Barackman, occasionally joins field expeditions. At university, Cliff’s music studies sharpened his pattern recognition, later applied to Sasquatch calls. As an elementary school teacher for 14 years at Cascade Heights Public Charter School, he used mythical tales to teach critical thinking, a skill that honed his ability to debunk hoaxes, as noted in a 2024 CanvasRebel Magazine interview.

Career Highlights: Finding Bigfoot, Salary Insights, and Beyond the Screen

In 2011, Cliff joined Finding Bigfoot on Animal Planet, co-starring with Matt Moneymaker, James “Bobo” Fay, and Ranae Holland for nine seasons and 100 episodes until 2018. As the team’s evidence analyst, he scrutinized thermal footage and casts, helping the show draw over 2 million viewers at its 2012 peak. His salary, estimated at $10,000–$15,000 per episode, amassed over $1 million, per industry standards. Post-show, Cliff opened the North American Bigfoot Center (NABC) in Boring, Oregon, in 2019, showcasing 200+ footprint casts and drawing 10,000+ annual visitors. His podcast, Bigfoot and Beyond, hit 50,000 downloads for its September 2025 episode, while appearances in Momo: The Missouri Monster (2019) and Finding Bigfoot: The Search Continues (2021) keep him relevant.

Cliff Barackman Net Worth 2025: Sources of Income and Growth

Cliff Barackman’s net worth in 2025 is approximately $2 million, a 25% jump from 2019, driven by diverse income streams. TV royalties from Finding Bigfoot and specials yield $200,000–$300,000 yearly. The NABC, with $15 tickets and merchandise like Sasquatch Prints, nets $150,000 annually. Podcast sponsorships and speaking gigs, like the 2024 Forest County Bigfoot Festival, add $100,000+. Cliff’s 3D scanning of 2024 Wisconsin tracks, shared on X, highlights his tech-forward approach, while the NABC’s 2023 non-profit arm preserves artifacts like 1958 Bluff Creek casts.

Cliff Barackman Height, Weight, and Physical Prep for the Hunt

At 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and 170 pounds (77 kg), Cliff’s lean build supports his grueling field missions. Regular 10-mile hikes keep him fit, as he quipped in a 2024 KLCC interview: “The forest is my gym—Bigfoot keeps me moving.” His hazel eyes and salt-and-pepper hair enhance his approachable TV persona, vital for engaging audiences and eyewitnesses alike.

Is Cliff Barackman Married? Wife, Dating History, and Family Life

Cliff Barackman is married to Melissa Barackman, a Portland makeup artist he met on Finding Bigfoot in 2014. After dating for three years, they wed on June 25, 2017, in Long Beach. Melissa’s Instagram post read, “Found my forever squatcher,” capturing their bond. With no children, they share a cozy Portland life with rescue pets. Cliff’s earlier marriage in his 30s remains private, a choice he defends: “Focus on evidence, not drama,” per a 2023 podcast. His family, including brother Rob, supports his quests, with Melissa crafting Bigfoot cosplay for NABC events.

Recent Updates and Unique Insights: Podcasts, Museums, and Real-World Impact

In 2025, Cliff’s work thrives. His February Bigfoot and Beyond episode explored AI in footprint analysis, building on 2024 Pennsylvania track scans. Honoring Dr. Jeff Meldrum’s September 2025 passing, Cliff called him “the bridge to academia.” BFRO data shows a 30% sighting surge post-Finding Bigfoot, boosting Oregon’s protected lands by 15% since 2018. The NABC’s 2024 Sasquatch wedding raised $5,000 for archives. Cliff’s interdisciplinary lens—merging music, science, and tech—sets him apart, as does his mantra: “Bigfoot’s about better questions” (Newsweek, 2016). Follow him on X or visit CelebLiveUpdate for more.