Known for their incredibly long beards and their Christian views, the Robertson family reality series Duck Dynasty took the world by storm. For 11 seasons, Americans religiously watched the Robertson family antics and their family-operated business of Duck Commander – a Louisiana business which creates products for none other than duck hunters. Over the years, they’ve basically become a part of our own dysfunction family, however there are a few facts that most of us don’t know about the Robertson clan. So without further ado, we’ve compiled some pretty snazzy facts all fans should about the beloved show, y’all get ready now.
Mustache You A Question
We weren’t joking that the Robertson’s are known for their beards – it’s practically synonymous with the name! Nonetheless, they aren’t merely a choice. In fact, they were under contractual obligation to sport a beard for the show. Hey, when it works, it works.
Mustache You A Question
Bringing Home the Bacon
Now as you know, the Robertson family business, Duck Commander, is how they bring in the big bucks. But do you know just how large those bucks are? Well, just in 2012, their revenue amounted to $40 million! Whereas the 30-second commercials which aired on Duck Dynasty sold for crazy amounts like $180,000!
Bringing Home The Bacon
Started From The Bottom…
As the head of the family, Phil Robertson is best known…for many things. Although sometimes we forget that he comes from humble beginnings. One of seven(!) children, Phil was raised with sometimes no electricity, no toilet, or no bathtub. Most of us can barely survive without WiFi so it just puts it all into perspective now doesn’t it?
Started From The Bottom…
Let’s Talk Fashion
There is no denying that the cast members have a rather distinct fashion sense – and it’s not always appreciated. For reasons that are pretty clear though. As a matter of fact, Phil and Miss Kay’s second son, Jase, was once kicked out of the Trump International Hotel in New York City. Why? Well, a staff member believed he looked homeless. Oh.
Let’s Talk Fashion
You Got My Vote
No doubt about it but the 2016 presidential campaign in the United States was a contentious one. And frankly, it is still a sore talking point for many. Anyways, turns out that Willie, Phil and Miss Kay’s third son, was vocal about his support for Donald Trump. Considering the Duck Dynasty fan-base, this didn’t pose much of a problem.
You Got My Vote
Fan-Girling
Considering the last talking point, this one is slightly ironic. In 2013, Willie and Korie Robertson were invited to the White House Correspondents’ dinner! And, yes, they met President Barack Obama, who even informed them that he was a huge fan of the show. Go figure.
Fan Girling
Camera Shy
“Hey!” Fan favorite, Uncle Si, was originally incredibly shy around the cameras. Which then meant that the crew were forced to hide them just to catch him unaware. Boy are we glad he got over that fear. “Jack.”
Camera Shy
No, Thank You
For those faint of heart, this one might not be for you. Okay so “faint of heart” is probably stretching it but anyways. Turns out that Uncle Si received tons of offers from women. Yes, we mean in terms of companionship. Apparently it got so out of control that Si changed his Facebook profile picture to him and his wife just to get people to lay off.
No Thank You
Smart Cookie
71 year old Phil is the family patriarch and also the creator of the famous Duck Commander duck call. However did you know he was actually a QB at Louisiana Tech, heck he was contacted by the Washington Redskins! Although Phil eventually quit football as it disrupted with duck hunting season. Lastly, Phil went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech with a BA in Physical Education and then received his Masters in Education via night classes while he worked as a school teacher. Whoa.
Smart Cookie
Way Back When
Good ol’ Jep didn’t always sport the whole bearded, redneck image. Nope, he didn’t! Back in the late 90’s, he even wore his hair short and blonde, basically he was like a mini Eminem – yes, we do mean the rapper. Hard to imagine, isn’t it?
Way Back When
Dolla Bills
Granted talking about money isn’t always cultured but here we are regardless. Willie, the CEO of Duck Commander, has a net worth estimated at a startling $20 million! If your jaws aren’t on the floor then you must also be a millionaire?
Dolla Bills
Cha-Cha-Slide
Now Willie and his wife Korie have six children. Their daughter Sadie, 20 years old, actually came in second place in the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars! Unlike dad, she doesn’t have two left feet!
Cha Cha Slide
Trumpeter
Speaking of Sadie, during the 2016 election presidential election in the United States, Sadie was also highly vocal in her support for Donald Trump. We guess that is something that runs in the family, eh?
Trumpeter
Her Own Path
Now unlike her father, Sadie has absolutely no interest in the family’s duck caller business. Instead, she has her sights on fashion as she works for Sherri Hill, where she designs dresses. Shame the rest of the family didn’t inherit her fashion sense.
Her Own Path
Beard Woes
So as you probably know, Jase runs the manufacturing aspects at Duck Commander. And just like the rest of the males in the family, he sports the traditional bread. In his case, he’s all right with it but his wife on the other hand, isn’t much of a fan. In a few interviews, she has admitted that didn’t mind it so much during duck season but knowing that he has to sport it all year round for the show was a bit much.
Beard Woes
Minus One
Ready for this surprising fact? Phil actually has four kids! However just three wanted to appear on Duck Dynasty, whereas his oldest son, Alan, chose not to participate. Unfortunately it is still not known for what reason(s).
Minus One
Stunt Double On The Ready
Just in case you thought reality television was real, we have some news for you! Back in 2012, an email was sent in the search for casting. Which sounds harmless except that the casting was specifically looking for bearded actors! Yup, they wanted “stunt doubles” to stand in for the Robertsons when needed. Huh.
Stunt Double On The Ready
Fake News
Going off the last fact in terms of “fake-ness”. Phil Robertson has even said that Duck Dynasty is “fake.” Although he doesn’t seem to want to elaborate as to why so we’re all left wondering just what’s what.
Fake News
Crossing A Line
No doubt you’re aware that in December 2013, Phil Robertson gave a very controversial interview to GQ magazine. One that lead to his indefinite suspension by A&E! The reason for the suspension was due to his crass remarks as being “anti-gay”. However after tons of public pressure toward A&E to lift the suspension, Phil was eventually reinstated to the show. Nine days after the suspension was awarded in the first place.
Crossing A Line
Duck Dynasty: Impressive
Let’s talk about something far more light, now shall we? Duck Dynasty shattered tons of rating record for A&E and also cable television as an entirety. Especially the fourth-season premiere which had 11.8 million viewers; making it the most-watched nonfiction cable series in all of history. WHOA.
Duck Dynasty: Impressive
Not So Tech Savvy
It is known that Phil dislikes modern technology – okay, dislike might be putting it lightly. In any case, he’s even called himself “a low-tech man in a high-tech world.” Furthermore he has stated his concern that his grandchildren are turning into “yuppies”. FYI, a yuppie is a “young upwardly mobile professional.”
Not So Tech Savvy
Brains of the Operation?
We’ve already mention that Willie is Phil and Miss Kay’s third son, and is also the CEO of Duck Commander. But did you know that Willie has a BA in Health and Human Performance from the NE Louisiana University? With an emphasis on Business, no less. Essentially Will is the one who took Duck Commander from a mere family business to the multimillion-dollar empire that it is now. Pretty impressive.
Brains Of The Operation
Censorship
So in 2012, Phil Robertson said on Sports Spectrum, a Christian sports publication, that he had confronted the producers about the editors on the show telling. Apparently they told them not to say Jesus’ name while they prayed at the end of each episode. Moreover they would add intermittent bleep censors, but only over random portions of the Robertson’s unscripted dialogue. Although none of them ever said anything with profanity. However A&E have not commented on the claims.
Censorship
The Kardashians
Now here’s a fact that is seriously mind-boggling! Ahem, the Robertsons actually overtook their rival reality family, the Kardashians, and become the most-watched nonfiction series in American cable television history. Yup, you read that right.
The Kardashians
Mama Bear
Kay Robertson is Phil’s wife, but you probably knew that now didn’t you? But did you know that Kay was only 15 when she married Phil? Guess times really were different then!
Mama Bear
Halloween
Duck Dynasty actually topped the list when it came to celebrity/pop themed costume searches on Yahoo! back in October 2013, according to the data that was compiled by the Yahoo Web trend expert, Carolyn Clark. We did say that Duck Dynasty is an incredibly popular show!
Halloween
Christmas Special
On December 5, 2012, Duck Dynasty aired an hour long Christmas special. This special served as the finale for season two and, at the time, it was actually the most-watched A&E episode in the network’s entire history. Crazy.
Christmas Special
Baptized By Phil
Here’s a wicked fact – Phil Robertson has actually baptized over 300 people in the river that is near to his home. Told you it was wicked! Wicked cool that is.
Baptized By Phil
It’s All Over
Duck Dynasty actually became THE most-watched nonfiction series in cable history – but after 11 seasons, it’s all over. Why? Well a huge ratings dip and also the cast’s super busy schedules outside of the show are apparently the reason why. However reports have come out to claim that it is a joint decision between the family and the network.
It’s All Over