Pierce, Tanya and Rick Curren
Photo by Milton Morris
Pierce, Tanya and Rick Curren
RESIDENTS OF: Easley
CLAIM TO FAME: Reality TV stars and producers of Scaly Adventures, now filming their fourth season to air on the Daystar Television Network
BEFORE THEY WERE TV STARS: Pierce was a home-school student, dad Rick was in medical equipment sales and mom Tanya was a teacher before becoming a motivational speaker and author
CO-OP AFFILIATION: Members of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative
Pierce Curren isn’t short on confidence. Or talent. Or enthusiasm. And why should he be?
The 15-year-old Upstate resident and his parents share a common passion for life, learning and, thanks to some good fortune, a successful, self-produced television show called Scaly Adventures that is broadcast on 11 channels across the country and internationally.
The show is filmed and edited by parents Tanya and Rick (they also appear on camera) and centers on Pierce’s fascination with snakes, reptiles and all manner of animals. As a family, the Currens visit exotic places, interview animal experts and teach important life lessons to their young viewers. “Every episode has the underlying message of teaching children to overcome their fears and follow their dreams,” Tanya Curren says.
Pierce began keeping snakes and reptiles at age 8. On camera and at in-person events, he handles animals with the skill and poise of a professional herpetologist—which happens to be his dream job—and enjoys sharing his knowledge with other kids.
“I like snakes, because it’s just something you don’t see people walking around with, and it triggers such an intense emotion in people,” he says. “It’s a great place to start to share a message to live life on the positive side. Take the better things out of life. Get outside and enjoy the world, and do what you’re created to do.”
Dad Rick says Pierce’s outgoing nature, positive life messages and love for the outdoors have made the experience of learning how to write, produce, film and edit a television show worth every minute.
“We’ve taken this journey together as a family, and those memories will never go away,” he says. “It’s been an incredible adventure, and we’re going to keep doing it and having fun as we go.”
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Get More
To learn more about the show and watch clips from the first three seasons, visit scalyadventures.com and facebook.com/scalyadventures.