Photos reveal what the men of Duck Dynasty fame looked like before growing their signature facial hair.
While beards have never completely been out of style, the men of Duck Dynasty can likely be credited for making them cool. Fans may be surprised to find out that the Robertson clan and some of their Duck Commander staff didn’t boast such impressive facial hair until shortly before gaining television fame.
In fact, Phil first started growing his beard out during duck season to help him camouflage. His sons followed suit and when the television networks came calling, the Robertson men were fully embracing what would become their signature look.
From Robertson family patriarch Phil, his brother Si, and sons Jase, Willie, and Jep to Duck Commander staffers and family friends John Godwin and Justin Martin, we’ve dug up some of the best photos of the guys long before they had beards. And some of them are unrecognizable! Check out the photos and learn a little more about each of the guys below.
Phil Robertson
Phil Robertson, family patriarch and the brain behind the Duck Commander brand, was a standout college football player with a lifelong passion for hunting. Robertson reportedly turned down an opportunity to play professionally, instead choosing to become a teacher and a commercial fisherman.
As an avid duck hunter, Phil developed his own duck calls after being unable to find one on the market that he felt was good enough. After being issued a patent for his first call, the Duck Commander company was born.
Prior to his Duck Commander days, Phil Robertson sported a clean-shaven face, a look more suited to his teaching profession. Robertson grew out his facial hair during hunting season and kept it after the success of Duck Dynasty, a reality television show that followed the behind-the-scenes happenings of the Robertson family and Duck Commander.
Phil married his wife, Miss Kay, in 1966. They share four sons: Alan, Jase, Willie, and Jep. Phil also has a daughter, Phyllis, who was born as a result of an affair.
RELATED: PHIL ROBERTSON MEETS THE DAUGHTER HE NEVER KNEW HE HAD
Si Robertson
Si Robertson, best known as Uncle Si to Duck Dynasty viewers, is the younger brother of Phil. Si followed his big brother’s lead and went to college, but dropped out within the first year. He was then drafted by the United States Army and fought in Vietnam.
After retiring from the Army in 1993, Si went to work for Phil at Duck Commander. He became one of Duck Dynasty‘s most beloved characters and went on to appear on other television shows, like Last Man Standing and the movie Faith Of Our Fathers.
RELATED: UNCLE SI SHARES RARE PHOTO OF HIS WIFE
Si has been married to his wife, Christine, since 1971. They have one daughter, Trasa, a son, Scott, and eight grandsons.
Willie Robertson
Willie Robertson is the third of four sons born to Phil and Kay Robertson. He graduated with a degree in business and is considered the mastermind behind the conception of Duck Dynasty. He serves as the CEO for his father’s company, Duck Commander, and his own Buck Commander brand.
In 1992, Willie married Korie Howard. Willie was just 19 and Korie 18 when they said “I do.” The couple share six children: Rebecca, John Luke, Sadie, Bella, Will Jr. (aka Little Will), and Rowdy. Willie and Korie live in West Monroe, Louisiana.
Jase Robertson
Jase Robertson is the second oldest Robertson son. He and his wife Missy live in West Monroe, Louisiana, and share three children: Reed, Cole, and Mia.
Jase served as the COO for Duck Commander and is credited with creating some of the company’s best-selling duck calls. He is also an avid treasure hunter and landed his own Duck Dynasty spinoff called Duck Family Treasure. In the show, Jase and his younger brother Jep go looking for treasure using their metal detectors.
Jase’s love of metal detecting led to a partnership with the Garrett brand for the development of a Jase Robertson signature detector.
Robertson currently hosts the Unashamed podcast along side his dad, Phil, and oldest brother, Alan.
Jep Robertson
Jep Robertson is the youngest son of Phil and Kay. He has been married to his wife, Jessica, since 2001 and they share five children.
Jep serves as a camera man and editor for Duck Commander’s Duckmen DVD series. During the first few seasons of Duck Dynasty, Jep is seen on camera less than his brothers, only appearing at family dinners and working in the duck call room.
By season 4, Jep was a central figure in the series. After Duck Dynasty ended, Jep and Jessica appeared in their own spinoff called Jep & Jessica: Growing The Dynasty. He is one of the few Robertson family members who no longer resides in Lousiana. He now lives in Austin, Texas, with his family.
John Godwin
John Godwin began working for Phil Robertson at Duck Commander in 2002. At the time, he was one of only a few employees who weren’t family members. He married his wife Paula in 1989.
Godwin was a fixture on Duck Dynasty throughout the show’s run. According to the Duck Commander website, John’s duties include “building duck calls, managing supplies, and overseeing the shipping department.”
Few photos exist of Godwin without any facial hair. He chooses to sport an impressive goatee as opposed to a full beard like most of his Duck Dynasty co-stars.
Justin Martin
Justin Martin is the General Manager at Duck Commander. He was a regular on Duck Dynasty where the rest of the cast simply called him by his last name.
In an interview with A&E, Martin recalled meeting the Robertsons for the first time. He also shared that he was in high school at the time and wasn’t allowed to have a beard, but he grew one as soon as he was able.
He told the network that he’s found some interesting things in his beard, aka “grown man’s bib,” over the years and says that it helps keep his shirt clean. “It keeps cheese dip, ice cream, spaghetti, and so on from getting on your shirt, so that’s handy. I’ve found a tick or two in there and, of course, those pesky duck lice.”
Justin and his wife, Brittany, are parents of twin boys.
Watch Willie Robertson talk to Tucker Carlson about the origin of Duck Dynasty in the video below.