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A&E’s out-of-left-field smash hit reality series Duck Dynasty may have ended nearly a year and a half ago, but that doesn’t mean the story of this wacky, backwater Louisiana family is even close to concluding. While America may not have a direct line to their daily lives anymore, the exploits of the rambunctious Robertson family are still just as exciting to follow. Unique and charming due mostly to their crazy exploits and one-of-a-kind southern allure, Phil, Willie, Si, and the gang haven’t exactly been taking it easy since the curtains on their mainstream TV series were drawn closed.

The Robertsons were as strange and compelling as any other reality TV family — perhaps more so thanks to their Swamp People ethos. As longtime viewers may expect, there are a ton of weird secrets and surprising facts concerning the Robertson family that could make those missing the show fall in love with them all over again. From a pair of bestselling authors, to a hair-raising charity event, to a classic duck camo-clad BMW, there is still a whole lot more to this bayou-born bunch than meets the eye.

Though the show drew the ire of reality TV detractors, Duck Dynasty remained a hit throughout its five-year span on primetime. A totally new take on a Keeping Up With the Kardashians-esque program, it was refreshing to see celebrity and intrigue thrust upon these otherwise reclusive folk. While they have managed to stumble upon a few controversies during their time in the spotlight, the Robertsons are still an unforgettable group in 2018.

Duck Commander

Just about everyone familiar with the Robertson family will know that Si Robertson prides himself on his one-of-a-kind duck calls, which he believes to be the most effective hunting tools ever created by man. What fans aren’t explicitly told, however, is that, regardless of quality, he sells a ton of them. Though he isn’t quite old enough to have been around in 1870 to file the original patent for the duck call, he’s probably the wealthiest man to ever partake in the business. With around 600,000 duck calls sold annually, it’s fair to assume that he knows a thing or two about his craft.

Last Man Standing

Though primarily famous for their own reality television series, some of the guys from Duck Dynasty made appearances on the once-defunct Tim Allen-led comedy series Last Man Standing. Written into the show to help Tim and his family overcome some weirdly existential issues, the appearance of Willie and Si Robertson cemented the show as one of the very few right wing-leaning sitcoms on air today. Fox has recently picked up the ABC-axed show and plans to premiere an all-new seventh season later this year. This could mean that everyone’s favorite bearded hunters could make a return, in some form, to primetime.

Going Si-ral

Last Man Standing wasn’t the only network television show Willie and Si Robertson appeared on since Duck Dynasty came to a close back in 2017. In an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the two men who arguably made the show such a big deal, A&E rushed out a comedy-centric Si-led program which was much in the vein of something like America's Funniest Home Videos or Ridiculousness. Unfortunately, Uncle Si’s hot takes on viral videos from 2012 didn’t fair all that well in 2017, and Going Si-ral was axed after a short ten-episode season.

Phil and Kay Robertson Were Married at 16

Though their show was relatively unorthodox, the relationship between Phil and Kay Robertson is so by-the-books it's almost difficult to believe. Though it may be obvious to longtime fans of the A&E program, Phil and Kay have been married for a very long time, and they actually started dating all the way back in high school. A storybook romance, Phil was the captain of the football team, and Kay was a cheerleader. The two began dating when they were 14 years old, and were married two years later. There’s nothing wrong with tying the knot early in life, but these two may have been pushing the limit.

Si Robertson Served 

Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson has never shied away from relaying his military experience to just about anyone that will listen, but it is interesting to note that his record as a serviceman is long and storied. Initially conscripted during the onset of the Vietnam War in 1968, his tour in the south pacific would give rise to a military career which would span decades. Eventually retiring in 1993, it’s safe to assume that the man’s affinity for camo attire doesn’t stem solely from his rural Louisiana roots.

The Robertson Family is Loaded

Most associate fabulous riches with either nineteenth-century oil tycoons or modern-day Silicon Valley tech pioneers. While that may be an accurate assumption, these occupations are far from the only money making methods available. Few would guess that a family could be made wealthy on the back of a bunch of duck hunting paraphernalia, but that is precisely what the Robertson family has done. The family business raked in an astonishing $40 million in 2012 alone, an economic boon spurred mostly by their newfound fame. Nevertheless, those looking to strike it rich may want to start doing business with the likes of Bass Pro Shops.

Beards Not Optional

This is a quirky production fact that has been tossed around a good bit since Duck Dynasty first gained fame back in 2012, but all of the men featured on the show were contractually obligated to keep their beards. In fact, one of the guys stated that they were to consult A&E before they made any changes to their appearance. This is, in some regard, understandable: Brand identity is a major part of marketing, and, if a bunch of cast members looking like rejected ZZ Top members was the show’s claim to fame, then so be it.

another Career

Though he never actually ran for political office himself, Phil Robertson used his reality TV fame to campaign for his favorite political candidates in the 2016 election. Initially, he toured in support of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, though he later adopted a position favoring the current president once Cruz’s election gambit was terminated. The Robertson family’s political leanings are by no means surprising to anyone familiar with the show, but there may be a small sense of irony in the fact that one reality TV star helped to support the newfound political career of another.

Hit the Road in Style

Though many have criticized the show for its aggrandized, relatively caricatured portrayal of hunting culture, one thing remains authentic: the Robertsons really do love camo. Instances of non-camo clad Robertson family members were few and far between on the show, and most of them perpetually looked like they were five minutes late to a date with a hunting blind — most likely because they actually were. Willie Robertson has taken his love of camo so far as to cover his expensive BMW in it. It must turn quite a few heads on the road, and it more or less epitomizes the Duck Dynasty crew’s unique take on luxury.

Better Than American Idol

Though not specifically related to the Robertson family themselves, their reality TV prowess was phenomenal, and Duck Dynasty will doubtlessly cast a shadow on similar programs for years to come. Unbelievably, A&E’s quirky show about a family of duck hunting moguls actually managed to outperform the finale of America’s one-time unstoppable singing competition American Idol. Many would have considered that show to be untouchable, but some scrappy Louisiana natives managed to overthrow it. For those still skeptical about the show’s quality, this may be indicative of how surprisingly entertaining Duck Dynasty actually was.

Off the Wagon

Though the Robertson family may take their religious scruples very seriously, that hasn’t stopped some of these bearded reality stars from chipping away at the clan’s saintly veneer. In a way ironic thanks to his father’s zealous conservative nature, Jep Robertson has admitted to having something of a problem during his younger years. He has admitted to indulging in an incredibly raucous lifestyle as a teen, and it’s a way of life that, on the surface, would seem totally alien to this family. Everyone has their issues, though, and Jep’s simply happen to run a bit deeper than his ridiculous obsession with camo.

“Reality” TV

Despite garnering the attention of hundreds of millions and causing A&E’s ratings to skyrocket during their reality TV tenure, the Robertsons have admitted that their televised personas aren’t totally indicative of who they actually are when the cameras aren’t rolling. In fact, Phil Robertson once admitted that the show was essentially entirely fake, and that many of the events covered on his family’s program were either highly aggrandized or outright scripted. Of course, this should comes as no surprise to avid reality TV viewers, and much of the fun of Duck Dynasty came from the quips and quirks of the characters rather than the actual goings-on of each episode.

Phil Robertson was Fired and Reintroduced Within a Week

As the show rapidly gained steam in late 2012 and early 2013, the Robertson family seemingly didn’t know how to handle the fame. This was made evident when, during a 2013 interview with GQ, Phil Robertson expressed a set of highly controversial views regarding his thoughts on the LGBT community. While his conservative background should have made his political stances relatively obvious from the beginning, Phil was nevertheless shown the door following the scandal, only to be brought back into the Duck Dynasty fold following an apology which came roughly a week after the interview was first made public.

Phil was a Star Quarterback in College

This is a relatively unknown fact concerning one of the patriarchy of the Robertson clan, but Phil Robertson was once on track to become a professional football player. During his college years, he stole the show as quarterback at Louisiana Tech. While that is impressive in his own right, it’s even more astonishing given proper context: sitting on the bench as the second-man-up from Robertson was NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. At one time, Phil Robertson was considered to be a better player than the man who would eventually go on to win four Superbowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Touring to be the boss

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the political leanings of his close relatives, Willie Robertson was a huge supporter of the current president during his successful 2016 political bid. Though controversial to some, Willie Robertson’s political leanings were by no means surprising. He was ecstatic to see that, in November 2016, his candidate had claimed the Oval Office, and he even journeyed to D.C. in early 2017 to view the inauguration in person. While there, Willie’s fame and political support earned him a tour of the White House, which likely took place around the same time as the new President’s first tour.

Roughin’ It

The Robertson family is known for their rugged, wild nature, but few realize that their love for the great outdoors may have stemmed from the rough living conditions in which Phil Robertson grew up. One of seven children, Phil was raised in a home which had neither electricity nor running water, and these living conditions almost certainly brought him closer to the outdoors. Some may draw parallels between him and famous country music singer Dolly Parton — both were raised in similar conditions. Yet, rather than establish a career as a musician, Phil struck it rich doing what he does best: hunting ducks.

Willie’s Duck Diner

After Duck Dynasty concluded, the Duck Commander hardly missed a beat returning to life outside of reality TV. in September of 2017, Willie re-opened his family’s Monroe, Louisiana-based eatery. Appropriately dubbed “Willie’s Duck Diner,” this Robertson family establishment serves up typical diner fair and places a heavy emphasis on faith. Perhaps not uncommon in some reaches of the American south, Willie has placed his religious affiliation above all else in this particular business venture, and he wants to make it known that, at Willie’s Duck Diner, “saying grace is encouraged.”

Jep and Jessica: Growing Up Dynasty

Much like Willie and Uncle Si in Going Si-ral, Jep Robertson and his wife, Jessica, seemingly couldn’t quite leave the world of reality TV behind. While Si accepted a pretty softball gig reviewing old Internet memes, Jep and Jessica: Growing Up Dynasty offered viewers a look into the lives of the Duck Dynasty family as well as a few-behind-the-scenes moments centered around the show’s production. Similar in quite a few ways to TLC’s hit show Counting On, Jep and Jessica was sort of an expose concerning what it was like to live such a unique life and to live for years as one of the stars of a major show. Growing Up Dynasty only ran for two seasons, but it stands as a worthwhile spin-off of the main show.

Is Jase Robertson Homeless?

Despite his shaggy appearance, Jase Robertson is a multimillionaire who could easily afford a sizeable mansion. He could have — and, in fact, did — fooled employees working at the Trump International Hotel in New York, however. In 2015, the high-profile Duck Dynasty star was mistaken for a homeless man by the concierge of the ritzy New York hotel and swiftly asked to leave. In reality, he wasn’t so much “asked to leave” as he was firmly escorted to the door by a member of hotel security. Everything worked out in the end, though, as this incident allowed Jase to form a close relationship with the men who would later to run the White House. 

Keeping Up with Korie

It isn’t just the men of Duck Dynasty that have remained in the public eye since the end of the show: Korie Robertson, wife of the Duck Commander himself, made a splash in the world of southern-influenced litterateur in 2017 with the release of her parenting guide titled Strong and Kind: Raising Kids of Character. The Robertson family may occasionally catch flack for their blunt, no-nonsense approach to parenting, but Korie's faith-based approach to child rearing seems to shine a different light on this Louisiana family's nuclear roots.

Princess in Camo

Much like her Duck Dynasty cohort and sister-in-law Korie, Missy Robertson has kept herself busy by releasing a series of child and family-oriented books. Covering various topics and ideals, Missy Robertson is perhaps most well-known for her Princess in Camo series of children’s novellas. Co-authored by her daughter Mia, the Princess in Camo books are a semi-autobiographical exploration of the worlds of faith, southern culture, and of course, faith. While not necessarily a recommended read for everyone, this quirky franchise of books may be worth a look to Duck Dynasty fans with young kids.

Leaving the Beard Behind

In September of 2017, Jase Robertson did the unthinkable and actually went clean-shaven in support of a charity organization which he helped to create. Mia Moo, an organization dedicated to the advancement of research and treatment of cleft lip and palate — a relatively common malformation of the upper lip and palate of some newborns — was started in an effort to support Jase’s daughter Mia, who was born with the complication. Though it was all for a good cause and generated quite the buzz at the time, Jase probably received a bit of a shock after catching a glimpse of his bald face in the mirror for the first time.

Being Fearless

Though perhaps unlikely given the relatively gruff, unrefined ways of some of the elder Robertson family members, rhetorical tradition may actually be a gene carried down through the family line (though most likely recessive). Sadie Robertson, one of five children reared by Willie and Korie Robertson, is perhaps most famous for a slew of self-help books she managed to pen in recent years. Her most famous work, Living Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion, and Purpose has, among a number of television and film appearances, greatly bolstered her stock as a burgeoning creative mind.

References: usmagazine.com, looper.com,