History of Phil Robertson in Timeline

Phil Robertson rose to prominence through the reality television series "Duck Dynasty," showcasing his life as a professional hunter and businessman. Alongside his appearances on "Duck Dynasty," he's also known for "Duck Commander," a hunting program aired on the Outdoor Channel. His entrepreneurial ventures extend to the Duck Commander company, a manufacturer of duck calls and hunting accessories, which he founded. Robertson's outspoken views on faith, family, and hunting have often sparked public discussion, further contributing to his media presence.

April 24, 1946: Birth of Phil Robertson

Phil Robertson was born on April 24, 1946.

1964: Begins Dating Marsha Carroway

Phil Robertson and Marsha "Miss Kay" Carroway began dating in 1964.

1966: Marries Marsha Carroway

Phil Robertson and Marsha Carroway married in 1966.

1966: Starts at Louisiana Tech

Phil Robertson began playing first-string quarterback for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 1966.

1967: Continues at Louisiana Tech

Phil Robertson continued to play as the starting quarterback for Louisiana Tech in 1967.

1968: Chooses Not to Play

Phil Robertson opted not to play football in 1968.

1970: Terry Bradshaw Drafted

Terry Bradshaw, who Phil Robertson played ahead of at Louisiana Tech, was the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft.

1972: Duck Commander Call Invented

Phil Robertson invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972.

1973: Duck Commander Company Incorporated

The Duck Commander Company was incorporated in 1973.

1975: Running a Bar

In 1975, Phil Robertson was running a bar. His marriage was also strained during this time.

1985: Time Period Covered by "The Blind"

"The Blind" film covers the Robertson family's story up to 1985, before their Duck Dynasty fame.

2012: Duck Dynasty Premieres

The reality television series Duck Dynasty, featuring Phil Robertson and his family, premiered in 2012.

December 18, 2013: Suspension from A&E

On December 18, 2013, A&E indefinitely suspended Phil Robertson due to controversial comments he made in a GQ interview.

2013: GQ Interview and Suspension

In 2013, Phil Robertson gave an interview to GQ magazine where he made controversial comments about homosexuality, leading to his suspension from Duck Dynasty. A&E later lifted the suspension due to public backlash.

2013: Marriage Described as "Rock-Solid"

In 2013, a Yahoo TV correspondent described the Robertsons' marriage as "long-standing, rock-solid."

2013: Endorses Vance McAllister

Phil Robertson endorsed Vance McAllister in a special election for Louisiana's 5th congressional district in 2013.

2013: Publishes Memoir

Phil Robertson published his memoir, "Happy, Happy, Happy," co-authored with Mark Schlabach, in 2013.

January 2014: GQ Article Published

The GQ article featuring Phil Robertson's controversial interview, titled "What the Duck?," was published in the January 2014 issue.

2015: Breitbart Award and Controversial Comments

Phil Robertson received the Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award in 2015. He made further controversial statements about STDs and told a graphic story about the murder of an atheist family, sparking widespread attention.

December 2016: Potentially Chairs "Fight for the Court"

Phil Robertson potentially became chairman of American Legacy Center's "Fight for the Court" project in December 2016, after Ben Carson stepped down. The exact date is uncertain, it could have been January 2017.

2016: Endorses Ted Cruz and Donald Trump

In 2016, Phil Robertson initially endorsed Ted Cruz for President, but later switched his endorsement to Donald Trump after Cruz dropped out of the race.

January 2017: Potentially Chairs "Fight for the Court"

Phil Robertson potentially became chairman of American Legacy Center's "Fight for the Court" project in January 2017, after Ben Carson stepped down. The exact date is uncertain, it could have been December 2016.

October 2017: Joins CRTV

In October 2017, Phil Robertson joined CRTV as a contributor and hosted "In the Woods with Phil."

2017: Endorses Roy Moore

Phil Robertson endorsed Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate in the 2017 Alabama run-off election.

2017: Duck Dynasty Ends

The television series Duck Dynasty concluded its run in 2017.

May 28, 2020: Discovers Daughter from Affair

On May 28, 2020, it was revealed that Phil Robertson had a daughter, Phyllis, from an affair in the 1970s.

September 2023: Release of "The Blind - The True Story of the Robertson Family"

"The Blind - The True Story of the Robertson Family" was released in theaters nationwide in September 2023. The film covers the Robertson family's life up to 1985.