Les Stroud – Survivorman Biography
General
Les Stroud, the popular adventurer who pits himself against nature on Survivorman, was born on October 20,1962, in Mimico, Ontario. After receiving a diploma from Mimico High in 1980, Stroud attended Fanshawe College and completed their Music Industry Arts program.
This led Les Stroud to work in the music industry for a few years. Stroud was employed by MuchMusic as an associate producer. He also served as assistant director of music videos for many well-known artists. Stroud then spent some time playing lead guitar in a band called New Regime.
A single canoe trip created a desire for more. Stroud took a job with Black Feather Wilderness Adventures. This gave him the opportunity to help others enjoy the beauty of northern Ontario as he guided their canoe course.
While working as a guide, Les Stroud became intrigued with a photographer named Sue Jamison. They proved to be a great team and wed in 1994. The wedding had an appropriate setting. The couple said their vows on a dogsled next to a small pond. Stroud and his new bride took great care to document their honeymoon, a year long adventure in the wilds of Wabakimi, Ontario.
Taking only a supply of basic food sources, the Strouds managed to live in the area around Goldsborough Lake for twelve months. During that period, they only left the area two times to take care of emergency situations. Without modern tools, they managed to build a cabin and to feed themselves by hunting and trapping.
They used the materials from their honeymoon adventure to produce a documentary, Snowshoes and Solitude. The documentary was highly praised. The Strouds’ work even received a Best Documentary Award at the Muskoka Film Festival. The Waterwalker Film Festival also gave it the honor of Best Film.
The Strouds then settled in Yellowknife, part of the Northwest Territories. Les Stroud signed on to work with individuals with special needs who were native to the area. He worked with Gino Ferri and David Arama, a couple of survivalist experts. He later added to this experience by training with Prairie Wolf.
After honing his survival skills to perfection, Les and Sue moved to Huntsville, Ontario. This is where the Strouds’ dream began. They started a company called Wilderness Voice and a began a sister media company which they dubbed Wilderness Spirit Productions.
Les Stroud developed a keen interest in the new Survivor television series. He felt that more realism would add to the program and presented his vision to The Discovery Channel Canada. The executives were interested enough in Stroud’s idea to allow him to produce two specials. The first show was called One Week in the Wilderness. Winter in the Wilderness followed quickly, and both programs were highly successful.
This led to the Les Stroud’s next project. The science news show @ discovery.ca asked Stroud to produce a couple of specials in 2001. He completed the project using the same programming design as Survivorman. This involved Stroud taping his own trials and tribulations as he pitted himself against the perils of nature.
When these two pilots aired, the public had found a new hero and were fascinated with Les Stroud. In 2004, Stroud was asked to work with Dave Brady, a producer from the Discovery Channel in the United States. Working together, they created nine episodes of Survivorman. The show was so successful that a second season was produced and began airing on the U.S. Discovery Channel on August 10, 2007.
Although busy with film work, Les Stroud has never lost his love for music and continues to work in the industry. He has even managed to turn out a CD which features him playing the harmonica. The self-titled album is a selection of acoustical blues and folk songs, reflecting the true free spirit of its creator. In New Liskeard, Ontario, at the Spirit of the North Music Festival, Stroud received both the “Best Blues Act” award and the “Best Overall” label. He has also joined with The Northern Pikes to create a cd .
Les and Sue Stroud currently have two children. Their daughter Raylan is eleven, and their son Logan is nine. The entire family has been involved in Stroud’s unusual lifestyle.
Les Stroud sees his television program as an opportunity to teach while entertaining. He encourages his viewers to show respect for the environment and to maintain control in dangerous situations. Conservation, to Les Stroud, is everyone’s responsibility. Survivorman is his venue for getting these points across to the public.
69 Comments » Posted on December 23rd, 2008
December 27th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I LOVE YOUR SHOW & LES STROUD. MY FAVORITE WAS “BAFFIN ISLAND”. WELL DONE. CAMERA DUTY IS A REAL BITCH. I DO NOT KNOW HOW YOU DO IT.
THANKS,
January 18th, 2009 at 2:35 am
hey man “I LOVE YOUR SHOW” nd i live in michigan i would LOVE to go on a andventure and day with you….i would pay.
p.s ur harmonica is sweet
dennis
January 21st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
hey I Love your show me and my friends wonts to be like u win we grow up
we made a promise that we would go every place you,ve been but right nall why were 11 we go to my backyard and act like you
January 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
but first were starting at georgia swamp the smae place u went
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I’m already missing… Love the location picks. Really enjoyed the South American trip, especially when he was fishing with his hands on the river banks, exciting! What a beautiful man…
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
I LOVE YOUR SHOW its the best show ever we have to do a biography on some famous at school and im doing it on YOU!!
February 11th, 2009 at 9:56 am
ur so cool ur way better than man vs wild
February 15th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
i love your show i have all of the seasons on dvd i watch them all the time
February 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
From Frankfort Michigan- Wife & I honeymooned on Isle Royale-8 nights out of a backpack…very spiritual experience, that’s why we love watching your show with our ten year old son. We find the values and perspective of your show instills a respectful vision we hope to instill in our young ones. THANKS !!!!
February 21st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Les,I’m a beginning Backpacker.What is your choice of a good Backpack And sleeping bag for weekend trips in the Nothern California Sierras during late spring to early fall.I’m 51 years old 185lbs.,I was looking at the Gregory Baltoro 70.I still haven’t decided on the right sleepig bag.Any suggestions would be greatly appreiciated.Rondo
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I love the show. Must respect to Les for doing this! He’s awesome! He will be missed!
February 26th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
My husband and I love your show. If we’re ever to be stranded I’m sure your tips will come in handy! :D THANK YOU!
March 13th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Hey Les, excellent show, I never miss it and even watch repeats. It’s about time someone put on a “real” show and not something staged or faked. I’ve seen you succeed and I’ve seen you fail, just like real life. I know this series must be extremely hard on you both mentally and physically and I applaud your courage. I wish there were hundreds of episodes to watch but as you are a family man I can’t say that I blame you for stopping after season 3. You are the ultimate survivor !
March 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST SHOW ON TV! MY HUSBAND AND I WATCH
EVERYTIME YOU ARE ON! WE WILL MISS YOU! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY! WE HAVE LEARNED ALOT!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
You are amazing, ill give you 34 million dallors If you put back your tv show! K THANKS BAI!
March 31st, 2009 at 8:15 am
this is probably one of the best show on t.v because you go out to a place you’ve never been before and survive for 7 days that is probably hard to do
April 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I luvvvvvvvvvvvv your show!!!!!! My favorite is when u went to the Georgia Swamps and ate that rattlesnake! I luv watchin your shows over n over!!!
April 5th, 2009 at 11:59 am
u r wayyyyyy better than that phony guy in man vs wild. I saw a deleted scene from one of his episodes and he was right next to a highway with a film crew!!!! What a fake!!
April 14th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Less u are ammasing, I love your show and u have inspired me to go into the air forse after i graduate high school as a S.E.R.E thanks!!!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 am
i heard you died and im just glad to see you made it through another death defying act… thanks for the great show
April 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Oigame su programa de survivorman es el mejor de todos incluyendo al de Bear Grylls
May 4th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Ive been watching Surviorman for a couple of years . While it’s a very entertaining program to watch , It’s been instramental in my life. Due to unforseen misfortunes , Ive found myself unemployed and subsequently , with out a home . I decided to use the survival techniques I learned by watching Survivorman . Ive been living in a lean to shelter I built using Techniques that Les uses to build his shelters . The result is , Ive been warm when its cold and dry when its wet and left with a feeling of satisfaction knowing I created my own living quaters when I could not afford a home . Ive been able to provide sustainance the conventional way , but I wouldve been very uncomfortable , not to mention very suseptable to exposure related injuries and illness had I not learned to make a shelter . So , thank you Survivorman , for your entertaining and very informative program , because survival in the urban jungle can be just as dangerous without the proper knowledge on shelter building.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
best show ever, very good learning experience and big fan of les stroud, when is the season 4 comming out.
May 6th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
me and my friends think Survivorman is awesome and that you’d beat Bear Grylls at survival any day.
p.s. both of my parents went to Mimico High school at the same time you did
May 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I am saddened to hear that Les is quitting his series. I admired his show and have watched it from the beginning. My wife does not watch much TV, but she would always watch Survivorman with me. There was a rumor that Les had died and my wife almost had a stroke! She even cried. I wish Les the very best in all his endeavors and would hope that he would periodically make a ” SURVIVORMAN ” episode for all of his loyal fans, myself being near the top of the list. God bless you and your family, Les, and thank you for the wonderful hours that you shared with us………..
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 am
I hope you are not quitting. Your show is the best on TV. Your humor and knowledge are outstanding. TV will not be worth watching if you stop. I have one of your DVDs, will be buying all your videos. Loved the one about “what to do in a flooded city (NewOrleans)”, great stuff. The family time watching your show will be missed
June 17th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
your show is amazing… way better than man vs wild. bear grylls is just an entertaining idiot. continue to make a few shows here and there PLEASE
June 25th, 2009 at 11:11 am
You inspire me to be a survivorman in my own life.. 3 days no food you walk all night in the dark with a jaguar stalking you … lol .. it really helps my perspective. thank you
June 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I discovered your show on Netflix and now I am hooked. Haha, my favorite quote: “A scorpion is a wide as its hole” haha keep up the good work!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:19 am
Love Survivorman and Les Stroud. What I enjoy is how Les really shows how tough it is to get thru survival situations … he readily demonstrates how many of his “techniques” to catch food, or build shelter don’t initially work, or ever work! Good lessons to remember if ever faced in a real survival situation. I just read his bio and am continually impressed with his vision and perspectives re nature and enjoying life. Wish he’d continue another season of the show, but understand it’s tough to do. The three seasons he’s completed are true classics. Thanks again Les, and I look forward to seeing your next project whatever it may be!
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Les, what a great show. I find myself watching all of your episodes over and over again and they never ever get old. I am sorry to hear that you won’t be doing Survivorman anymore but I want to thank you for making a quality show when quality shows on television are truly rare today. I have learned so much from you about survival and just wanted you to know that Your show will be missed. Thank God for people like Les Stroud.
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I’m a big fan of your show and Man vs wild is not as good as you, and you are all alone but bear grylls has a tv crew not you.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Les,not sure if you read these posts or not but they sure are a testament to the positive and humble way you live your life. Things don’t always go your way but still you persevere. I was watching your Australian Outback adventure yesterday and it got me thinking about your life path and how all of your decisions led you to the place you are now. After reading your biography I see that one canoe trip happened to be the catalyst that began your future adventures. How lucky a person is that they can do something they love and be such a positive role model at the same time. Keep up the GREAT! work and be as safe as you always are. The best of luck to you and your family.
An admiring fan
July 26th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
You are my idol, you make me want to go out into the wild and survivalist camp, I have season 1 and 2on DVD, and I hope there will be many more seasons of Survivorman!
July 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I am really dissapointed in one of the episodes “Kalahari” in 2007.. On the show it mentions the temp was 140 degrees F or 60 degrees C This was not true… The world record is 136 degrees F in the early 1900’s
I know it’s tough but don’t lie to make yourself look “tougher”
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Les….. STOP SCREWING AROUND AND MAKE ANOTHER SEASON OF SURVIVORMAN!!
STOP MAKING ME WATCH RERUNS OF YOUR OLD SHOWS PLEASE !!!!
YOU ARE THE BEST…
In fact you inspired me to go to Alaska this summer and I went to Homer, AK and lived on the ‘Homer Spit’ out of a tent and used many of your survival techniques (Vaseline and Cotton balls saved my ass on many a cold Alaskan night). I would not have ever thought of doing something like that without your inspiration and the knowledge you passed on to us.
I am just a regular guy and I would very much like to see another episode. you can’t quit now… I just got addicted :)
Thank you for listening.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Hi Les,I was just wondering you ever seen that movie ALIVE with Ethan Hawke,wher the rugby airplane crashed in the andes mountians,do you think you could survive that???
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Les,
You are an amazing, interesting, talented, sincere, creative and disciplined person. Please, please rethink the decision on “Survivorman” since nothing on TV compares to what you do in the series. It is inspiring and riveting television. I loved the recent Hornpayne adventure with the NHLers too since it featured survival skills in a human/nature context embedded in altruism. Doesn’t get better than that! You are a Huntsville treasure who belongs to the world.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Les,
You are an amazing, interesting, talented, sincere, creative and disciplined person. Please, please rethink the decision on “Survivorman” since nothing on TV compares to what you do in the series. It is inspiring and riveting television. I loved the recent Hornpayne adventure with the NHLers too since it featured survival skills in a human/nature context embedded in altruism. Doesn’t get better than that! You are a Huntsville treasure who belongs to the world.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
So much from one talented person… makes all of us rethink how we are using our time in life. “I would be proud to be Les Stroud!”
August 24th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Hey Les keep up the good work I would love to have been ur friend when u guys went on that hunting trip Also liked seeing u eat boobie breast That was a cool one sorry about the harmonica
August 31st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Great show, whats these rumours of a divorce between Les and his Wife?
September 7th, 2009 at 3:05 am
The best show ever i really gain alot of information from you and you are a creative person. my best epasod was amazon. i wish you can make a show about hunting , fishing with your way. best of luck Les and keep the great work.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
make more videos because i watched all your episodes 30 times each and bear grylls SUCKS make more videos please please please make more videos make more videos bear grylls suks bear grylls sucks SURVIVORMAN RULES LES STROUD RULES
September 11th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
les you are one awesome man i would love for you to give it one more season you are great i watch you over and over learn alot from you THANKYOU send me some cool stuff
September 17th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Who doesn’t love the survivor program. I watch them over and over on my DVR sometimes. I am an avide outdoorsman. I have learned things that I may not ever use, but are there in case I need them.
If you do more of the shows please mention at the end of the shows what should have been take. I’m always saying to my wife, “but I never would have gone on that hike without so and so” or I never would have gotten in that small plane flying over this place or that without this minimal equipment in the plane”. We need to know what to take. Great show Les. Take care and GOD bless.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
i love your show. i have,nt seen a new one in a while. are you still doing it?
September 28th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hubby and I LOVE your show! I’ve learned so much so has hubby. Can’t wait to go rip a palm frond apart and try it! Sames goes for the plant in the desert that looks like a “Century Plant or an Aloe Vera. I hope I can tell them apart and if I can’t, I hope it doesn’t make me sick or kill me! I can’t believe you destroyed your harmonica! That was a sin to me! Just don’t pull a Jimmy Hendrix if you need firewood and you just happened to have a guitar around! Search harder! Remember…respect for the guitar, man! Survive on!
October 14th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hey Les,
Your show is GRRREEAAT!!!! In school we have to do a biography and guess what? I chose you!!! Anyways according to my grandma you are related to me through marriage… It’s complicated but you might recall the surname Barnes whitch is the family on my moms side… So my grandmothers’,brothers’ wife is your aunt, Marilyn Barnes(formerly Stroud) from Gravenhurst. Ya so I’m looking forward to meeting you some day… Anyway hope to hear from you…
October 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
AWESOME SHOW!!!! I was SO sad the day I checked your web site
for more episodes only to find out only three years were made.
I watch every show over and over.. Great work Les..Would love to meet
you if ever in WPG….All the best with your Family……
October 30th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Great show Les! I cant stop watching it and its great to learn from it as well. Your the real deal, what you see is what you get. I am from northern MN, but now live in Seattle. When I watch your show it makes me want to go back home and live in the BWCA forever. Take care.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Les,
I hope you read this stuff, my son (5 year old) and me absolutly love the show. I’ve been to Iraq with ARMY, now I’m going with a very big company to Saudi Arabia. I need some help on how to survive. I will be living there.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Les,
Please tell me your going to make another season! I am addicted! I’ve seen every episode like 50 times and I’m planning on adding the dvds to my collection. I love being in the outdoors but don’t get to spend much time out there due to school and work, although I did take a backpacking trip through the Smokey’s. I don’t know how you do it! That pack gets heavy going up a mountain! Can’t imagine having to walk it twice to set up camera’s! Anyway I love your show and hope to see another season in the future. Man vs Wild isn’t cutting it! Best of luck!
November 8th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I am 59 years old and I have been a fan for several years. I just saw the episode of the Alaskan Adventure that you hosted featuring a follow up of all the participants and how it effected them personally. It brought to mind a series that you did called “OFF THE GRID”. It was about a piece of land that you bought in Canada and began to make it livable for you and your family. After about 5 episodes it disapeared from TV and there was never a follow up to see if you made it. Do you still live there? The kids must be in there teens now so how are they adapting to this style of life and with you out filming new episodes how does the wife cope? It would have been nice if there were some follow up episodes to answer these and other questions that people have. I imagine there were many problems and hardships that came along with living in remote Canada. How about a show answering some of these questions?
Ron
November 10th, 2009 at 4:43 am
I am your fan from poland for imitating greet be my exemplar admire you Les! I would be glad very as if few important indicators lend me salute my address rock-boy@wp.pl
November 18th, 2009 at 12:49 am
survivor man i read theese coments and i read someguys comment saying that your quiting i really hope your not because my dad, mom and my brother and i always watch your show 9pm monday to friday.
my dad always wants to be like you when we go camping but i dont know how you do it. i just turned 14 on nov 16th i am
i am writing this while i watch your show. im watching the episode where you tell us about the place you go what your camera crew does.
i ove your sense of humor and on my school project “all about me” i had to choose a hero and i chose you. i really hope you didnt quit because i really love your show, your humor and it is fun and i actually get education from the tv for the first time. my favorite episode was when you took the dog sled and found the cabin but u had to go back home because of the weather. i really love your show and i hope you make more episode.
from charles
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I have been a fan of the survivorman series but your biggest man is my 6 year old son who asks me to record your show everyday on OLN. When I ask him what he wants to be when he grows up is “a survivorman”. When we go outside he pretends to be a survivorman in a jungle, swamp, desert etc. He mimics all of the things that you do by building a shelter, pretending to start a fire and the best is looking for food (his favorite is looking for wild edibles). He is becoming very environmentally conscious and looks up to you as his hero. His biggest dream come true would be to meet you. Do you ever go on speaking tours? If so do you have an schedule? We live in the London, Ontario region
December 12th, 2009 at 12:58 am
i have a question for les,duno if he will get it,did you ever do some fishing in central newfoundland?
December 14th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Les, I absolutely love your show. I am a big fan of you. Your show is sweet and I have every episode recorded. I really want to be like you when I grow up
December 15th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Hi I’m from england and we have a guy called bear and ray but your show is clearly the best, please please please make a few more seasons, i want to see you survive in russia, south pole etc. more more more… serously tho you have given me a better understanding on survival and would really like more shows from you.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Hi Les!I’m from INDIA and I love your show and would like to meet you.I’m your die hard fan and i hope u make such great shows in future as well.Please take care of your health.Bye,see you on tv.
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Les,
You and your shows are bigger and more valuable than you probably know. I have always been an avid wilderness camper/hiker/canoer, but have picked up so many great things from your show. Also, the way you teach respect for the environment and animals is great.
My family and I will miss you and your show.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
My husband and I really have enjoyed your show and we are sad that you will not be doing another season. You do have to take care of yourself first, and like steve perry from journey says[Be Good To Yourself] because nobody else will. Godbless and thanks for 3 fantastic seasons!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 10:15 am
can you come pick us up for a camp in tomogami now or next year please from watt. p.s.from chris kurt and abigail.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
hey les its to bad your not making more shows,you really show how to survive while bear grills shows how to kill yourself,i learned way more on your show, will miss it alot,thanks for the adventures,i will watch the repeats, peace
January 19th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
les i would like to say first off that your show is great .. i love your conservative take on surviving the wilderness.. i was watching the show bear grills .. u have probally heard of it. and i thought .. wow this guy is crazy.. but turns out he did have some ok and useful facts.. but i think if u guys both went on a adventure somewher together…that it would b some dam good television.. amazon maybe.. or like bogota columbia…/ please read this commit and make me proud les .. im sure u will
January 26th, 2010 at 11:08 am
it would be so cool if u could do a survivorman show in ohio
February 10th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
lol u assholes think les stroud is cool hes a fucking asshole
there was this one episode where “misteriously” found a new bike in he middle of the desert and said
“That a tourist probably left it here!!!!!”
if u want to survive watch man vrs wild with bear grills
PS. GET TOSE JEWS ON THE TRAIN TO THE CAMP GO NAZI NAZI NAZI
GET THE GAS CHAMBERS READY CUZ WE GOTS LOADS OF JEWS TO GET RID OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NAZIS RULE
HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER HITLER
February 10th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
oh YEAH AND HE AUTOMATICALLY BUILT A MICRO WAVE OUT OF A PIECE OF ROPE
WHAT A FUCK HEAD.