Deadliest Catch Captain Dies at 53
Credit: Discovery Channel
Deadliest Catch's Captain Phil Harris died in Alaska Tuesday night. He was 53.
Harris -- who starred on the Discovery Channel reality show for five seasons -- suffered a massive stroke last month.
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"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad, Captain Phil Harris," said his sons, Josh and Jake, in a statement. "Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers."
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The network released a statement, "Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil's every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil's sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.
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Harris seemed to be on the mend after undergoing surgery in January. On Saturday, he reality star posted on his Web site that he was "talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress" since suffering from the stroke.
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27I am a diehard fan of Most Dealiest Catch. I'm so sad about his passing. My Grandfather was a crab fisherman long ago. This show made me realize what a hard job he had to endure. I will miss Captain Phil, he was one of my favorite captains. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. And, Thank You Captain Phil for all that you have done. Rest in peace.. I'll Miss you on Deadliest Catch... you were a star and will surely be remembered.
I am so saddened by this news. Despite the Time Bandit and Jonathan Hillstrand are my faves on the Deadliest Catch, I just absolutely love all the captains and cannot believe that Captain Phil is gone. One of my favorite episodes was when he was smoking two cigarettes at one time....... I give so much credit to what these men and their crew do, they risk their lives. I agree with Seattle Girl as for the duration of them being out to sea they live on coffee, red bull and cigarettes, they don't get to eat right or get enough sleep. Regardless, the show will not be the same without Captain Phil. Josh and Jake carry on your dad's legacy. Your dad will never be forgotten by this generation and will be truly missed by all of the Deadliest Catch fans. RIP Captain Phil, you will be forever in my heart!!!!!!!! Peace out 8)
this is very tragic and sad. he was by far my favorite captain on the show. he will be sadly missed
This is one of my favorite shows on tv and the only reality show I can stomach. RIP guy. Thanks for the adrenaline rushes.
he was my favorite! he reminded me of my father, gruff but loving. im sure they will really miss him, i will and i was just an fan. i feel as though i lost a friend.
This is very sad. He was a really nice guy and seemed like a dedicated Dad. I hate to say it, but living off coffee, cigarettes, no sleep and high stress is a disaster waiting to happen. It's just too bad that he died so young. My condolences to the family.
RIP Captain. God Bless you & your family.
My sincere condolences to the family of such a jovial, but young man. Gone too soon...our family has been hit with this as well, a sudden death, and you are shocked, sick with sadness, grief, yet you are supposed to go on. To the family, the best thing you can do for your dearly departed IS indeed to take a small step each day in getting on with life, pretty soon they will be bigger steps, and you always know your loved one is looking over you. God Bless you all
I would like to send my condolences to Josh, Jake, Cornelia Marie crew, and other relatives on the untimely death of Phil. Josh and Jake, your father was a no nonsense person who had an incredible zest for life. It was apparent on how much he loved you boys. He lived his life on his terms. I hope both of you will continue fishing and keep his legacy alive. I will keep you in my prayers. Phil was one class act!
I would like to send my condolences to Josh, Jake, Cornelia Marie crew, and other relatives on the untimely death of Phil. Josh and Jake, your father was a no nonsense person who had an incredible zest for life. It was apparent on how much he loved you boys. He lived his life on his terms. I hope both of you will continue fishing and keep his legacy alive. I will keep you in my prayers. Phil was one class act!
Capt. Phil was who you saw he was on the show. An ordinary hard working guy that loved his family. He used to shop in a store I work in and he was friendly, sweet caring person who would stop to bow down and scratch a dog behind it's ears and treat people with kindness. What a immense loss to our community here in Seattle. I miss him already.
I loved to watch Deadliest Catch; Captain Phil was wonderful-my favorite person on the show. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Rest In Peace Captain, you will be missed.
I have watched the Deadliest Catch from day one and I thank all of the Captains and crews for letting us into their lives and being a great inspiration for hard work, loyalty and friendship. It was quite evident that he loved his family and his craft, he will be very missed. My condolences to Josh, Jake and his entire family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have watched Deadliest Catch from it's beginning and feel like I've lost an old friend. Carry on with his legacy Jake & Josh and continue your job with dignity and passion he had. Know he loves you very much. Take care.
May he rest in peace - he was great on the show. As the gf of a prospective captain, I understand the life he and his family leads. Pretty tough. RIP.
I love this show and Captain Phil was my favorite captain. He was a great man and will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to Josh and Jake and his entire family.
Our condolences go out to Phil's family & friend, he will be sadly missed.
My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Cpt. Phil. You will be sadly missed by many.
HUH? --- Really you dont know who he is? Maybe if you watched something he was on a discovery chan show. Guess you dont watch that
Aww :( This was such a great show. He will me missed. RIP Captain