He is the son of Duane Chapman Sr. and his first wife, La Fonda Sue Darnall. He was born in Groom and spent much of his childhood in Pampa, Texas. He moved to Colorado in his early teen years. He tended running away from home and skipping school. He often joined a criminal gang. He had to be put into foster care and then later in boys care home. He ran away from there too.
Finally, he resided with his father. He learnt boxing and martial arts and graduated from high school at 18 years of age.
