Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Dead at 79, Family Confirms

Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Dead At 79, Family Confirms

Phil Robertson, the camo-wearing, duck-call-inventing, Jesus-preaching patriarch of Duck Dynasty, has died at 79.

The bearded founding father of the Robertson clan passed away on May 25, and yes, America just lost one of its loudest and proudest reality TV icons.

His family announced the news via social media, calling him “a man who lived boldly for God.” The message came with plenty of love, tears, and yes, even duck calls in the comments.

Let’s rewind. Before Duck Dynasty made him a household name, Phil was a quarterback at Louisiana Tech — ahead of actual NFL legend Terry Bradshaw. No, really. He passed up the NFL to hunt ducks. The man stuck to his guns (literally).

Then came Duck Commander — a hunting gear empire built in a Louisiana shed that turned into a multi-million-dollar biz. The dude wasn’t just playing woodsman; he was the woodsman.

A&E’s Duck Dynasty exploded in 2012, drawing a wild 11.8 million viewers at its peak, according to CBS News. Phil wasn’t just a reality star — he was a walking headline.

The beard, the Bible, the blunt opinions. You either loved him or cringed a little. In 2013, he was briefly suspended from the show after a GQ interview stirred controversy. Spoiler alert: the show kept rolling and so did Phil.

Behind the scenes, things turned heavy. In late 2024, the family revealed he had Alzheimer’s. Then came a blood disease diagnosis, according to E! Online. His son Jase said it was a tough road.

Phil died surrounded by family, according to their statement. No drama, just peace. He’s survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Kay, their five kids — including fan-favorite Willie — and a truckload of grandkids.

He was a TV star, a business mogul, a cultural lightning rod, and a guy who just really loved ducks.

Oh, and before you ask — Duck Dynasty: The Revival is still happening. A&E’s dropping it June 1, led by Willie and Korie. You know Phil would’ve said, “Keep it rollin’.”