Phil Harris was the renowned captain of the Cornelia Marie boat on Discovery’s Deadliest Catch. Bearded, six feet tall, with ample tattoos, Harris checked many boxes as a sailor. He even inked a pirate on one arm and a Harley-Davidson emblem on the other. Harris was a captain for over two decades but worked hard to earn his position.
He began his adventures on the high seas at a young age, working his way from deckhand to captain. After crab fishing for many years, Harris made a name for himself as a captain and television personality. With over three million viewers a week, he was propelled to the spotlight when he joined the Deadliest Catch cast. He also leveraged fame to launch a coffee line called Captain’s Reserve in 2008. Sadly, he died in 2010 following a blend of health woes. Read on for more revealing details about the late captain.
Background and Early Life
Named Phillip Charles Harris at birth, the former Cornelia Marie captain was born on December 19, 1956, in Bothell, Washington, United States. Not much information is available about his early days but Harris learned the ropes from his father. He joined his father’s fishing business at age eight and became a crab fisherman after high school. To gain more experience, Harris worked as a deckhand on a crab boat without getting paid, and at 21, he attained the title of a crab fishing boat captain, one of the youngest on the Bering Sea.
Phil Harris Devoted His Life To Working On The High Seas
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The legendary crab fisherman was the captain of the Cornelia Marie fishing boat for more than 20 years and during that time, he led his crew through tough weather to get the job done. He was passionate about his job which endeared him to audiences. Harris and his crew became a part of the Deadliest Catch reality television series in 2004 with a film crew following their adventures. Cornelia Marie was the first boat to appear on the show during the opilio crab filming in the first season.
Deadliest Catch premiered on Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005, with an inside look at the adventures of Harris and his crew. Harris was absent from his boat for almost a year in 2008 after sustaining a life-threatening injury during a storm. He was thrown from his bunker and coughed up blood for several hours before seeking medical help. Subsequently, he underwent treatment for pulmonary embolism and joined the opilio crab fishing season in early 2009.
In addition to making a name as a crab fisherman, Phil Harris also ventured into the coffee business. His line of coffees is called Captain’s Reserve with blends like Harris Family Blend and Midnight Sunrise. Harris lived life to the fullest, working hard while playing even harder. He was popular for his love for motorcycles and drug-fueled parties on shore. Nevertheless, he was a loving father and dedicated captain which endeared him to viewers.
He Was Married Twice
Though he died a single man, Phil Harris was married twice. His first marriage was to Mary Harris from 1982 to 1991. The marriage produced his two sons Josh and Jake who worked with him on the fishing vessel. On January 22, 1992, Harris married Teresa Harris but the marriage ended in a 2006 divorce. Harris’s lifestyle made it difficult to maintain a married life but it didn’t stop him from being a good father to his children who now promote his legacy.
Phil Harris Died Of Complications From a Stroke
On January 29, 2010, during Deadliest Catch season 6, Phil Harris suffered a stroke while off-loading crab from his vessel at Saint Paul Island, Alaska. Harris was flown to Anchorage for surgery and was put in a medically induced coma to facilitate healing. He woke up after a quick recovery and reunited with his friends and family. However, Harris only had a few days to spend with them before he died on February 9, 2010, from an intracranial hemorrhage. His chain-smoking habit and drug use were said to have aggravated his health woes.
The legendary captain was cremated with part of his ashes buried in a painted Harley Davidson motorcycle gas tank. The remaining ashes were spread at sea from aboard his beloved Cornelia Marie. His son Josh took over the reins as captain as the final footage of Phil Harris at work was shown on the Deadliest Catch season 6. Also, Discovery Channel held a memorial service in his honor on April 30, 2010, along Seattle’s waterfront – Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91.Read more on Deadliest Catch star, Nick McGlashan, who passed away at 33.
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