Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, who was notorious for his anti-LGBTQ+ remarks, has died at the age of 79.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday (26 May), multiple members of Robertson’s family announced the star’s death, five months after sharing that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The post, which did not confirm the cause of Robertson’s death, shared thanks for supporters of the 79-year-old who lived “bold by his faith, and his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus”.
Robertson became a household name due to his role in reality TV series Duck Dynasty, which ran on A&E for 11 seasons from 2012 to 2017. The series followed the lives of the Robertson family who became successful due to their their Louisiana family-run hunting supply business, Duck Commander.
However, Robertson was suspended from the A&E reality show in 2013, when he questioned in an interview with GQ why gay men would prefer “a man’s anus” over a vagina.
TV network A&E subsequently it was “extremely disappointed”, adding the comments were based on Robertson’s “personal beliefs” and “in no way reflect those of A&E”.
Phil Robertson also courted controversy when he claimed that sexually transmitted infections are God’s punishment for gays.
He later gave an Easter Sermon claiming that the “sexually immoral” would go to hell and claimed that he is only as homophobic as Jesus – though his son Alan Robertson has hailed him as a 21st Century prophet more akin to John the Baptist. It’s worth noting that Jesus was not a homophobe.
The Trump supporter also appeared on stage with the now-president in 2019, and prior to this, speaking on Breitbart News Daily, he told host Stephen Bannon and Citizens United president David Bossie that he would go into hiding if Trump lost the election.
Senator Ted Cruz, who is currently spending his time in Senate ensuring trans women are excluded from living as they wish, took to X to acknowledge Robertson’s passing.
He wrote that the anti-LGBTQ+ reality TV star was “one-of-a kind” and “an American original” who “loved God, and he was fearless in speaking the truth”.
Very sad he has passed. #PhilRobertson was one of a kind. An American original. He loved God, and he was fearless in speaking the truth.
Heidi & I are praying for Phil’s family. He is with Jesus now. May he rest in peace.
https://t.co/1kzdVW5tCW
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 26, 2025
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