Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick, a prominent figure from Discovery’s distillery-themed reality show “Moonshiners,” has died at the age of 82. Hedrick passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in Robbinsville, North Carolina, according to reports from TMZ, which was confirmed by his family.
His death was attributed to kidney cancer. Sources close to the outlet indicated that Hedrick had been undergoing dialysis for several months and had spent the last year residing in a nursing home, battling his illness.
Hedrick, who was born on Christmas Day, 1940, dedicated a significant portion of his life to the traditional art of moonshining. He garnered a considerable reputation as one of the most skilled moonshiners in the Southern Appalachian region, which earned him a role on the hit television program.
“Moonshiners” premiered in 2012, chronicling the lives of individuals involved in the production of illegal moonshine across the Appalachian mountains. Jim Tom Hedrick joined the cast in its second season and remained a consistent presence on the show for five years, continuing through Season 6.
His colorful personality and profound knowledge endeared him to millions of viewers. Even after his regular appearances ceased, Hedrick made additional contributions, with his most recent appearance on the series being in Season 10’s “Smoke to the Fire” in 2021.
Sugarlands Distilling Co., a Tennessee-based distillery, issued a heartfelt statement online following the news of his passing. The company acknowledged Hedrick’s profound impact on the craft and his connection with the public.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend Marvin ‘Jim Tom’ Hedrick,” the statement began, emphasizing his legendary status in Appalachia. It further noted, “Jim Tom’s well-earned reputation as one of the most skilled moonshiners in the South earned him a role on the hit television program ‘Moonshiners,’ where his colorful personality endeared him to millions.”
Ned Vickers, president and founder of Sugarlands Distilling Co., highlighted Hedrick’s instrumental role in the company’s early days. “Jim Tom Hedrick was one of the first veteran moonshiners to truly embrace Sugarlands when we opened our doors,” Vickers stated.
Vickers added, “Gaining the stamp of approval from Jim Tom was instrumental in shaping the authenticity of Sugarlands, and we are forever indebted to his support and friendship.” Beyond his television appearances, Hedrick also pursued a legal career in making whiskey at Sugarlands Distilling Co.
His co-star, Tim Smith, paid tribute on social media, tweeting, “Shine in peace forever, Jim Tom. 🙏🔥 #moonshinersforever #jimtom” alongside a screenshot of his Facebook tribute. Fans also mourned his loss, with tweets such as “I’ll be raising a glass of Sugarlands Signature Jim Tom moonshine in honor of the passing of an absolute legend in the moonshine distillation family” from @Kundun66 and “There will be a shot of rye moonshine whiskey consumed in your memory” from @bill_mynatt.
Hedrick was not only a skilled distiller but also a musician and singer. His song, “Golly That’s Good,” was featured on the “Moonshiners” soundtrack in 2014, and he contributed another song, “Romeo’s Got Nothin’ on Me,” to the show in 2015.
In the days leading up to his death, Jim Tom’s health had been a concern for his family and fellow cast members. Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes, two of his “Moonshiners” co-stars, posted an update on Facebook about his condition just a few days prior to his passing.
Their September 1 post included a note from Hedrick’s cousin Tina, who had requested prayers from supporters. Tina’s message conveyed, “He is comfortable and resting with no pain right now (which is what we’ve been praying for).”
She further acknowledged the tireless efforts of Jim Tom’s sister Judy Williams and her husband Noah, stating that they had been “with Jim Tom every single day, and they are tired, but wouldn’t have it any other way; they love him so much.” The family had also shared photos of him in a nursing home bed on social media in the months preceding his death, where he had reportedly spent much of the year.
A Discovery Channel spokesperson also released a statement regarding Hedrick’s passing. “Jim Tom Hedrick was a treasured member of the Moonshiners family, and we share our condolences with his family and all those who loved him,” the spokesperson told The Post on Wednesday.
Hedrick was known for his quirky personality, distinctive colloquial speech, and exceptional knack for storytelling, which were frequently showcased as he demonstrated his craft of making homemade alcohol in natural settings.
His legacy as a moonshiner who embraced the show and helped shape the authenticity of Sugarlands Distilling Co. will endure. Jim Tom was described by Sugarlands Distilling Co. as “especially eager to pass along his lifetime of moonshining knowledge to a new generation of distillers, ensuring the craft would endure.”
The passing of Jim Tom Hedrick marks another loss in the evolving landscape of reality television, a genre that has, over the past three decades, captivated audiences and brought numerous personalities into the public eye.
While Jim Tom Hedrick’s death is a recent and significant loss for fans of “Moonshiners,” he is not the only reality television personality to have passed away, sometimes unexpectedly or after long battles with illness.
Sharon Farrell, an actress known for her role as Florence “Flo” Webster on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” died at the age of 82 on May 15, 2023. Her son, Chance Boyer, confirmed her death to The Hollywood Reporter, stating that it was “unexpected” and due to “natural causes.”
Farrell’s sister, Dale Candace Forsmoe, had initially shared news of her passing on Facebook on August 2, mentioning that she believed her sister had died and was in a “care facility.” Farrell began her career with the American Ballet Theater and made her on-screen debut in the 1959 film “Kiss Her Goodbye,” with her last project, “Broken at Love,” premiering in 2014.
Another “Moonshiners” cast member, Kenny Law, passed away on January 14, 2025, at the age of 68. According to his distillery’s Facebook page, Law died “peacefully” and was “surrounded by loved ones,” though an official cause of death was not reported.
Lance Waldroup, also a part of the “Moonshiners” cast, died tragically in March 2021 at the young age of 30. His mother discovered him unconscious in his bed, and emergency responders pronounced him dead shortly after.
An autopsy conducted months later revealed his cause of death as congenital heart failure. At the time of his passing, Waldroup was morbidly obese, weighing 580 pounds, and had struggled with opioid addiction and exhibited symptoms of depression. Discovery described him as an “adventurous distiller who was always looking to take his flavorful recipes of moonshine to new heights.”
Even before “Moonshiners” premiered, the moonshining community lost Popcorn Sutton, a master moonshiner who committed suicide in his early 60s by carbon monoxide poisoning to avoid a federal prison sentence. Footage of Sutton from the 2002 documentary “Mountain Men” was later used in Season 1 of “Moonshiners.”
Beth Chapman, co-star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” and “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt,” died at 51 after a battle with throat cancer. The cancer had gone into remission but later returned and spread to her lungs. She continued working on her final project, “Dog’s Most Wanted,” up until her last days.
Christopher Boykin, known as “Big Black” and co-creator of MTV’s “Rob & Big,” died in 2017 at the age of 45 from a heart attack. He became a significant figure on various MTV shows throughout the 2010s, including “Guy Code,” “Snack Off,” and “Ridiculousness.”
Nikki McKibbin, who finished third in the first season of “American Idol,” passed away in 2020 following a brain aneurysm. She had openly struggled with substance addiction and had appeared on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” stating in 2019 that she was “winning” her battle against substance abuse.
Anna Shay, a popular cast member from Netflix’s “Bling Empire,” died from a stroke in June 2023. She inherited her wealth from her family’s defense contractor business and was known for her fascinating life stories, some of which she shared on the show.
Billy Brown, the patriarch of the family featured in Discovery Channel’s “Alaskan Bush People,” died in early 2021 after suffering a seizure. His passing resulted in the show continuing for only one more season before its eventual cancellation.
Jason Hitch, a participant in TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé,” died in 2021 from complications related to COVID-19. He had married Cassia Tavares after their courtship in Season 2, though their marriage was troubled, which led him to file for divorce in 2018. Tavares expressed shock and sadness at his passing on social media.
Angela “Big Ang” Raiola, a beloved figure from VH1’s “Mob Wives,” passed away from cancer at the age of 55 in 2016, just one month before the airing of the show’s finale. She joined the series in Season 2 and was the niece of a person connected to the Mafia.
Paul MacNeill, who appeared on Season 10 of “My 600-lb Life,” died in a car accident in 2023 while driving to work. He had been on the path to better health, having lost 200 pounds from his peak weight of 757 pounds. MacNeill was survived by his fiancé, Jenn, with whom he had planned to get married within two months.
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Ross Jones, a crew member who appeared in two episodes of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” died in 2022. The details surrounding his death were not publicly disclosed by his family; however, his passing was confirmed by the Deadliest Catch World page on Facebook.
Autumn Crittendon, from MTV’s “16 and Pregnant,” was found dead in her Virginia home in July 2024. The cause of her death was later revealed to be an accidental opioid overdose.
Sonja Christopher, a contestant from the inaugural season of “Survivor,” known as “Survivor: Borneo,” died in April 2024 at the age of 87. She had the distinction of being the first contestant ever voted off the show during its pilot episode. Despite this, Christopher proudly claimed to be the show’s biggest fan, having watched every episode up to Season 17.
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Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who gained prominence with his 2004 documentary “Super Size Me” and subsequently launched the FX reality series “30 Days,” died in May 2024 at the age of 53 from cancer. Spurlock had largely withdrawn from public life in 2017 after admitting to a history of misconduct.
The deaths of these reality television personalities underscore the human stories behind the cameras. From long – standing battles with illness to unforeseen accidents, each passing leaves an imprint on the fans who followed their journeys. The lives portrayed on screen, regardless of how scripted or authentic they are, become a part of the viewers’ experience, resulting in a collective sense of loss when these figures depart. Their legacies, whether as skilled craftspeople, outspoken personalities, or individuals striving for change, continue to resonate, reminding audiences of the profound connection forged through the shared experience of reality television.
