Phil Robertson, the beloved patriarch of the popular television series "Duck Dynasty," and the visionary behind a duck hunting equipment venture that laid the groundwork for his family's burgeoning reality TV dynasty, has passed away at the age of 79. His son, Jase Robertson, confirmed the tragic news in a heartfelt social media post on Sunday evening, though the exact cause of his demise remained unspecified.
In a poignant podcast last year, Jase had revealed that his father had been battling early-stage Alzheimer's disease alongside other health challenges.
Mr. Robertson shone brightly as one of the stars of "Duck Dynasty," an A&E hit that revolved around his close-knit family – including his wife, Kay; their sons and their wives; an uncle; and some grandchildren – and their thriving duck hunting equipment business.
Born on April 24, 1946, in Vivian, a quaint rural hamlet nestled in the northwestern corner of Louisiana, Mr. Robertson was the fourth of seven siblings. On a football scholarship, he attended Louisiana Tech University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and later a master's in education. Following his academic pursuits, he dedicated several years to teaching in Louisiana's schools.
However, Phil's dissatisfaction with the available duck calls on the market led him to embark on a mission to craft his own. In 1972, he meticulously carved the very first prototype that would eventually become the signature product of Duck Commander, the company he founded the subsequent year.
In 2013, Willie, the son of Mr. Robertson, revealed to The New York Times that his father was initially averse to the notion of a television show. "He declared, 'I'm already as renowned as I desire to be,'" Willie recounted. "I endeavored to elucidate to him, 'Phil, this venture can broaden your platform to discourse on matters that ignite your passion,' " encompassing his devout Christian faith.
"Duck Dynasty," which spanned over 11 seasons from 2012 to 2017, once stood tall among the most viewed programs on cable television, attracting an audience as vast as 12 million viewers. Loosely revolving around the Duck Commander enterprise, helmed by Willie, the third son of Mr. Robertson and his wife Kay, the show garnered a loyal fanbase for its quirky humor, the eccentric escapades of its characters, and the family's adeptness at extracting self-effacing wisdom from their redneck persona.
Remarkably, this family was among the pioneers in the realm of reality television to openly confess that their show was scripted, describing it as "guided reality," where producers would outline the framework of a scenario and let the family experience it authentically. This approach helped cement the notion that, in the realm of reality television, distinguishing between authenticity and fabrication is of little consequence.
Occasionally, the show courted controversy. In 2013, Mr. Robertson was briefly sidelined from the show following an interview where he uttered remarks widely deemed offensive to the LGBTQ+ community. However, the network swiftly reinstated him amidst the fervent pleas of fans and after the family issued a statement emphasizing that the show could not continue without its patriarch.
Last year, Jase Robertson disclosed on the family's podcast, "Unashamed with the Robertson Family," that his father was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. "Phil's not faring well," Jase lamented, adding that Mr. Robertson was also battling a "blood disorder causing myriad complications."
Mr. Robertson leaves behind his beloved wife, his sons Alan, Jase, Jep, and Willie, along with several grandchildren, who will undoubtedly cherish his memory.
