'Deadliest Catch' Captain Phil Harris Dies

By Bryan Alexander Posted Feb 10th 2010 02:48AM

Phil Harris, the fishing boat captain from television's wildly popular reality series 'The Deadliest Catch' has died.

The deep-sea fisherman, 53, suffered a stroke on Jan. 29 while in an Alaskan port off-loading a catch. He was flown to Anchorage for surgery and showed signs of recovery through the days following, but ultimately succumbed to the trauma.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris," his sons Jake and Josh Harris said in a statement posted on the Discovery Channel Web site. "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."

The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, has been one of the Discovery Channel's most popular. Harris was a central figure for this drama featuring the ageless tale of man taking on the elements. It depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.

In a statement, Discovery Channel senior vice president Elizabeth Hillman says, "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," she said.

Harris had been showing signs of recovery from the stroke. His sons wrote in a Feb. 3 posting on the ship's Web site: "No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn't tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain's bluntness ... We are encouraged, but still very cautious."

Harris began working on a fishing boat at age 7, and by the time he was 21, he was running a fishing vessel out of Seattle.

Comments

(869)

Wednesday 10 February

By zombie charlie

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see you on the other side Phil rest in peace brother

By ROBERTA

RIP. CAPTAIN PHIL,
MAY YOU HAVE SMOOTH WAVES,THE WIND AT YOUR BACK AND GOD BY YOUR SIDE.YOU WILL BE MISSED.

ROBERTA

By cheechako

catch you down the road, brother

By j rapp

my condolences.....you were good tv and a brave captain. thoughts to your family

By Desmond

Phil was the reason we watched the show. We will miss him and our deepest sympathy for his family. He died to doing what he loved and that says alot...life may be short..but enjoy the ride.

By Jewell Family, Ohio

Our condolences to the Harris Family. RIP Captain Phil. Our family loved to watch you and your crew. We will miss you.

By Kool Kolors

Captain Phil was my favorite cast member. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

By Juls

My heart goes out to Jake and Josh and all of the fans who have watched over the years. This is Truly a loss for all who watched , knew and loved Captain Phil. Godspeed!

By Jim & Shirley Pattison

OMG...No...He was our favorite and we have watched the show from day one and this news hurts our heart.He will be so missed you know when you start watching these shows on tv they some how start to feel like FAMILY.We are so sadden to hear of his passing.NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN...............

By Dawn York

We are so sorry about the loss of your father. We will keep you in our prayers. God bless the family and friends. Phil will be missed greatly

By mac

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Geez he smoked three packs of cigs a day.. i cant believe he lived this long.. he looked like crap

By Jeannette Fisher

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Just because he smoked cigarettes doesn't mean anything, and he looked fine to me. He went through a lot, almost missed a season of fishing due to an accident while out on the sea. I would like to see you do the work he and his crew did. Josh and Jake, I know the pain, the suddeness of your loss, all I have to say is remember the good times, the bad times and the fun you had with him. I admired Phil for going back out to sea after his accident, and I admire you, his sons, for being strong in his absence. Take care and God Bless all of the crew of the Cornelia Marie.

By wolf99

Captain Phil Harris, Our family send's our deep sympathy & condolences to his whole wife and children.Along with the fishing family. Jake & Josh, be strong for you now are the men in the house. Your dad will alway's be looking down on you all. For he is a fisherman in heaven. Captain P.Harris was alway's the most colorful man on the show Deadliest Catch. Will be missed also by tv families. God be with you all. God Bless.

By dee

My heart goes out to your family.. He will be sadly missed.

By mike

RIP Cap'n. God bless your family, crew and those who knew ya. The fleet has lost a good one.

By Mark

Rest in peace Phil, Josh and Jake you are in my prayers. Your dad was a good man, The show will never be the same. God bless you both.

By mary

RIP Capt. Phil. You will be missed. So sorry Josh and Jake for your loss, your father was loved very much, as are both of you.

By jamie

RIP Capt Phil...you will be sadly missed and our prayers go to your family

By Laura

The world is one wonderful person less with the news of Phil's passing. My heart goes out to his boys who were his obvious sunshine. My family and I love to watch deadliest catch and will always think of him and his blunt humor!! RIP Phil.... everyone will miss you!!

Thursday 11 February

By Chris

RIP Capt. Phil. The Bering Sea will forever feel your presence, sail on Good Captain, may you have fair weather and calm seas.

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