Chad Franke - A Life Beyond The Camera
For many who followed the online lives of a family that shared so much, the name Chad Franke probably brings back a lot of memories. He was, quite frankly, a central figure in a very public story, one that unfolded over years on a popular video platform. His early life was, in a way, lived out for many to see, as he was a key part of a family’s online presence that drew in a lot of watchers. This meant his childhood, in some respects, had a different kind of spotlight on it than most kids experience, which is that of a public figure, even at a young age.
From being a young participant in a well-known family video series to stepping into his own grown-up shoes, Chad’s path has certainly been one with many turns. After his mother’s very public difficulties, a lot of people have wondered about him. They’ve asked what he’s been up to, how he’s doing, and what his life looks like now. It’s a natural thing to be curious about someone you watched grow up, especially when their family’s story took such a surprising and, frankly, sad turn.
His story, you know, is about more than just what happened with his family’s online presence. It’s about a young person finding his own way, building a life that makes sense for him, and dealing with some pretty big personal situations. We’re going to take a closer look at what his life has been like, from his days in front of the camera to his current pursuits, and how he’s handled some truly difficult family matters. It's a journey of personal growth, really, and finding one's footing.
Table of Contents
- Chad Franke - A Personal Glimpse
- What Was Chad Franke's Early Life Like?
- How Did the Family's Story Change for Chad Franke?
- What Is Chad Franke Doing Now?
- Has Chad Franke Spoken About His Mother?
Chad Franke - A Personal Glimpse
To begin, let’s gather some basic information about Chad. This offers a bit of a foundation for understanding his story. He is, as we know, one of several children in his family. His birth city was Seattle, Washington, and later on, his family made the move to Utah. These early details, you know, paint a picture of his roots, showing where his life started before it became so public. It’s pretty common for people to move around, but for him, it was part of a very public childhood.
Here’s a quick look at some personal details about Chad Franke:
| Full Name | Chad Franke |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington |
| Current Residence | Utah (after moving from Seattle) |
| Age (as of recent information) | 20 years old (or 19 as of 2024) |
| Family Role | Second oldest of six children |
| Parents | Kevin and Ruby Franke |
| Known For | Participation in the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel |
| Current Pursuits | Real estate, engineering, social media presence, child protection advocacy |
| Business Affiliation | Owner of @reezn.llc |
What Was Chad Franke's Early Life Like?
Chad Franke’s early years, in a way, were quite unusual compared to most kids growing up. He was, you see, part of a family that put their daily experiences out for the public to watch. This meant that many of his formative moments, the kind of things families usually keep to themselves, were shared with a very large audience. It’s a different sort of childhood, one where your private life becomes, in some respects, a public spectacle. This kind of upbringing can certainly shape a person in unique ways, giving them a very distinct outlook on privacy and public attention.
Being one of six children, and the second oldest at that, probably meant he had a particular role within the family dynamic. Older siblings often take on certain responsibilities or become examples for the younger ones, and that’s a pretty common pattern. For Chad, this was all happening while cameras were, apparently, often rolling, capturing these everyday interactions for a wide group of people to consume. It’s almost as if his entire childhood was a kind of ongoing show, which must have been a very strange thing to experience as a young person trying to figure things out.
Chad Franke and the 8 Passengers Channel
The "8 Passengers" YouTube channel was, basically, the center of the Franke family’s online presence. It was a place where Kevin and Ruby, Chad’s parents, showed off their family’s daily goings-on. Chad was, quite naturally, a big part of this whole setup, being one of the six children featured. The channel aimed to document the lives of the family, sharing bits and pieces of their routine with anyone who tuned in. It was, in essence, a digital scrapbook, but one that was accessible to millions, rather than just close family and friends.
As time went on, watchers of the channel started to notice things that caused them some concern, particularly regarding how Chad Franke was being treated. This began, it seems, around 2019. These worries were, you know, shared among the audience, and they marked a shift in how some people viewed the content. It’s interesting how a platform meant for sharing happy family moments can, at times, become a place where worries about a person’s well-being start to surface. The channel was, for a long time, quite popular, but these concerns did begin to cast a shadow over its public image.
How Did the Family's Story Change for Chad Franke?
The family’s public narrative took a very sharp turn when Chad’s mother, Ruby Franke, faced serious legal trouble. She was, as many know, arrested in 2023 for child abuse. This event, obviously, sent shockwaves through anyone who had followed the family’s online presence. It was a moment that, you know, completely changed the public perception of the family and, more importantly, had a profound impact on the lives of the children involved. This kind of event, basically, upends everything someone has known.
Just a few days before his mother was given her sentence, which was a significant period of time in prison, Chad Franke put out a video. This act, in a way, showed his willingness to speak out or at least acknowledge the very difficult situation his family was going through. It’s a very telling move, really, to share something publicly at such a sensitive moment. The sentence, four to sixty years, was a heavy one, and for Chad, it marked a definitive end to one chapter of his life and the beginning of another, quite different one.
The Hulu Docuseries and Chad Franke's Story
The events surrounding Ruby Franke’s downfall have been explored in a new docuseries on Hulu, called "Devil in the Family." This program, apparently, brought even more attention to the story and to Chad Franke himself. His father, Kevin Franke, along with Chad, spoke out in this series, sharing their experiences and feelings about the incredibly challenging journey they’ve been on. It’s pretty brave, really, to open up about such personal and painful events for a wide audience to witness.
In the series, Kevin Franke, Chad’s father, described a particular moment as "the spark that blew the powder keg." This phrase, you know, suggests that there was a specific point when things truly began to unravel, leading to the public revelations. The docuseries serves as a way for the public to get a deeper look at the situation, offering perspectives from those directly affected, like Chad Franke and his father. It’s a way of trying to make sense of something that was, for many, quite shocking and hard to grasp.
What Is Chad Franke Doing Now?
Since the difficult events involving his family, Chad Franke, now over the age of eighteen, has truly started a new phase of his life. He’s stepping away from the family issues and building his own path. It’s a pretty significant step for anyone to forge their own way, but especially so when your past has been so public and, frankly, so complicated. He’s actively pursuing things that matter to him, which is, in some respects, a sign of personal strength and a desire for independence.
One of the things Chad has been doing is pursuing a career in real estate. He became a realtor in 2025, which is a pretty clear move into a professional field. Beyond that, he’s also studying engineering, which shows a leaning towards a different kind of skill set and a desire for a diverse professional background. It’s interesting, really, to see someone who grew up in the public eye on a video platform now focusing on more traditional, hands-on fields. This suggests a desire for stability and perhaps a different kind of public engagement.
Chad Franke's Current Endeavors
Chad Franke is also keeping up with social media, but in a different way now. He shares bits of his life with his girlfriend, which is a pretty normal thing for young people to do these days. It shows that he’s building a personal life and, you know, moving forward with relationships that are important to him. This kind of sharing is, perhaps, a way for him to connect with others on his own terms, rather than as part of a larger family unit that was once so public.
Beyond his personal updates, Chad is also using his voice to advocate for child protection. This is a pretty meaningful cause, given his own experiences. It suggests that he’s turning a difficult past into something positive, trying to help others and prevent similar situations from happening. This advocacy work is, basically, a powerful way for him to contribute to something bigger than himself, showing a desire to make a real difference in the world. It’s a very commendable thing to do, to take what you’ve learned and use it to help others.
Has Chad Franke Spoken About His Mother?
Chad Franke has, indeed, spoken about his mother and the very challenging situation involving her. At 20 years old, he shared details about his last conversation with her after she was found guilty of child abuse. This must have been a very difficult talk for him to have, as it involved such serious matters. He mentioned that she was apologetic during their conversation, which, you know, offers a glimpse into that moment. It’s a very human response, perhaps, for someone in her position to express regret, even if it comes after such severe actions.
However, despite her apologies, Chad has made it clear that he does not want to have a relationship with his mother. This is a very personal and, frankly, understandable decision given the circumstances. He also shared that he was forced to move out of his home, which adds another layer of difficulty to his experience. These details paint a picture of a young man who has had to make some incredibly tough choices and adjustments in his life, all while dealing with very public family issues. It’s a testament to his strength, really, that he’s navigating these waters.
Chad Franke's Reflections on a Difficult Past
Chad Franke also took a moment to mark the one-year anniversary of his mother’s arrest, which happened on August 30, 2023. He did this by posting on Snapchat, reflecting on that particular day. It’s pretty common for people to acknowledge significant dates, especially ones tied to big life changes, and for Chad, this arrest was clearly a pivotal moment. It shows that he’s processing what happened and, you know, finding ways to acknowledge the past while moving forward with his own life.
In exclusive interviews, both Kevin Franke and his son Chad have opened up about the very challenging time they’ve faced since the shocking information about Ruby Franke came to light. They’ve discussed their journey and how they’ve dealt with the fallout. This willingness to share their experiences, in a way, helps others understand the depth of the situation and the personal impact it had. It’s a very candid look at what happens when a family’s private struggles become, basically, a public story, and how those involved try to rebuild their lives.
Chad Franke (@chadwfranke) • Instagram photos and videos
Chad Franke (@chadwfranke) • Instagram photos and videos
Chad Franke (@chadwfranke) • Instagram photos and videos
