'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 brian

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Thats too bad. He was such a cool guy-very straight forward, tough but fair. Raised two cool boys. He was one of the more memorable characters. If I was younger-would have loved to work for him.

By Donna

Rest In Peace Captain Phil! Heaven just received one of the best Catches. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Harris Family.

By Frank

God we will miss you here in Texas. What a great show and a GREAT MAN! Phil I can say one thing that I am glad for and that the sea did not take you. You beat the sea. Good for you. RIP!

Frank

By Hugh

Josh and Jake my deepest sympathies to you and your family, It is strange knowing all these seasons we have been watching your family and others in a tv series but still feeling you are part of my extended family. watching the drama day in and day out you all have been a part of our lives. your father was one of those people who you just gravitate to. he was genuine thru and thru. your father lived his life his way and I'm sure he went the same way. I'm glad for this TV show for it brought you all into our lives and into our own families. I wish you all the strength and peace to continue. your father was a class act and will be truly missed. God bless you captain Phil I will surely miss you in my life . Sail on good sir

By Sherry

Very well said. Sail on Capain Phil, sail on. You will be greatly missed by our family. One of the best has gone on to the other great catch in the sky. God bless your family, friends and crew.

By Coleen

I am so deeply saddened to hear of Captain Phil's passing. I have followed Deadliest Catch since the beginning and Phil has been my favorite. My sincere and deepest condolences to his wife and sons.

Captain Phil...rest in peace. I know that you are now sitting around a table telling stories with all the other fisherman that have lost their lives to the sea.

I'm sure that the show will continue on...but it won't be the same without you. Thank you for sharing your life, yourself and your experiences with us strangers. You will always be admired and remembered.

By ttrexxx

great show good man tough life.R.I.P.

By tom

it times where most tv is garbage. i really enjoyed the show. and still watch it. it shows, family, hard work, and dedication in an environment and conditions that most everyone would not endure. if you have never watched it and can pull yourself away from other tv garbage, try watching it. and phil may you rest in peace my man, god bless

By justin

RIP Phil. I hope you fish for them red gold in the kingdom of heaven where everything will be plentiful. You will be truly missed we love you and your legacy will never die threw your sons and family! rip buddy!

By mdfox

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Sad. One of the few left that actually worked hard for a living in this country....why can't we see the demise of the Paris Hiltons of the world instead.

By Rachael

You were the best! May you rest in peace. May your boys continue on with their legacy. You will be sorely missed. You were indeed my family's favorite. Our paryers are with you and your family.

By Tony

Capt. Phil you were the best on the show. It will be hard to continue to watch "Deadliest Catch" without you. Condolences to your family. Hope the boys continue to run the best ship in the fleet.RIP CAPT. PHIL Heres a Red Bull to you.

By Steve

Captain Phil....I guess the Lord wanted you at his table of plenty.....You are now in the greatest ocean in the world. You will be missed by all.

By chris

R.I.P captain phil you were one of the best. my thoughts and prayers are with your family. loved watching you on the show. i know your sons will make you proud on the boat. im sure they will continue your great legacy. jake and josh your dad was the best make him proud. till we meet in heaven capt phil. godspeed.

By melloveskarie

My thoughts and prayers will be for your family. I have watched Deadliest Catch since it started and Phil was always my favorite. His laugh was contagious as was his love for his family and friends. We will miss you Phil, life and the show will not be the same without you.

By Ron R

All my thought and prayers are with you Josh and Jake. Phil will be deeply missed. God Bless you and your family

By Outlaw Josey Wales

If this is the way life has to be
At least he wasn't lost at sea
RIP

By Hannah

The Corneila Marie is mourning the loss of her captain...how very sad to lose Phil at that young age. I hope Josh and Jake stay at the helm and make their daddy proud. God bless the entire family.

By Dave

Our deepest sympathy to the Harris family. Captain Phil was always one of our favorites on Deadliest catch. He will be missed. RIP Capt. Phil.

By eskieme1970

went to work at 7 and ran his own boat at 21- don't make em like that anymore.

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