Phil Robertson, 'Duck Dynasty' Family Leader, Passes Away at 79

Phil Robertson, the founding figure behind the popular series Duck Dynasty and creator of a successful duck hunting equipment company that propelled his family into reality TV stardom, has passed away at the age of 79.

His son, Jase Robertson, announced his passing in a social media post late Sunday, though no cause of death was mentioned.

Last year, Jase shared on the family’s podcast that his father was facing early-stage Alzheimer’s along with various other health issues.

Mr. Robertson gained fame as one of the central figures on Duck Dynasty, the A&E reality show featuring his family — including his wife Kay, their sons and daughters-in-law, an uncle, and several grandchildren — with the storyline loosely centered around their duck hunting equipment company.

Born on April 24, 1946, in the small town of Vivian in northwestern Louisiana, Mr. Robertson was one of seven siblings in his family.

He earned a football scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in physical education and later obtained a master’s in education. Following his studies, he spent several years working as a teacher in schools across Louisiana.

Unhappy with the duck calls available at the time, Mr. Robertson decided to create a better version himself. In 1972, he hand-carved what would become the trademark item of his future business, Duck Commander, which he officially launched in 1973.

According to his son Willie in a 2013 interview with The New York Times, Mr. Robertson was originally against the concept of doing a TV show. “He told me, ‘I’m already as well-known as I care to be,’” Willie recalled. He went on to explain to his father, “Phil, this could give you a bigger stage to share the messages you’re passionate about,” especially his Christian beliefs.

The family was among the pioneers in reality TV to openly acknowledge that their show was scripted to some extent, referring to it as “guided reality.” Producers would outline the general framework of scenarios, and the family would act them out. This approach reinforced the notion that the line between authentic and fabricated moments is often blurred and less significant in reality television.

The show has faced its share of controversy. In 2013, Mr. Robertson was temporarily removed from the series following an interview in which he made remarks that many considered offensive to the LGBTQ+ community. However, due to strong support from fans and a statement from the family emphasizing that the show wouldn’t continue without their patriarch, the network soon reinstated him.

Last year, on the family podcast Unashamed with the Robertson Family, Jase Robertson revealed that his father was battling early-stage Alzheimer's. “Phil’s health is declining,” Jase shared, noting that Mr. Robertson was also suffering from a blood disorder causing various complications.

He is survived by his wife, along with his sons Alan, Jase, Jep, and Willie, as well as multiple grandchildren.