
Sad news today. Phil Harris, who captained the Cornelia Marie on Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch,” has passed away at the age of 53, two weeks after he suffered a stroke. Harris’s condition had improved in recent days until he took a turn for the worse. TMZ brings us this unfortunate quote:
Harris was hospitalized a few weeks ago after suffering a stroke while unloading crabs.
Jake and Josh Harris, the sons who are also featured on “Deadliest Catch,” released this statement:
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad — Captain Phil Harris. 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. [via THR]
Notably, Harris should NOT be confused with Paul Watson from “Whale Wars,” the fat, white-haired captain that “South Park” skewered in last season’s “Whale Whores” episode. Which is too bad. If Watson had died I could have recommended “Poker Face” for his funeral.



Every year I tell myself I’m not going to watch Deadliest Catch again. It’s mostly the same old shit just with different “greenhorns”.
Then I realize there’s jack shit for good television when it’s on and the wife is too tired to “go fishin’” so I’m sure I’ll watch again this year.
RIP Cap’m. God speed.
I’m glad you clarified that, seeing as I’m too lazy to check. Because when I read about this earlier I just giggled and yelled, “FUCK YOU, DORPHEEN!”
Is it too soon to chuckle at the “unloading crabs” line? Um…not that I did it.
/quickly looks around room
Who would have thought that 5 packs of cigarettes and 2 gallons of coffee a day would have health implications. 53? RIP Captain Phil. Which one of the idiot sons gets the boat now?
I hope they toss his body into the Bering sea for the crabs.
Its the circle of life Simba!
I unloaded some crabs on the wife last night.
If I don’t get a stroke on a regular basis, I get really crabby.
I’m saddened because he was one of the most likable people on the show, but c’mon, you had to see this coming. The guy barely survived a massive blood clot two years ago and within six months was back to chain-smoking during 48-hour shifts at one of the worlds’ most stressful jobs. I love the show and I’ll be very interested to see how they handle this.
he seems so young and full of life!
Countdown to David Carruso/CSI Miami meme parody: 10…9…8…
He is survived by Ice Road Truckers and Axe Men.
Good riddance. One less sociopath destroying our oceans. Hopefully the Oil Rig Assholes, the Ice Roac F*ckers, and the Forest Rapers will meet the same fate.
Hey look im from scotland and everyone over here is sad to his loss and nwo that shitty lobster men has took over you barley see the crab epidodes R.I.P Phil me and the people of scotland will miss you God speed