Phil Robertson

Phil Alexander Robertson (April 24, 1946 – May 25, 2025) was an American professional hunter, businessman and television personality who was the founder of hunting products company Duck Commander. A reality television star on the popular television series Duck Dynasty, he was also featured on the television show Duck Commander, a hunting program on the Outdoor Channel.[1] He served as patriarch of the Duck Dynasty Robertson family.[2]

Robertson attended Louisiana Tech University, where he played football. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching prior to founding Duck Commander, a hunting equipment company.

He was the subject of controversy after a 2013 interview he did with GQ magazine, where he said that homosexual behavior was sinful. As a result, A&E suspended him from Duck Dynasty.[3][4]

Controversies

GQ comments

On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network after an interview with Drew Magary of GQ.[3] When during the interview for a featured article in GQ's January 2014 issue entitled "What the Duck?" Robertson was asked what he thought was sinful and responded,[27] "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He paraphrased a Biblical passage from First Corinthians by saying "Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won't inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. Robertson said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying,[3][28][29][30] "We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus—whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?"

In response to initial criticisms A&E released a statement from Robertson saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me". Later that day the network announced his suspension.[31] After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes and statements from political figures condemning the move,[32][33] A&E lifted the suspension before the show was affected, no episodes were impacted.[34]

CPAC comments

In 2015, Robertson made further controversial comments when he was awarded the 2015 Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award. In a half-hour speech to CPAC, Robertson asserted that STDs are the legacy of Nazis, communists, beatniks, and hippies. He told a long and graphic anecdote about an atheist in his family being murdered, and then the assailants said, "But you're the one who says there is no God, there's no right, there's no wrong, so we're just having fun." His statements went viral.[35][36]

Personal life

Robertson and Marsha "Miss Kay" Carroway began dating in 1964 as "high school sweethearts."[37] The couple were married in 1966.[37][38] Despite early troubles in their marriage due to Robertson's "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle,"[38] a 2013 editorial published by Yahoo! TV correspondent Kelly Woo described the Robertsons' union as a "long-standing, rock-solid marriage." Their first son, Alan, was born while they were attending college.[37]

Robertson was a devout Christian, a member of and elder at the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ[39] in West Monroe, and was outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credited a subsequent religious awakening for his having been able to overcome the problems.[40] Robertson opposed abortion and called it a violation of the Declaration of Independence.[41] He frequently spoke about the issue during public appearances.[38][42] In 2013, alongside joint author Mark Schlabach, Robertson published a memoir titled Happy, Happy, Happy.[9]

In a 2013 special House of Representatives election, Robertson made a television commercial endorsing Vance McAllister, a Republican candidate for the Robertson family's home district, LA's 5th congressional district. McAllister, who had never held political office, defeated the thought-to-be frontrunner, state senator Neil Riser. Many attributed the strength of McAllister's come-from-behind victory to the Robertson endorsement.[43] In 2016, Phil Robertson endorsed Ted Cruz for president.[44] As Cruz dropped out of the race, Robertson, while in Cannes, France, endorsed Donald Trump for president.[45] In 2017 Alabama US Senate special election, he endorsed Roy Moore.[46]

In either December 2016 or January 2017, after Ben Carson stepped down from being chairman of American Legacy Center's "Fight for the Court" project, Robertson filled the vacancy.[47][48] On May 28, 2020, it was revealed that Robertson had learned he had a daughter named Phyllis from an affair in the 1970s.[49] In 2024, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.[50]

Death

Robertson died on May 25, 2025, at the age of 79.[51][52] No cause of death was announced but it is known Robertson suffered health issues.[53] His daughter-in-law said that a private service and a public celebration of life will be held.[54] The private family service, in which all of Phil's children spoke eulogies, was recorded and the video was released to the public via YouTube on June 7, 2025.[55]

birth name	Phil Alexander Robertson
birth date	April 24, 1946
birth place	Vivian, Louisiana, U.S.
death date	May 25, 2025
death place	West Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
television	Duck Dynasty
alma mater	Louisiana Tech University (BS, MEd)
occupation	Hunter, businessman, reality television star
years active	1972–2025
party	Republican
spouse	Marsha Kay Carroway (m. 1966)
children	5, including Jase and Willie
relatives	Si Robertson (brother) Korie Robertson (daughter-in-law) Sadie Robertson (granddaughter)

Early life and education

College and football

Career

Before Duck Commander

Duck Commander

Other media

Controversies

GQ comments

CPAC comments

Personal life

Death

External links

References